Enough light for most corals?

[Spikehs]

Hey,

I have a 77gal tank (4'x2'x16") currently its just a fowler, but i wanted to put SOME corals, i didn't want sps corals, but rather lps and softies. My lighting so far is just 4 NO bubls (2 actinic 2 regular) i am going to add a 175wat 1200k metal halide light, givng me 335w or 4.5watts/gallon....do you think this will be enough to keep the softies and lps corals? as well as maybe an anenome? should i keep most of the corals on the top half of the tank? thanks for any input!

[ September 06, 2001: Message edited by: Spikehs ]

 

[OodleyBoodely]

The lighting you have right now, 4NO = 160w, is plenty of lighting for keeping most softies and some lps. The upgrade you listed would certainly be nice and will allow more species to be kept, but what you have is already good for a wide variaty of corals. Mushrooms, leathers, zoanthids-all grow well in low to moderate lighting.

 

[reefnut1]

hi, saw your inguire, its been my experience to have 1 175 watt metal halide per 2 foot of tank. then theres no doubt. I've had grreat results using the true german 10,000 K. Corals grow exceptionally well. best of luck. I have been a reef hobbist about 12 years. Sincerley, Reefnut

 

[jdeets]

Ditto reefnut. I'd go with 2 MH if you're going to use 175W bulbs.