Do I have enough light

[seanbugeja]

Hey everyone. I recently bought the newa 50r. Its a masterpiece aquairum but Im unsure if it gives enough light for my soft corals. Currently have mushrooms, zoanthids, gsp and a leather.

It says it gives off 7w of light with 18 white leds and 6 actinic leds. My photo period is 8 hours full light and 2 hours actinic....1 hour before and 1 hour after.

Is this enough light? Because im seeing the zoas stretch towards the light and they are in the middle of the tank.

Thanks

 

[wrott]

I don't think so, even for a 50L tank 7w is not even enough for plants.

 

[seanbugeja]

How many Watts should I be looking for?

 

[Subsea]

It is more complicated than that. Light is not as critical on being nutrient rich for your softies. Make sure to use GAC.

I run 55G growout tanks with 80W. Do the math.

 

[seanbugeja]

Can you be more specific? Im a newbie and have no idea what to look for. Thanks

 

[wrott]

I suggest 20-50w LED for a 13g tank, depending on dimensions.
I think what Subsea means is that soft corals like zoas need NO3 and PO4 in abundance to thrive--and light.
I believe he means that he runs 80w LED over a 55g macro algae tank?.?
If your corals survive under 7w, let them be. You just will not have much growth.

 

[seanbugeja]

Thank you

 

[seanbugeja]

Does the light colour make any difference? Should it be White, acitnic? Thanks guys

 

[kevin j.]

I think you should find some good articles on reef lighting and start reading. Or on YouTube find some videos to better understand. This research will go a long way.

 

[Uncle99]

I am not sure how big your tank is...
But expect to have 150-165 watts LED for each 24" X 24" X 24" of tank.
That usually approx 55 LED's at 3 watts each....

Lights like this can run from 150 to 600 bucks.

Corals mostly benefit from the blues.....