-lighting question

bv_reefer · #1 07-25-2007, 02:21 AM

-is 4.24 watts/gallon enough for all lps, cuz i know it's enough for all softes.

Der_Iron_Chef · #2 07-25-2007, 02:44 AM

I personally think the watts per gallon thing is a bit unreliable. But from those who adhere to these standards, I would say...yes. I have 4 watts per gallon on my tank and have successfully kept all manner of LPS.

bv_reefer · #3 07-25-2007, 03:47 AM

-alright reefkeeping does tend to be trial and error, but hey i'll give it a shot.

honkey sauce · #4 07-25-2007, 04:51 AM

if you had a 400gal tank with one 400w light in the middle with your corals directly under it that would be sufficient,thats only 1w per gal

bv_reefer · #5 07-25-2007, 05:19 AM

-o wow didn't think it's that sufficient, but definitely no sps right?

Renegade · #6 07-25-2007, 05:52 AM

it depends on how far from the surface the SPS pieces are. Also how far off the water is your MH

bv_reefer · #7 07-25-2007, 06:21 AM

2-70 watt double ended 6'' over a 33-gallon(cycling, but will be softie reef)
and if the sps frags were 5-6 inches below the surface, so do u think i can
try some sps?

skylord · #8 07-25-2007, 07:51 AM

The bulbs you're using could make a difference. But other than that, most sps like high flow and your MJ900 isnt going to do the job. Water quality is another big issue.

Scott

StirCrazy · #9 07-25-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bv_reefer

-is 4.24 watts/gallon enough for all lps, cuz i know it's enough for all softes.

impossable to answer as the watt/gal means absolutly nothing. We need to know what kind of lighting and tank size.

if you do some searches on old posts you will see one of my biggest pet peeves is this darn stupid watt/ gal measurment. it means absolutly nothing and cannot even be used as a basis for comparason unless it is on the exact same tank with the exact same lighting. a better measurment if you have to use one of these useless ones would be watt/square foot of surface area, at least we are getting closet to measurments that matter.

to show you why this measurment means aboslutly nothing, say I have 4watt/gal in a tank I made. I am doing this with a 40 watt NO tube on a 10 gal tank thats dimentions are 48" long, 8" wide and 6" deep. is that going to be enough light for anything.. nope, well maybe algae.

on the same topic, a 120 with two 250 watt MH has less wat/gal than you but can grow SPS.

Steve

bv_reefer · #10 07-25-2007, 07:56 PM

-k now i see what u meen, ditch the watts/gallon thing- ok so my dimensions
are as follows: 36''x12'' and then it's 18'' deep, also could it be arranged with another maxi-jet 900 powerhead?