Enough lighting for Acropora?

[Michelle50]

Just wanted to know if you guys thought I could keep these successfully with my lighting. 4 110w VHO 2 of which are atinics. I know they won't be as colorful or grow as fast. So, do you guys think I can make them do well if I place them near the top?

 

[ChaoticReefer]

Hi Michelle,
Yes, some acros can be kept under VHOs, but they will be dull and in some cases they won't grow. Using VHOs will only be limiting yourself and your sps health. If you ask me if I would try it my answer would be "no". Of course, there is always an exception in each rule. Many people have kept acros under VHOs.

 

[Lurshy]

You may wish to check out the ChampionLighting.com site. They have photos and rights ups of several VHO only sps tanks. I am also interested with this as I am looking to upgrade my fowlr to reef and woulf prefer to save 500$ for other equipment. The 500$ is about the differential between a 4 vho system and a 2x250MH+/VHO system

 

[damicodric]

michele,

keep'em high. offer perfect water quality for the species you are trying to keep and you will have no problem maintaining acros with that type of lighting scheme.

i prefer mh and run two 14k with 2 actinics, but have done the acro thing in the past on a 72 euro with two 110 vho's and did fine.

good luck.

 

[golfish]

IME, most Acro's will do ok under vho\pc lighting, they just won't grow very fast and the color wont be all that.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

You may wish to check out the ChampionLighting.com site. They have photos and rights ups of several VHO only sps tanks. I am also interested with this as I am looking to upgrade my fowlr to reef and woulf prefer to save 500$ for other equipment. The 500$ is about the differential between a 4 vho system and a 2x250MH+/VHO system

Why not just use 2X250 W Mh or 400W MH? To me 6500K light is fine, but if you want you can always use 20000K or 10000K light. It will be much cheaper when you have to chage bulbs also. Two 400 W 20000K Mh is about 150 dollars (every year) while 6 110 W VHO bulbs need change every 6 months at the price of 25-30 dollars each.
Minh Nguyen

 

[Java]

**Two 400 W 20000K Mh is about 150 dollars (every year) while 6 110 W VHO bulbs need change every 6 months at the price of 25-30 dollars each.**

for 2-400 W...the problem is not only....$150 a year but down the road...you have to see the electric bill coming to you (specially for those who's living in California).....and plus the heat on your tank...
IHMO... 2/250 would be in the midle....(if you can afford it tho) I go with 2/175.. ... can't afford yet to get a high end one.
and for VHO you don't have to exchange it every 6 months....mine running about year now and still going....
My 0.02 cent.

A's

 

[bowfront]

It can be done I did it for years but now am using MH. Don't forget that good water quality and substantial current is also important. If you can provide that your VHO's will be enough light to keep Acro's near the top of your tank.

 

[pncstod]

We had great growth and color from 380 watts of vho in a 58 gallon tank. I am currenltly running the 380 watts of vho plus 500 watts of halides on a 150. They are growing a little quicker now, but the growth was very good in the smaller tank.

 

[Garry thomas]

Michelle the answer is yes you could keep them with your current lighting. Offer good clarity and that also helps, you probally will find a reduced growth rate? and yes as some of the previous posts mentioned, obviously bigger lights would be better, but that was not your question.
Good luck!

 

[Minh Nguyen]

Just wanted to know if you guys thought I could keep these successfully with my lighting. 4 110w VHO 2 of which are atinics. I know they won't be as colorful or grow as fast. So, do you guys think I can make them do well if I place them near the top?

Michelle,
Some Acropora requires lest light than other and will do fine with your light set up. You have 440 W over your tank. You will get better light/cheaper to run (cost for bulbs replacement) if you have two 250 W MH. you will get better light also.
There are a bunch of SPS that will do fine with your light set up.
Minh