LPS in my reef?

reefhead165 · #1 01/01/2008, 04:22 PM

Would anyone happen to know if LPS would survive under PC lights 4x96 watt 165 gallons... 30 inch deep tank
right now i have mushrooms, (ricordas, green ,purple, and some striped) xenia,long tentacle anenom, button polyp coral, and some zoas.

Pufferpunk · #2 01/01/2008, 05:04 PM

I don't think they would do very well--that's really not much light for such a large tank. I have 1/2 that lighting on a 40g, which is 24" deep. Save your $$$ & upgrade.

You really shouldn't have an anemone in there.

reefhead165 · #3 01/01/2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pufferpunk
I don't think they would do very well--that's really not much light for such a large tank. I have 1/2 that lighting on a 40g, which is 24" deep. Save your $$$ & upgrade.

You really shouldn't have an anemone in there.

Yeah thats what i thought too... i wanna upgrade my lighting... i heard that MH's break down acrylic and make it crack. My acrylic is already starting to crack and it only a year and half. i can't have it get any worse then what it is alreay....

Musho3210 · #4 01/01/2008, 05:25 PM

look into T5 with individual reflectors, ive never heard about MH and cracking acrylic though...

Pufferpunk · #5 01/01/2008, 05:32 PM

If you get T5s, you won't be sorry. I can't tell you how many folks see how well my corals are doing under T5s & say they are gonna switch.

Engine 7 · #6 01/01/2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pufferpunk
If you get T5s, you won't be sorry. I can't tell you how many folks see how well my corals are doing under T5s & say they are gonna switch.

Like who?!

Pufferpunk · #7 01/01/2008, 05:44 PM

reefhead165 · #8 01/01/2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pufferpunk
If you get T5s, you won't be sorry. I can't tell you how many folks see how well my corals are doing under T5s & say they are gonna switch.

do u know of any good t5 systems for a 72 inch tank?

hoosierpat · #9 01/01/2008, 05:49 PM

If you want to keep Euphyllias like hammers and frogspawn you will be just fine with that lighting. Blastos will do well, they do better under lower lighting, in fact, I can't think of many LPS at all that won't do well. Some might be less colorful especially acans and such but you don't need halides to keep LPS.

hoosierpat · #10 01/01/2008, 05:52 PM

You might not be able to put them on the bottom but if you are keeping softies right now, you can definitely keep LPS, just place them appropriately.

Pufferpunk · #11 01/01/2008, 05:53 PM

Under suficcient PC lighting, I'd say yes too. I kept many LPS (like the ones mentioned in the post above) under 4x65wt in a 48"L, 18" tall 55g tank--even a clam for a year, I kept way on top about 6" from the lights. In this case though, that isn't nearly as much light for a tank almost 2x as tall & much longer.

Engine 7 · #12 01/01/2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefhead165
do u know of any good t5 systems for a 72 inch tank?

Thi is what I use. Great features and great coverage. http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=1584

spike78 · #13 01/01/2008, 05:59 PM

I have 12 X 36" ice cap overdriven T5's with individual reflectors over my 72" 200 Gal bowfront. My corals (many LPS and a few LPS) seem to be growing well and otherwise healthy. My tank is acrylic and although the hood does get hot, my vents and fans allow me to touch the reflectors without getting burnt.