lighting for crocea and maxima

[flashyleopard]

The minimum recommended lighting requirement for a healthy Crocea is under a 150 watt metal halide of a reliable 14k bulb at a maximum depth of 20 inches, preferably less. To be on the safer side, a 10k bulb is recommended, and is closer to the "true" color of natural sunlight. I have seen some Croceas under 70 watts of halide, but these are normally placed high up in the tank. 70 watt bulbs are also considered by some as the least developed bulb, therefore being more inefficient in terms of their output compared to their 150 watt counter parts. 150 watts of (14k) metal halides would be the minimum “safe” amount of lighting. They will do even better under a 250 watt or 400 watt metal halide. If you are using 250 watts and above, you can place the Crocea even deeper in your tank, or even use 20k bulbs. If using T-5s, make sure the bulbs have individual parabolic reflectors on them, and the clam is placed at the upper half of your tank to be “safe”. Power Compacts will in a lot of cases NOT be adequate for Croceas.
- From the lighting for clams sticky-

Does this mean clams will do ok with 250 watt MH on the bottom of my 27'' deep tank? I am trying to decide if 400 watt halides are a must for this tank, seeing as my sps will be mostly near the top anyway. I don't want to overdo it on lights and not be able to keep mushrooms and softys in the lower parts of the tank.TIA

 

[Jayreefer]

If you are running MH only go 400w. IF you are supplementing with PC,T5, or VHO then use 250w if you want. Personally I like only having to replace 1 bulb.

 

[flashyleopard]

""Even to just at actinics to my 72''X18"X27'' tank would be more expensive, than it should be. I am with you, get me my 400Watt MH and if needed, a higher Kelvin bulb and be done with the lighting issue. I know a tank is a sizeable investment and new the cost getting into it, but why shell out over 1k for fancy combos, when $160.00 MH will do the job and isn't really skimping, like when you buy the cheap skimmer.....skimmers, another thing that has went up in price from 7 years ago...lol $400 is my max on a skimmer too...just gotta draw my lines somewhere.:^)