Lighting for zoanthids

[smketyr]

I am starting up a frag tank the is exclusively for zoanthinds. The tank dimensions are 48"x36"x13". I want to use metal halides. The question I have are 2x250w 10K HQI to strong, I have also considered 3x150w 10K HQI. Will have T5 actinic either way.

Is the 250w to strong? Any suggestions. I am looking for growth for fragging and trading.

Thanks

 

[Reef Junkie]

If those dimensions are LxHxD then that is fine.
If it's LxDxH like a shallow tub, then T-5's would be fine.

 

[hrstrnr]

Yeah, if you only have 13" of Height, 250w's would blister some zoa's... 150w's might as well... Stick with t5's... They'll be cheaper for you in the long run...

 

[geoxman]

I have a 36inX36inX11in tank that I have under 250w 14k DE and I will be going to 400w 20k SE with lumenarc this weekend. You wont blister any zoos either, just acclimate them to the light. Good luck on your descision and I have found better growth/color in most of my zoos under more watts and higher K.
I would go with the (1) 250 and (1) 150 for the zoos that do better under medium to high light. JMHO

 

[Reef Junkie]

Geo,
Be careful with that 400 watter and the luminarc.
I have that exact lighting arrangement and I had my paly's start to bleach and zoas curl. And they were out of the hot spot. The zoas/palys I got were from 250watt MH & T-5 lighted tanks.

Awesome setup btw, I love the coverage I get from the luminarc.

 

[geoxman]

My new tank is a top down view tank only-it is all black 3/4 acrylic with no euro bracing and the tank sits about belt high and the new reflector will be about 18-20 inches above water level. With my 250 PFO HQI ballast & Reefoptic pendant I was not getting enough light and my zoos and ricordia were really stretching for more.
I know I will be overshooting my tank perimeters with it hung at that height, but since I am top down view only I don't have many other choices other than 400w. I have purchased 2 different bulbs the xm 20k and the xm 15k to see which has better color on my M59 ballast.
I also have set up my new tank with black carib sea and that seems to suck the light.
I am looking forward to using the new reflector! I fired it up the other day it was amazing.

Smketyr- I still say use one 250 and one 150 14k for the frag tank. You will need it for a 48X36in tank and even at 13 in height you will be placing them up higher in the tank under the 150. Since you already have them why not use them!! JMHO and good luck with the new set up!

 

[Reef Junkie]

That sound pretty sweet. I'm sure the zoas will really stand out against the black sand.
Definitely post some pictures as soon as that puppy is up.

 

[rsteagall]

Yes... words are nothing without pictures.

... thats why no one ever listens to me.

 

[smketyr]

The tank is 13 inches in height. It will be a DIY 1/2 inch glass tank. I will be up in the blue spectrum. The zoos I have now are under a 10K MH no actinic and are growing, but not as well as when there was when they were under VHO actinic and super actinics. When the build starts I will post pics. I still am undesided on what wattage. I have yet to see much under the T5 in person. Doing a little research on them.

Thanks for all the input keep it coming. Share pics!

 

[kpax]

My best Zoa growth has come from my 440 watts of VHO lighting. I use 2 aquasun 10K URI bulbs and 2 Super actinic URI bulbs.