Lighting Question

reefy · #1 07-31-2008, 12:06 AM

I am currently using 2 x 400watts MH for my 90 Gallon reef and I realized that my monti and some of acropora are not in very good condition except my staghorn they are doing great. so my question is, is my light too bright for them?

P.S water parameter is in perfect condition.
PH 8.3 during lights on and 8.15 during lights off.
Calcium:420, Nitrate:5 Dkh:9 Temperature:chilled on 77F.

thanks in advance

a4twenty · #2 07-31-2008, 02:10 AM

as long as they were acclimated properly i don't think you should have any problems with the 400W lights. how much flow do you have? how much and what types of coral do you have? any chance another coral is to close? are you running carbon? any other params you can list?

maybe post a pic of the corals, its a lot easier when we can see it.

Marlin65 · #3 07-31-2008, 04:57 AM

You know they say not as we are not even close to simulating the sun, but I have had some pieces try to bleach on me. I have a cats paw and I have tried bringing it up from the btm of the tank and every time I try it starts to bleach.
My Monti's are growing like crazy and are doing great though.
My corals are all almost 6" from the top so close to the light, and my parameters are excellent as well.

sphelps · #4 07-31-2008, 01:55 PM

What kind of bulbs are you using?

What kind of Salt are you using?

Are you experiencing any STN from the base of the corals?

reefy · #5 07-31-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4twenty

as long as they were acclimated properly i don't think you should have any problems with the 400W lights. how much flow do you have? how much and what types of coral do you have? any chance another coral is to close? are you running carbon? any other params you can list?

maybe post a pic of the corals, its a lot easier when we can see it.

ahh I am currently using one seio1100 just took the other one out (I was using 2) cuz I realized that is too much flow for a 90gallon I only have about 5 SPS coral for the moment, digitata(looks lik its bleaching out), purple staghorn( looking great), 2 acropora sp(not doing well) and 2 cap(looking ok).

I am using Seachem reef salt. for the bulb I have one 20K and one 14K (I like the 20K more but it looks dimmer)

sphelps · #6 07-31-2008, 06:59 PM

Well it's pretty hard to call this one, however unless your bulbs are old I don't believe it's light related, well it's defiantly not too much light. It's possible your spectrum is lacking but most likely not the problem.

I would have to say it's more likely water chemistry, your nitrates could be lower and although I don't have much experience with Seachem salt I would bet it's not the best for SPS and may be missing or have low amounts of certain essential elements. Others may have more experience with that salt.

I also had problems in the past with certain corals showing STN and signs of bleaching, at first I thought it was light related but it turned out to be the salt I was using. Switching to a higher quality salt was like day and night.

What's your water change schedule like? and what are you using for equipment?

a4twenty · #7 07-31-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefy

ahh I am currently using one seio1100 just took the other one out (I was using 2) cuz I realized that is too much flow for a 90gallon

why do you feel that is to much flow?

most would say a 40x turn over rate ( 90G = 3600 gph ) is a minimum for keeping SPS. my tank is a 120 ( 6" wider than a standard 90 ) and i have 5220 gph ( 43.5x turn over ) and it doesn't look like there is to much flow.

as pointed out above water quality is very important and so is lighting and flow, i would double check all your params and increase your flow, to start.

sphelps · #8 07-31-2008, 08:58 PM

Agreed, having 5 SPS requires just as much tank flow as 20. I have 130 gallon which runs A dart closed loop and a dart return as well as a nano-stream 6055 and I still find myself short on flow. Not saying that's the problem but it's something to think about. SPS corals can usually handle one type of stress but it's the combinations that really show effects. Basically you may be looking at multiple causes.

reefy · #9 07-31-2008, 11:12 PM

well what happend is that just took them out cuz I thought that causes my acropora to streess. I thought it had too much flow because my soft coral were swerving like crazy and my sand were flying everywhere eventhough I face my power throw the surface. one more question; How far can I face the powerhead directly to the coral? do they do well if I face it towards them?
sorry for all these question I am new in SPSs.
thanks in advance.

Jason McK · #10 07-31-2008, 11:36 PM

It's possible your soft corals are fighting with chemicals causing your SPS to die.

When you say they are not doing well. What exactly is the problem?

20K lighting depending on your Ballast and the bulb type my not be enough light. Same with the 14K. PAR ratings on these high K lights can change drematically based on the ballast.

J