Lighing for Zoas

[Logzor]

I am new to reefing. I currently have a 55 gallon fitted with a Jbj 4x65 PC fixture. 40 lbs of liverock and 25 lbs of livesand.

Will this be enough lighting to grow large zoa colonies?

Thanks,
Logan

 

[aquarius77]

This is hard to answer. Are they 4 foot bulbs?

I want to say no thats not enough but it might be enough to keep them alive if they are up top.

 

[Dr Begalke]

i think that'll be enough light to grow zoas.

 

[Roger928]

You didn't mention the bulb mix, but even with 50% actinic is plenty of light for Zoas on 55.

 

[Lytehouse]

From what I've seen it is enough light to keep them alive and grow, usually more slowly. The MH and T5's, seems to me, to bring out better coloration. I have pc lighting and even have to put some zoa's lower in tank because they close up. When friends with T5's have the same pieces, theirs have more vibrant and deeper color.

So I'd say, yes you can keep them, however....

 

[Ontosrob]

The short answer is yes. You will need to locate them higher in the tank.

 

[Logzor]

The fixture has 4 22" bulbs, two are 10k and the other two are actinic.

I want to upgrade to a T5 or MH but most of the fixtures I have found are too wide for my tank. I wanted to get this aquamedic setup someone was selling but that fixture is 13.75 inches while my tank is only 12.2 inches wide.

I have also consdered two clip on MH (175w). If I had those I am guessing I would need another smaller fixture that is actinic.

Thanks for the advice though,
Logan

 

[msn711]

I don't know if they make a 14k Phoenix 175w, but you could do 2x150w MH with 14k Phoenix bulbs and you wouldn't even need actinics.

 

[MikePowell]

I am pretty sure that phoenix does not make a 175w bulb b/c it is DE not SE. They do have 150 and 250. I use a phoenix 14k with geisman actinics and my zoas colors are poppin! my tank is only 12 deep and my MH is about 12 inches from the water surface. i would go with the 2- 150w Phoenix and use some actinics. IMO

 

[RScovi]

That is enough. Just play around with placement in the tank. Each colony will want have its own happy place.