Lighting for LPS

[CapitalO]

Hi, I have a 29G tank (18" deep) that im in the process of setting up. I would really like to keep mainly LPS corals (Caulastrea sp., Plerogyra sp., Favites sp. etc.) and maybe a few zoo's and softies. Im trying to work on a budget and im leaning towards a 2x65W PC fixture (1x10k + 1xactinic O3). Ive heard mixed responses on whether this is sufficient lighting for most LPS coral.... im not too concerned with rapid growth as long as the corals are happy. Id really like to avoid MH due to my budget and heat issues. Any ideas??

 

[JmLee]

well i think you can get away with PCS if you have enough.... or better yet T5's. But even some SPS dont need that much lighting.

 

[CapitalO]

Yea I definitly am going with PCs, but is a 2x65W enough? this would give me 130W total which would be about 4.5W/gallon (I know people dont use this rule anymore.. but im just throwing some numbers around )

 

[David Grigor]

For most LPS, what you describe will be fine.

Over the many years, I've used PC/VHO/T5s and every MH wattage imaginable. My favorite lighting for LPS dominate tank is still VHOs on an icecap ballast using URI ( now UVI ) brand bulbs. I tried T5s for a little more than a year and switched back.

PCs is probably my least favorite.

 

[mattgreene22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7076083#post7076083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by David Grigor
For most LPS, what you describe will be fine.

Over the many years, I've used PC/VHO/T5s and every MH wattage imaginable. My favorite lighting for LPS dominate tank is still VHOs on an icecap ballast using URI ( now UVI ) brand bulbs. I tried T5s for a little more than a year and switched back.

PCs is probably my least favorite.

Is this because of looks, coral health, or other reasons? Just wondering...it'd be good to know what reason(s) were importanct to you.

 

[reefgeek84]

You will be more then find with those...my nano is living proof that you do not need a ton of lighting....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=813466

That is only 30watts and its about 11" so 130watts and 18" will be fine.

A note-I have sps in there and it does great.

 

[Ti]

PC FTW

 

[CapitalO]

Wow, thats impressive, what type of light are you using? What type of SPS do you keep? Ive been considering using a 10k and a 50/50 bulb (instead of entirely actinic) to produce better PAR.

 

[reefgeek84]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7078833#post7078833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CapitalO
Wow, thats impressive, what type of light are you using? What type of SPS do you keep? Ive been considering using a 10k and a 50/50 bulb (instead of entirely actinic) to produce better PAR.

I use a 50/50 and a 18,000k. its monti dig... It is going well, slowing growing. everything else is doing incredible.

 

[Sula]

I have a 29g tank with 225 watts of VHO. The LPS I have are frogspawn (X2), hammer, torch, candy cane and blastos. All seem to love the light. Also have a monti cap and a new digitata doing very well...just to give you another option to think about

 

[ri]

I like VHO myself. In addition to being very bright, they seem to be more durable.

ri

 

[CapitalO]

Yea, I would like to get a light with around 200W idealy, but theres a huge price gap between having 2 PC bulbs versus 3, which is kind of bizarre... (Ive had luck with PCs so I'll stick with what works for me ). I saw a coralife 2x96 fixture on ebay for a reasonable price a while ago, but havnt seen any around recently

 

[The Marmot]

I keep mostly LPS and some SPS in a 8 gallon Nano with nothing but 64 watts PC, 2 X 32w. I've got excellent growth on my Acan's, Echino, and Monti Digi. LPS will do fine under PC, you may consider upgrading to 4 X 65w though. Also, weekly water changes will do wonders.

 

[AquariumPerson]

on my 75 all i have is one atentic vho and one atentic white vho. everything does fine and thrives...

I really think lighting is over rated

 

[CapitalO]

It seems like for all the reasearch I do theres always mixed opinions about lighting for LPS coral, some say they require lots of light to thrive, others claim to have excellent results with moderate to low light. I would assume this has a lot to do with water quality... (possibly they prefer slighty more nutrients in the water than other stony corals? I suppose large polyps hint towards a large appetite for nutrients vs. light.. but im sure theres variation with each species...) Anyway, I think im going to go with the 2x65W rig and I'll do some experimentation with water quality and see what works best for me.

 

[The Marmot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7102677#post7102677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CapitalO
(possibly they prefer slighty more nutrients in the water than other stony corals? I suppose large polyps hint towards a large appetite for nutrients vs. light.. but im sure theres variation with each species...)

yes they do, thats not to say they like it so nutrient rich that there are particles floating around, but yes they do like the water have a bit more in it than SPS...as for the varity of opinions about light...most LPS will do fine in wide range of light configurations... you do have enough.