Lights for Coral Only Tank

[reefmongrel]

Planning a 20g coral only - SPS and others - probably a few clams as well. Thinking of using a 250w MH pendant - 14K only - no actinics or other - would appreciate any feedback on that plan.

Currently have some healty buttons, zooanthids, hammer, and zenia in my 90g fish w LR under 4X65 Orbit w 2 T5 54w actinics.

Want a coral only to expand this great hobby!!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/feedback.

reefmongrel

 

[SkankinSurfer05]

Sounds good to me. Thats a whole crapload of lighting over a 20 gallon tank though. Make sure you have plenty of circulation through the fixture with fans or something over that sort, and have it high above the tank.

 

[reefmongrel]

Thanks for your reply - If you think 175w will work - I'd rather go to a lower power consumption -

reefmongrel

 

[Len]

175W should be plenty, but 250 is good too if you can keep the tank cool. I personally like 10KK bulbs with actinic supplements, but a 14KK will work fine too. Do not mix zoanthids and xenia in this tank. In fact, if it's only 20 gallons, I'd recommend sticking with just SPS and clams. you'll need a lot of calcium for this tank, so a kalkwasser drip, kalkreactor, and/or calcium reactor is something you should seriously look into.

 

[reefmongrel]

Thanks Len - all good suggestions. I'm dripping Kalk in the main now so probably just continue with that approach. Did not know about the Zenia and zooanthids being poor mixers.

Reefmongrel