What SPS is Appropriate for This Tank?

[Oscar]

I have had my CadLights running for 1 1/2 years. I have a scattering of soft corals but I would like to start shifting to an SPS dominated tank in the new year. Most of my corals have struggled as I battled algae, poor water flow and mixed results with skimmers.

I have been vacuuming the sand, will be reinstalling my Vortech today, and have a new Euro-reef skimmer arriving next week, and am preparing to go the zeo method after the skimmer is broken in. Currently running carbon and GFO in a reactor.


Dividing the tank in 1/3s by depth what corals are appropriate in each 1/3?
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Here is what I have currently:

frog spawn
pulsing xenia
candy cane
2 favias
zoas
rics

2 clowns
1 yellow goby

total tank volume is 39G with about 30G in the display

150W 14,000K Pheonix hallide
2 X 24w T5s, fuji pink (to be installed later today)
Lights are 4" from the top of the water and 21" from the top of the sand.

Thanks in advance.

[fencer]

You need to bring your light source to 250 watts

[JDigital]

Should be able to keep pretty much anything...

I've got a 150W w/ 2x24W T5's on my 30G (bit higher off the water, but similar depth to the sand) and I'm running a SPS dominant tank.

The only piece I have that seems to be struggling is my Rainbow Stylo.. everything else is growing great and I got plenty of color out of them.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by JDigital

Should be able to keep pretty much anything...

At any depth?

I was thinking I might have to move some of the softies a little lower and place acropora in the upper 1/3rd. But that is not your experience?

[Ryan]

I agree with JDigital you should be fine with a 150W. I have a 250W HQI on my tank and its ALOT of light for those corals. I keep SPS right on the sand bed (24") and am still seeing good colour and growth.

I used to have 4x 24W T5HO and could keep SPS coloured up and growing up to 2/3rs of the way down.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I agree with JDigital you should be fine with a 150W. I have a 250W HQI on my tank and its ALOT of light for those corals. I keep SPS right on the sand bed (24") and am still seeing good colour and growth.

Excellent, that will give me lots of flexibility in placing corals. I do not think my current light fixture will handle 250W anyway.

[lorenz0]

why don't you start off with some birdsnest and digitata to test things out. If you have troubles with those consider holding off and making sure your system is stable

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by lorenz0

why don't you start off with some birdsnest and digitata to test things out. If you have troubles with those consider holding off and making sure your system is stable

+1, go slow with SPS to start try your luck with digi's, birds nest, monti caps and then when your happy with the quality switch to acros and millis. If you want a great starter pack go to Coral Master (Greg) in Calgary.
Levi

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

If you want a great starter pack go to Coral Master (Greg) in Calgary.
Levi

Precisely what I had in mind.

[viperfish]

With 150 Watt keep in mind that the higher the colour temperature, the lower the par will be which means less beneficial light. 10Kwith actinic supplement will probably give you the most bang for the buck.