Would this lighting be sufficient?

[mr86mister]

I currently am running 6-60inch t5 bulbs overdriven to 100w's each with 2 IceCap 660's. The colors are fantastic but it is just too much for my corals. I have mostly softies and LPS and one or two SPS. I'm looking to make the tank an Acan, Zoanthid, Trachy, Leather tank. Would just the 3 bulbs overdriven to 100w each be enough? They are 12" above the surface and I have a standard 135, 72x18x24.(So to make it easy, 36" from the sandbed)

 

[Srixon]

I would hope so.....but not an expert

 

[RandyO]

I would say you should be fine for most Acans with the three bulbs. Your zoanthids might not be as colorful with less light.

You could keep your current setup the same and run three bulbs for 10 hours a day and the other 3 bulbs from just an hour or two. That's what I would do. Also, try to keep the spectrum more on the blue side. Maybe only mix one or two white bulbs in there.

 

[superkat]

i also have a question with lighting...what distance should 2 mh's and 2 vho's be from the water line of a 120g.

 

[RandyO]

i also have a question with lighting...what distance should 2 mh's and 2 vho's be from the water line of a 120g.

I don't know if I'd say they "should" be any specific height.

It really depends on your setup. IMO, 8-12" off the water is a good height. If you were running 400w halides, maybe higher. They tend to crack the easiest if accidentally splashed. If you can get your VHO's a little closer than the halides, it helps since they loose a good amount of intensity the farther they are from the water.

If you are keeping sps and high par ratings is important to you, the closer the better. Depending on your halide reflectors you can get a better spread at 12-15"

So to answer your question, It depends.

 

[mr86mister]

Thanks Randy! I appreciate the feedback that is something I will do for sure. Anyone else with advice keep 'em coming! I'm looking for a few different options.

 

[RandyO]

No problem Mike.

 

[superkat]

thank you Randy. And thanks Mike for letting me put up a question.

 

[str8leg]

3 bulbs would suffice

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

randy's idea is cool, you could also just take out 2 bulbs and have 4 running. i have 4 on my 55 and im keeping some acans while having great growth and color on them. i also have softies, many other lps, and a few sps (higher up in my tank). they all seem to be doing good. my tank is a bit shorter than yours, but 4 bulbs for lots of softies and lps would be just fine on an 18 inch wide tank (im going 6 bulbs when i upgrade to my 90). three might be a bit low par at least on the sand bed

 

[mr86mister]

Well I took out all the bulbs and changed them up trying to get a good look because I have 9 bulbs for 6 spots and was able to find a look I like and I will bring down my Full Blast of lights down to 2 hours a day and run the other 3 for 10.

 

[superkat]

ya know what's coming next, right? FTS pic please?