Light for QT with SPS

[Whys]

How much light do I need to keep SPS in a 10g QT? I'm currently considering the 20" PC 40w single or 80w dual satellite from Current USA.

Single:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CU01002~idCartRow~15282678~isKit~0.html

Dual:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CU01012~idCartRow~15282337~isKit~0.html

 

[kretzkiller]

you need at least t5. spend the extra money.

 

[Whys]

Nonsense. I'm a fan of T5 as much as anyone else, but the name of the game is lumens. I'm not worried about the cost, but the PC fixture is more practical for my application. All I'm asking is do I need the 80 watts or will 40 suffice? My LFS believes 40 should do, but I want more opinions.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

What types of SPS? What lighting are they under now? How close will they be to the lights in your QT? Why are you QT'ing and for how long?

 

[returnofsid]

For a QT tank, you'll be just fine with PC lighting. It's a short term lighting scenario and the amount of time that they'd be "light deprived," if they even are, may cause them to "brown out" a little, but once put in the display, they'll color back up quickly. As for your fixture selection, if you were to go with the dual bulb fixture, I'd consider making both bulbs white bulbs (10K) or so. You really don't need any actinic look in a QT tank.

 

[Whys]

Thanks for asking der_wille_zur_macht, I don't actually have anything in particular in mind at the moment. I wish to learn the QT process and will be QT'ing everything I buy from here on out. I want my QT setup to be able to handle anything I might throw at it, within reason.

It sounds like I should go with the dual fixture, but that will likely cover the entire top of my 10g, leaving no room for a small in-tank skimmer should I want to cure liverock.

It seems difficult to find the appropriate light fixture for SPS in a 10g. I didn't really want to hang a pendant. Any suggestions?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

There aren't many. Basically, you have two choices - 1) go high end, i.e. a 70w MH pendant or LED. This gets you the intensity, but is expensive and a bit overkill. 2) Use less efficient means, like PC. This will be less intense, or at least due to inefficiency will introduce other problems (heat) once you get enough of it to be intense enough.

I'll echo a comment I made in your other QT thread - make sure you're QT'ing for a purpose, and not just to QT. In other words, if you're gonna hold SPS in your QT, learn what to look for first, and how long to hold it there. IMHO most of the common problems that you'd look for can be spotted by a trained eye in a specimen bag, which means it's pretty safe to acclimate and just transfer SPS to your display.

 

[Whys]

I hear what you're saying and I agree. But in some respects, for the moment at least, QT'ing is a purpose in of itself. I need to at least establish the general process and have the necessary tools. Right now, my display tank is my QT and I want to change that.

I've recently come to the conclusion that successful reef-keeping isn't a matter of equipment, money spent, or even factual knowledge, as much as it is lifestyle. Thus I'm attempting to incorporate the QT process into my lifestyle.

I do intend to learn along the way and thank you for your helpful advice.

I decided on the dual fixture but won't bother replacing the actinic until I have reason.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14792283#post14792283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys

I've recently come to the conclusion that successful reef-keeping isn't a matter of equipment, money spent, or even factual knowledge, as much as it is lifestyle.

This is a very insightful statement and will get you far in the hobby.

I would add to it - incorporating appropriately into your lifestyle. I don't mean to sound repetitive and I mean this in the kindest manner, but make sure you're QT'ing purposefully, and not just to QT. Moving a delicate coral from one "perfect" tank to another "perfect" tank can be a stressful process for the coral - if you insert a vacation in a QT into that move, it potentially magnifies the stress, even if the QT is designed to the best standard.