SPS and Power Compacts?

[nillan00]

Hey Everyone!

I am very confused and figured that this would be the perfect place for some answers, so thanks in advance! I run a 75 gallon reef aquarium that is lit by 6x65 watt power compacts (so 390 watts for those of you who don't enjoy math).

I would be interested in trying out SPS, but only if this is fair to the corals of course. Everyone that sells SPS tells me that it would be fine provided that i place them at the top of the tank, however, I keep reading that they need MH. So, I'm confused and wonder if anyone knows of someone who has been successful with SPS under PCs.

Thanks!

Nilla

 

[SunnyX]

The form of light really doesn't matter as long as the corals are receiving a sufficient amount Lumen's and PAR.

You will find many examples of reefs that have been setup with MH, T5 or even VHO. I personally have never test PC lighting with SPS but given the amount of PC lighting you have over your tank you should be able to maintain SPS in the upper portion of your tank.

Maintaining and thriving are two different things. Obviously the best solution would be to use MH or T5 lighting, but PC may suffice. If possible see if you can obtain a small coral fragment, say a Green Slimer or Monti Digitata. Place the fragment under your current lighting and observe it. If the coral does not brown out then you should be good to go with SPS.

But please do not focus so much on lighting, there are many other parameters that need to be kept in check. No matter what lighting system you may have it all comes down to water quality and clarity. If your water is full of yellowing agents and Phenol then no amount of light will help. If your water is as clear as possible then it makes your job a whole lot easier.

 

[Amphiprion]

From what I have seen, you should not have any real issues with many species. I would do as SunnyX said and keep them in the upper regions of the tank. I don't want to get into the whole living/thriving argument because it can be subjective, however I have seen reasonable growth rates (though maybe not excellent color) under enough power compact lighting.

 

[Rungeg]

I actually ran that exact setup for about 4 years, and my Monti, acro, etc. did grow and thrive. The colors are not as vivid as they are now ( Ijust switched to 2x 150 DE) I would encourage you to try the montis first, then maybe switch one day, after you know taht is what you want to keep. Definately put them in the top third of your tank.

 

[duec22]

In our club I know of two people that have sps under PC lighting. One is a 29gal with 260W PC over it. He's got acro's, and monti's that are both growing great and keeping good color. And my friend is running a 8gal with 32w PC over it. He's got two colors of monti. digi. that are both growing and maintaing good color also. They did lose a bit of color going from my 29 with T-5 to the 8gal w/ PC, but still look really good.

 

[loknar28]

What PC fixture can handle 260 watts in that small of a tank footprint. I have a 28gal bow tank and the best I can find is a aqualight with 2 x 65watts. I would love to know where to get more light on my tank and not go with super hot MH.

 

[duec22]

What are the dimentions on your tank...I know on my 29 I could fit 4 pc strips....4x65W = 260W...
You may have a hell of a time with that bow front to fit more than three strips..

 

[mgrove]

i own a 12 gal with 96wpc and have no issuse with growth or color my 2 diffrent monti are allmost aco killers they grow so fast and i have ora blue torts and a pink birds nest that started brown and now pink green slimer and so on

 

[mikekman]

Its possible to keep sps with PC lighting. Definiately your going to have to place the corals in the upper regions. I've had 300+ watts of PC lighting over a 65 gallon and the montis did well but the acros started to brown out.

I now have 195 watts of T5 lighting (5x39) and my acros are doing awesome.

You may want to just get T5 and not waste electricity and bulbs on PC's.