SPS lighting

[tang56]

Hello,
I was wondering if you all think this lighting would be sufficient for sps corals?
8x 64 watt compact fluorescents, half actinic
Thanks

 

[black_ice_pc]

Nope CF(compact fluorescent) isn't powerful enough for SPS. I had the config you described, 8x 64w, and it couldn't keep montipora alive 4" from the surface. The issue is that they don't penetrate and there's alot of lost light. If you want to do SPS, your options are basically T5 with good reflectors, metal halides, or LEDs which is what I'm using now. I have a 100 gal, running 60w of Cree LEDs on half the tank and I'm keeping montipora, stylo, and acro. They've colored up noticeably since I bought them. They were under metal halides at the store.

 

[woody283]

If the tank is shallow i woudnt see a problem, but they dont have good par, and bulb life sucks. If you want great light look int MH or T5. I only use Pc for supplement for my MH becouse they dont make a 15" T5 bulb. HTH

 

[dmorazan]

no

no

no way. you need MH or T5's.

 

[jakester]

++1