My 29g Reef - former AP24.

[lorenz0]

I used to have a similar light and trust me, if you plan on keeping SPS (even in a high location) you are going to run into issues

ignore the whole watts per a gallon thing. It really comes down to the PAR that the light is producing. Say you have a 130 watt power compact and a 130 watt T5HO fixture with individual reflectors. the T5HO fixture will have a higher output due to the design of the fixture and the bulbs give off more PAR.

Plus compared to LPS or soft corals it is hard to keep your parameters contants in a tank that size. I am not trying to blow you off away from SPS but like mentioned before a monti or birdsnest is a better choice. acro's need proper chem balance and proper lighting, they are beautiful but you need to limit yourself to what you can keep with your equipment.

[Nebthet]

That is the reason why I am going with the deep water Acros and the Monti and only going for 3 max and getting small frags. The rest of the items in the tank will be LPS with a minimum of softies.

This is the one thing I have noticed when it comes to information on lighting on the Internet and forums. There are a lot of opinions back an forth on what is better and what isn't. Overall I am finding that Metal Halides are better on System over 30g, and Power Compacts better on the Nano's because of heat issues and because the height is normally under 20 inches. I guess people just have to experiment until they find what works for them and what they want to achieve the most.

I will have to keep the journal updated on that.

[lorenz0]

I actually am keeping SPS in a 10gal right now and I can tell you that PC does not cut it and this is from experience. Originally i had a small birdsnest and a tiny millie frag under PC for about a week. polyp extension was very little and until i upgraded to my NEP (T5HO) they were not as happy as they could have been. I also tried acro under this lighting and compared to the same frags at the LFS i was getting horriable extension from it. Even when it comes to T5's its all about the bulb selection as well. I don't even think my NEP is enough for SPS anymore. you can keep them but all my frags browned on me and i have decided not to add anything else till my new tank is up and running.

If you want to try it, give it a go but it is not reccomended

[Nebthet]

I understand, and I do appreciate the advice.

[brizzo]

Personally I love having a 150w metal halide over my 24g nano

Small tanks make wicked reef tanks, and even better with nice shimmering light :P

[Nebthet]

So here are some updated pics for you all to enjoy.

Red coraline algae


Purple Coraline Algae spreading to different rocks.


Pic of Xenia with heads all squished in like it does a couple of times a day for a a couple of minutes at a time. I figure it does this either to store, engery, expel waste, and or contricts to aid in how it splits to reproduce.


Pic showing how the Xenia is working it's way into splitting into 4 stalks.


Front Tank Shot flash


Front Tank Shot no flash


Can you make out the Brittle Star legs in this pic? This is why I wish I had a better camera.


Nasarrius snail with mushrooms and naked hermit cast off. I thought it was a dead hermit at first. LOL



Tell me what you think.

[Nebthet]

I thought I would share a small video from today. I hope you all enjoy.