sps and lights

[Chloe1]

Does anyone grow sps with t5's and 150w mh?
How are the colors on the corals and do they grow very well?

 

[wld1783]

Possible in a nano but most use at least 250 watt MH.

Bill

 

[billsreef]

It all depends on what tank size as what lighting will do best. In a relatively shallow tank, 150w MH's and t5's will grow anything well

 

[diverdick]

Ditto on last post. My son is growing SPS (Miili) under a two bulb T5 light strip. Its a 30 long with good skimming and additives. The growth is outstanding. Trippled in size since Novemeber 07'

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12291039#post12291039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by diverdick
Ditto on last post. My son is growing SPS (Miili) under a two bulb T5 light strip. Its a 30 long with good skimming and additives. The growth is outstanding. Trippled in size since Novemeber 07'

Now thats impressive. That must be some sort of record or something for 'lowest wattage per gallon'...lol. Seriously, thats like 2.6 watts per gallon (dont lecture me on watts per gallon, you KNOW I KNOW, but its still interesting to consider in this case).

 

[liveforphysics]

I'm growing with T5HO and 70w MH on my 310gal SPS reef.

It's been fantastic, I'm very pleased.

I used 4x400w MH on the tank at first, then 12 x 54wT5HO. Growth and colors under the T5's have been much better. Obviously bulb choice has a huge impact on these things.

Currently I use 4x70w MH for actinic suplimentation and the T5HO for main lighting. I'm as pleased with this setup as I've ever been with all my lighting setups over the years.

Best Wishes,
-Luke

 

[liveforphysics]

Hanns- Since my T5HO bank is only on for 70% of the photo period, my lighting is roughly 2.36w/gal. Not that w/gal matters in any way

 

[Mattmcf]

T5's can work... I believe that light is only part of the puzzle with SPS. With good flow, good feedings, and good water parameters you can accomplish a lot. Check out the tank in the "coral propagation forum" under "Coral maternity in Portugal". Tell that guy you have to have halides!

 

[codeblued]

Color great with 150w HQI

Color great with 150w HQI

140gallon 24 inches deep with 2X 150watt HQI and 4 X 48 inch T5's. I have great color on my open brains and actually just rehabbed someone elses that had lost 80% of its color and some of its tissue with bare skeleton showing through. It is SO BRIGHT red and green with almost total recovery of tissue which is also puffing out now and wasn't at first. I have also a green and red open brain whose soft tissue is probably 40% growth in 5 months, also for that amount of time had frogspawn, flower pot. New elegans seems to be doing well.

 

[kmf507]

I've got some great SPS growth on 150s. Just have to mount them on the top half of the tank.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

One of the most beautiful purple and blue Acropora I've ever seen was grown by a friend under power compacts (the coral was within ~8" of the bulbs). The idea that polyp size means a darn thing about husbandry needs will get you into trouble

There are lots of corals that will do very, very well under moderate lighting. There are others that will do better under brighter lighting. Polyp size, however, has nothing to do with it.

Pavona, most Montipora, Turbinaria, most faviids, many Acropora, most Pocillopora, Stylophora and Seriatopora, etc., etc. do wonderfully under moderate lighting. In fact, many corals will be significantly harmed by very bright lighting.

 

[ahullsb]

150 watt halides and t5's

<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/ahullsb/aquarium/november%202007/?action=view&current=DSC_0114.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/ahullsb/aquarium/november%202007/DSC_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
It's now the largest sps in the tank. Top center after about a year. I think you will be just fine!
<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/ahullsb/aquarium/February%202008/?action=view&current=DSC_0020.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/ahullsb/aquarium/February%202008/DSC_0020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[A.T.T.R]

i had luck in my 150 with sps near the bottom of the tank using vhos's( 7 bulbs)

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12470934#post12470934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmf507
I've got some great SPS growth on 150s. Just have to mount them on the top half of the tank.

I agree--I have a 28 inch high tank--I build the reef high and place the sps corals on top of it--about 8-12 inches from the mh's

 

[bdare]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12473730#post12473730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCsaxmaster
One of the most beautiful purple and blue Acropora I've ever seen was grown by a friend under power compacts (the coral was within ~8" of the bulbs). The idea that polyp size means a darn thing about husbandry needs will get you into trouble

There are lots of corals that will do very, very well under moderate lighting. There are others that will do better under brighter lighting. Polyp size, however, has nothing to do with it.

Pavona, most Montipora, Turbinaria, most faviids, many Acropora, most Pocillopora, Stylophora and Seriatopora, etc., etc. do wonderfully under moderate lighting. In fact, many corals will be significantly harmed by very bright lighting.

Which corals don't like really bright lighting?? I have a few that aren't doing too well while others flourish. I have a blue millie right next to a blue tort and the millie is bleached. I'm also having trouble with tennius and a purple monster.

I have a single 250W Phoenix 14K and 2x39W t5s (blue+ and aquablue) over a 40Breeder

Ben

 

[bdare]

DOH!