Is this light sufficient?

[ScubaPrawn]

Hi, I'm considering upgrading from a FOWLR to a mixed reef tank w/ 2x150w HQI and 5x54w T5's. With that fixture on a 60x18x26 tank would I be able to grow SPS?

 

[CMcNeil]

it would grow sps but the corals would be best if placed high up in the tank for maximum PAR.my buddy had a tank that size with sps everywhere and he only ran 2 175w halides.

 

[allsps40]

Keep the sps up higher and you should be fine. I used 2 150s on a 13 inch tall tank and grow sps mid way down no problem. With 5 T5s also you will be fine.

 

[ScubaPrawn]

Sorry the 5/T5 thing was a typo. It only has 4 T5s and 2x150 HQI. Sounds like it shouldn't be problem though if I put the SPS up top.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Acrotrdco]

Growing SPS is one thing, wanting them to color up is another.

Your fixtures probably would be enough to not kill the SPS but they'll most likely turn into brown sticks after a few weeks.

 

[ScubaPrawn]

Growing SPS is one thing, wanting them to color up is another.

Your fixtures probably would be enough to not kill the SPS but they'll most likely turn into brown sticks after a few weeks.

Um yeah that is a big deal. I definitely don't want to just keep SPS on life support here....I'd like them to be brightly colored.

Is this not a possibility with this light, even if they're placed on the high parts of the LR?

 

[Acrotrdco]

Well to be honest, I've seen folks with tank of your size (5') using 2x 250w MH with 2x to 4x T5HO, and some would even consider 2x 400w MH and still think it's not an overkill, so having just 2x 150w would be okay if you're keeping LPS only.

However 2x 400w MH will burn a hole in your pocket when you receive your next energy bill, so if I were you I'd definitely look into alternatives like, tada, LED's.

 

[sirreal63]

Growing SPS is one thing, wanting them to color up is another.
Your fixtures probably would be enough to not kill the SPS but they'll most likely turn into brown sticks after a few weeks.

The tank below is a standard 125, lit by 150 watters on each end and a 250 in the middle with one 6' VHO actintic. As you can see, everything is brown and barely alive, oh wait...they aren't brown and even have some color under 10k's. All corals were started as small frags. No offense intended but if you have no experience with 150 watt bulbs, or do not understand that wattage does not always equate to par then you are not really being helpful. Photos with a point and shoot and does show how colorful the tank really was.

With the right setup, 150 watters can put out more par than 250 watters. The OP has an HQI ballast, 4-54 watt T5's and can certainly grow colorful sps in his tank. It is more than enough light. It may not be ideal but to say it won't work with no experience with the bulbs is just irresponsible. The combination he has will work. I think your LED lit tank is gorgeous, but there are other options besides LED's.

 

[ScubaPrawn]

Wow thanks for the pics. That's reassuring. I plan on putting the SPS near the top of the LR so hopefully I can get some good color. I'm worried about trying to keep clams, but we'll see what happens....it sounds like it's a pretty decent lighting system anyways.

Right now I only have a one strip 18'' T8 on my fowlr lol

 

[sirreal63]

At 26" tall it is pushing it but if you stick with high par bulbs you can do it.

 

[ScubaPrawn]

At 26" tall it is pushing it but if you stick with high par bulbs you can do it.

Are talking about the clams or just a mixed reef in general?

 

[sirreal63]

Clams on sand, but you could put some rock dwellers in. In general 26" is pushing it for anything but lower light corals on the sand with 150 watters.

 

[ScubaPrawn]

Gotcha, thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[Acrotrdco]

You've 2x 150w and 1x 250w with 1x VHO.

The OP only had 2x 150w with 5x T5 (not knowing how he position the T5's).

Both your tanks are approx 125G so I'd assume it's of similar dimension, that 250w of yours is making a whole world of difference.

 

[sirreal63]

It did make a difference, the corals under the 150's grew better. His tank is 5', the 125 is 6' and the 250 was in a ROIII reflector, which is a spotlight, it did not cover the 6' length but barely 2' of that 6'. The 150's were in LAIII Mini's, granted my reflectors were better but to say 150's grow brown sticks shows a lack of understanding and inexperience (at least with halides). There have been many beautiful tanks over the years run with 150's.

I find it odd that a proponent of LED's doesn't grasp the concept of good par with less watts. The OP has an advantage with the 4-54 watt T5's and while it is not the ideal setup for a 26" tall tank, it will work with the right bulb combination.

 

[ritter6788]

Ask this guy if 150's will grow nice sps.

http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2008_august/

I would not recommend them for the tank in question though. It can be done but they would need to be under the lighting and possibly mid to top of the tank. I grow sps fine under my 150's. Good growth and no color issues.

 

[allsps40]

Growing SPS is one thing, wanting them to color up is another.

Your fixtures probably would be enough to not kill the SPS but they'll most likely turn into brown sticks after a few weeks.

I disagree and my experience say other wise. I had very colorful sps under just 2 150w with Coralife 20k bulbs. I can provide pics if wanted. Again with the T5s just choose bulbs wisely, and the 2 150s you will be fine keeping sps up higher and in the tank. If you are in doubt Just go with 2 250s IMO that would be a better choice over the 150s for the size tank.