are my lights strong enough for coral growth?

bigfish · 12-30-2007, 07:35 PM

Hi i was wondering if my lights were enough to get some good coral growth. I have 3- 110 watt vho. one is super actinic and the others are the actinic white. I also have 2 -46.5 inch t-5 one actinic and the other one is the daylight kind not sure the real name. my tank is 55 gallons standard. At this point i can not afford halides, but i dont want to buy some real nice corals and have them die on me or not thrive! Water specs are in line so i believe this may be my only drawback if it even is one.

blue_eyes53813 · 12-30-2007, 07:58 PM

Sounds like you have good lighting. Does the tank seem pretty bright? Im just curious how it looks with all the actinics. Can you post a picture with all the lights on? Other than that maybe a bulb or two with the kelvin rating of 10k, 12k or 14 k may brighten it up some. Corals seem to like those spectrums. Just an Idea. You def. have enough watts of light.

bigfish · 12-30-2007, 08:25 PM

actually my tank is really bright. i added another blue super actinic t5 because it wasnt blue enough. i think the white actinic are just called that but they are really bright like a daytime t5. i just went to the store to buy aa batteries for my camera and the ditz gave me aaa and i didnt notice til i got home and i am not going back out so keep a look out for pics tomorrow! thanks pal!

dobejazz · 12-30-2007, 09:19 PM

Is there any particular type of coral you'd like to keep? Alot of softys don't require as much light. Although it seems as if you have plenty

lcstorc · 12-30-2007, 09:31 PM

A big part of the picture is what kind of corals and how deep is the tank? These factor in along with how much wattage you have. Sounds like you have a decent amount of light and I would think you are good for softies and lps at least. More information can get a more specific answer.

12-30-2007, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigfish Midas Blenny Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 103 View Gallery Karma Komment	are my lights strong enough for coral growth? Hi i was wondering if my lights were enough to get some good coral growth. I have 3- 110 watt vho. one is super actinic and the others are the actinic white. I also have 2 -46.5 inch t-5 one actinic and the other one is the daylight kind not sure the real name. my tank is 55 gallons standard. At this point i can not afford halides, but i dont want to buy some real nice corals and have them die on me or not thrive! Water specs are in line so i believe this may be my only drawback if it even is one.

12-30-2007, 07:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 fully trained mod,,,its my fault~ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,097 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: are my lights strong enough for coral growth? Sounds like you have good lighting. Does the tank seem pretty bright? Im just curious how it looks with all the actinics. Can you post a picture with all the lights on? Other than that maybe a bulb or two with the kelvin rating of 10k, 12k or 14 k may brighten it up some. Corals seem to like those spectrums. Just an Idea. You def. have enough watts of light. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-30-2007, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigfish Midas Blenny Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 103 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: are my lights strong enough for coral growth? actually my tank is really bright. i added another blue super actinic t5 because it wasnt blue enough. i think the white actinic are just called that but they are really bright like a daytime t5. i just went to the store to buy aa batteries for my camera and the ditz gave me aaa and i didnt notice til i got home and i am not going back out so keep a look out for pics tomorrow! thanks pal!

12-30-2007, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,230 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: are my lights strong enough for coral growth? Is there any particular type of coral you'd like to keep? Alot of softys don't require as much light. Although it seems as if you have plenty __________________ Kelli

12-30-2007, 09:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 17,965 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: are my lights strong enough for coral growth? A big part of the picture is what kind of corals and how deep is the tank? These factor in along with how much wattage you have. Sounds like you have a decent amount of light and I would think you are good for softies and lps at least. More information can get a more specific answer. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

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