PC SPS tanks??

[beedyb220]

I have seen the forum with the T5 only SPS tanks and was wondering if the same thing can be accomplished by PC lights? I have a 55g and was looking at that option. T5's are hard to find locally.

Thanks

 

[lat0403]

Certain SPS could probably survive under PC lighting. I don't know that anything would do that well. I'd look into buying online, if I had to.

 

[fish2]

u would just need to put them up high, with good flow and water params. are you going to use 2 bulb or 4 bulb version. if 4 bulb youll be punching close to 250 watts

 

[smcdonn]

I put a small sps frag in my 20 gallon with 120watts of PC's on it and it doesn't look nearly as good as it does in my 75 with halides.

 

[fish2]

thats because you 120 will only penetrate about 6 inches if you lucky. with intense light that is

 

[BradsOcean]

what kinds of sps can you have with 4 watts a gallon pc?

 

[six.line]

Uhmmm...

You're coming at it from the wrong angle.

There's no list of corals that do well under these lights and do not under those lights. MH easily satisfies the lighting needs of corals. This doesn't mean that other lights do not satisfy the needs of corals. A guy in my local reef club runs VHO only and has marvelous growth of SPS. He's had some success with PC, but not as much.

I wouldn't recommend PC for SPS. The coral might survive, but it probably won't grow and more than likely will lose all color.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Yes, SPS can survive under PC's. Some better than others. But the lack of growth and overall stress on the coral isn't worth it. For the price it costs to purchase PC's now-a-days, you can buy a whole T5HO setup, or even Metal Halides if you know where to look. In short, don't risk it and either don't get SPS or wait until you upgrade your lights.

 

[BradsOcean]

Well, I dont think there are any t5's that fit in a 12g nano cube hood. I was just wondering what kind to get if I decide to experiment with my PC's. What sps will have the best chance at surviving and looking good with my lighting?