Acro lighting question
 

Hey lighting guru's . . . "MeGa" needs yet another help from u guys . . . Im planning to setup a 72 gallon tank (I believe its 48"x18"x20H) Im planning to buy a coralife fixture which is 2x175watt 10000k MH and 2 HO uri actinics . . . Is this enough wattage to keep colorful acroporas and MAXIMA clams??? PLS. LMK!! Thanks in advance

Here's a pic http://members.shaw.ca/rjwalker/pictures/hood2.jpg

The acros should be placed towards the top and they should be fine there, cant help you with the clams im not sure how much light they require.

What lighting are you guys using?? For anyone who has a tank that is 20-24" high?? Pls HeLp!! Thanks!! . . . or shouldI go for 2-250 watt just incase?? (I hate upgrading so much!!)

I started keeping acros in a 75g with 2 x 175w, they did OK, grew well. Maximas did ok also.
I'll now be running 2 x 400w on the same tank, which intorduces heat issues.
Overall, I think you'll be fine with that setup.

Mega
I am current;y running 2 x 250W DE's :cool: ( I need the shades) plus 260 W actinic PC on my 77 gal

Have several acros that are doing great groeing like MAD :biggrin: . I also got a crocea from OA today, and am confident I have enough light... I agree upgrading is a PITA.
Dano
PS still got that acro frag?

Acro's will grow just fine under 175W MH and so will the clam but I have been told that they won't keep their color for long. I had an acro when I first up-graded to a 175W MH and it was brown, it grew like crazy but stayed brown. I run 400's in my SPS tank now.

Keith

reply
 

I run a single 250watt 14K with pc suppliments over my tank and its about 20-22 inches. My sps grows fine so I think your should too. Just remember to slowly increase your photo period to avoid photo shocking you corals. :redface:

Your clam and acros should be fine under that lighting, I'm only running a single 400w MH bulb durring the day and I haven't had problems yet.

The only that I would suggest is to make sure that the flow rates are good, I found that flow rate coupled with lighting makes for much more quality growth (coloration) then if you just have the right lights!