SPS Coral Care?

[818]

As you all know my 110g should be running up soon.

I was wondering....I will be running 322W PC Lighting. And I couldnt help but I need some SPS i my tank. Do they need intense lighting, what type of flow. Ill have my RO/DI running so water will be pretty clean.

Im guessing of getting this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ODYSSEA-60-322W...753217705QQcategoryZ46314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

What are easy to care for SPS, the easiest!

Some corals I saw in a book that I must have:

Ill number them and tell me wich I would be able to keep under 320PC lighting, strong flow, and Ill be making my own SW with RO/DI.

1.Green Slimer

2.Pinks Bird Nest

3.Green and Red Montipora

That will be all since I want more softies in there.

What type of supplements, reactors, will I need. If there are any awesome looking SPS out there that are easy to take care of let me know.

Thanks

Sam

 

[gregm5]

i would think all of those would be doable. you probably wouldn't need a reactor if you just dose calcium regularly. but i think the monti's would be your best bet. but if you have the money, you should really look into finding yourself some metal halides because sps keeping can become quite addicting. i'll pm you a site that has really affordable mh setups.

 

[Zaphod]

Don't was t your money on power compacts you will regret it later. If you don't want MH get T5. I wasted too much money on PC's when I started. After Upgrading to MH everything looks a million times better.

 

[BlueStag]

OT Nich how is the Blue Tort doing?

 

[Kenfuzed]

The Montiporas will do better than the green slimer and birdsnest. However I second the comment about not wasting your money on PC lighting. Go for T5. Not only will you get more light (par) per watt you can mount them closer to the water surface without worrying about heat like MH. They also last longer. Make sure you get good reflectors like the ones made by IceCap or Sunlight Supply. If going the DIY route look at reefgeek.com or aqualuxlighting.com for T5 stuff.
As far as bulb choice, IMO the T5 actinics are a waste unless you have room and overdrive them on a WorkHorse ballast. They are just dim. The naming of most T5 bulbs can be deceiving. "Aquablue" or "Aquablue+" are actually a 11000k white color (not blue), yet the bulb sold as a "Blue+" or "Actinic Blueplus" is actually blue with an output similar to a Radium. These bulbs are sometimes labeled "Actinic +". The "Actinic Blueplus" is different than the "Pure Actinics". Most of the pure actinics are stated to have a lower peak in the 420nm range but lack strong intensity. My favorite combo is using 1:1 white Aquablue with a Blue+, or the GE midday (65k) with 2 Blue+ (1:2 ratio).
I've spoken with a few people who have done all out SPS tanks with only T5 but it takes a well planned set up with proper reflectors and cooling. T5's last longer if you can keep them cooled.

Just my 2 cents... keep the change

 

[818]

Thanks for the PM's guys.

I guess Ill have to save around 200.00 more dollars to get what I need.

Sam

 

[mikeatjac]

Montiporas and green slimers are not hard SPS to grow. A birdsnest is a little harder but with good lighting and water parameters you should be able with no problems.

Want to see a beautiful tank with T5s;
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=700454

However he changes his T5 bulbs out every 6 months. I think one day T5's will equal MH in value but it is still a alittle ways off.

 

[818]

Yea Iwans tank is out of control!

But my plans are not to go all out SPS right now. This is a big jump from my 30 to my 60 ad now the 110g. I just want those mentioned. Damn that guys tank is insane though!

I saw a nice T5 system on ebay for 700.00 not happening. I need to start looking for alternatives and search for used items.

THanks

Sam

 

[bennyinca]

I agree with the comments on not getting the PC lights, especially the brand you were looking into. Although you can keep any of the SPS alive, you probably will not be happy with the coloration.

Try T5's from aqualux or reefgeek. There are several being sold in the Used Equipment forum also, I have not seen a T5 that costs 700

 

[Kenfuzed]

If you are doing this inside a canopy you can actually do T5 for less than you think. Parts would include a couple WH7 ballasts or 1 IceCap 660, end caps, bulbs, and some wire from home depot. I just added 2 T5's to my prop tank. The WH ballast, 2 bulbs, caps, and piece of reflector cost me around 100 for everything. Those 2 24" bulbs put out as much light as the 250w MH I have, yet the light is more evenly spread. Those who love MH will debate this but when you look at those beautiful Euro tanks you can't argue that T5 is the future.

One last thing and I'll step off my T5 soapbox
T5 is far more energy efficient. I replaced all my VHO with T5 and not only did it cool my tank I saw a drop in KW usage. Just one more thing to think about now that you have a larger tank.

 

[818]

I have no clue where to start as to making a T5 lighting unit?

Ima check some websites around.

Sam