Enough Light and right K

Ryan · #1 04-08-2009, 07:12 PM

I am running 4-24" T5's over my tank, 2 Fiji Purple, 1 Actinic and 1 Blue Plus.

I was wondering if that would be enough light and the right K value for some easy to keep SPS?

I was thinking maybe Acropora or Montipora or Pink Birdnest type?

Canuckgod420 · #2 04-08-2009, 07:18 PM

I have that same light over my daughters 20G tank, her softies love it, but the green birdsnest I put in there has turned brown....growing like crazy though, just brown.
Was thinking if I made all the bulbs 10k there might be enough light to grow some digis or millis

Myka · #3 04-08-2009, 07:18 PM

You might not get very good colors because a 24w bulb is only so intense. You should be good to go provided the rest of your tank is suitable, and you keep the SPS within 10" of the light. I would stick to Montis and Birdnest to try. How long has it been running? Are you monitoring and dosing calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium as needed?

Marlin65 · #4 04-08-2009, 07:52 PM

Thats a lot of blue I would switch 2 out for 10,000 K daylights.
That explains why your picture of that hammer looks so pink.

Ryan · #5 04-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Ya there is alot of blue in there. Not to mention I dont have any white balance on my camera.

I like the color I have now so I am wondering if I swap out 2 of the bulbs could I supplement extra bulbs with more blue without any ill effect on the corals?

Marlin65 · #6 04-08-2009, 08:44 PM

I run one Purple one Actinic and two daylights 24W as well.
I have birdsnest, cap, and digi in there but they do much better under my MH in my SPS tank. Also have some LPS and zoe's in there. The 10,000 should help to have them grow a bit better. I would think they will do better under that combo as opposed to all that blue.

Ryan · #7 04-08-2009, 08:50 PM

Alright. I might have to hold off until I pick up my big tank. I didnt want to use MH on this one because of the Evaporation. I am already doing enough top up daily its so dry here.

i have crabs · #8 04-09-2009, 12:18 AM

ditch 1 purple and the atinic for some 10k's then you shouldnt lose the nice blue tint but still get better power,

i agree with keeping the sps as up high as possible, how deep is your tank

Ryan · #9 04-09-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i have crabs

ditch 1 purple and the atinic for some 10k's then you shouldnt lose the nice blue tint but still get better power,

i agree with keeping the sps as up high as possible, how deep is your tank

12" deep

Trigger Man · #10 04-09-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i have crabs

ditch 1 purple and the atinic for some 10k's then you shouldnt lose the nice blue tint but still get better power,

i agree with keeping the sps as up high as possible, how deep is your tank

I totally agree with what was said above.