Lighting spectrum question, please advice...

[eisaiasjr]

Hello:

I am wondering what type of lighting setup would better fit a 24 gal nano reef tank.

I have a choice between:

a) single 150w 14k HQI, or
b) single 150w 20k HQI, or
c) double 70w (one 14k + one 20k)

Would the difference in spectrums benefit the coral? or should i just strive to go for the highest spectrum possible + the highest wattage possible?

...also, what is the purpuse or Actinic bulbs? is it just to make it look better or does it add a different type of beneficial lightning to the coral?


Regards,

Estefano

 

[bluewatr24]

its watts that matter the spectrum is for your viewing, 10k do give better growth but with less color 20k just more blue, than a 10k yellow, 14k nice combo. Actinics bring out the colors you would not see with your own eye. I run 250w se 20k on my 24G AP.

 

[ReefWreak]

I would say in a nano, your biggest concern will not be growth, because if it is, you'll run out of room very quickly, and will be having to add additives all the time to keep the growth up.

That being said, the spectrum choice really is up to you and how you want to see your tank colored. Some like the bluer look of 20k, and it'll make your corals flouresce more, but you may not want that blue, so you can go with 14k.

I would not go with double 70ws. I'm also torn about even recommending 150w, as when I added my 150w, it came at a time when my xenia melted away because of another thing in the tank, so I had a big release of nutrients, and at the same time a significant increase in available lighting, which just made my entire tank blow up into a big ball of bryopsis. It never recovered after a year or so of inconsistent water changes, manual removal, and the addition of an algae blenny.

You just have to be very careful about parameter swings. Nanos are very delicate like that. It's hard enough keeping parameters stable under PCs, but once you add MH, everything will go twice as fast.

Also, don't forget the temperature issues that MH will add.