I wanted to buy some SPS frags online, but I have a question about lighting. If I buy some online being grown under 400w halides, will they fail under T5 lighting? My LFS grows them under T5's and they do fine in my tank, but I'm worried SPS used to super intense lighting will fail in my setup. (Red Sea Max 250, 6x39).
Question about buying SPS..
- Thread starter IdahoGuy
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greg1786
Active member
Ive bought a bunch of sps in the past that were under mh and ive always run t5s without a problem. So long as you have enough par from quality bulbs, stable params , and good flow i dont see a problem. Placement is a big key for your corals but theres alot of other factors. Some sps are more forgiving and will do well under less intense lights while others are not and wont do well without a ton of light. Start with something easy like a birds nest and go from there. If your coral is coming from a tank with 400watt mh than you should prob place it high up in your tank from the start and monitor it, moving it accordingly if you have issues. For example if you run a 4x54 watt 48" t5ho fixture over a 4 foot tank and you buy a birds nest kept under power compacts placed low in the aquarium, you would want to start in low in your aquarium and acclimate it by slowly raising it a few inches each week until u get it where it will thrive best. There are really so many factors that we could better help you if you tell us what type of sps your planning and your tank dimensions and the fixture you have over your tank. Anyhow good luck!
Oh, you asked for tank dimensions. It's a Red Sea Max 250(65 gallons) but I'm not sure of the measurements, I'll look it up. Lighting is 6x39 T5 with stock bulbs. Bulbs are only 3-4 months old but I'm planning on getting new ones with next coral order. Been reading the T5 thread on the other forum for what type of combo but it's a little confusing. Maybe I should order 8 bulbs and play around with it.
bshow24
Member
Bulb wise it all depends on the "look" you want. If you want a more blue look or if you want that washed put with some white.
I prefer the blue look, and run 4 ati lights: 2 blue+, one purple+ and one coral+. I have several SPS (montipora setosa, green monti, cali tort, pink birdsnest) and all are thriving under these lights. With 2 more slots, I personally would throw in another blue plus, maybe even 2, and if not I would throw in a blue plus and a purple plus.
If you like a more white effect, I would run with my setup using the blue plus as actinic, but then get 2 aquablue specials (these lights arent blue like the name seems) this should be ideal for you. And remember, these are ATI light bulbs, ATI makes some of the best t5 bulbs. But with that, you should not have an issue with SPS
I prefer the blue look, and run 4 ati lights: 2 blue+, one purple+ and one coral+. I have several SPS (montipora setosa, green monti, cali tort, pink birdsnest) and all are thriving under these lights. With 2 more slots, I personally would throw in another blue plus, maybe even 2, and if not I would throw in a blue plus and a purple plus.
If you like a more white effect, I would run with my setup using the blue plus as actinic, but then get 2 aquablue specials (these lights arent blue like the name seems) this should be ideal for you. And remember, these are ATI light bulbs, ATI makes some of the best t5 bulbs. But with that, you should not have an issue with SPS
