Sps lighting question

[TheMan]

Do you guy's think that 260 watts of VHO lighting+ room lighting+ two big winows with sun coming through would be enough for montipora and acropora. Keep in mind im in Florida where the sun tend's to be bright :lol:

 

[Lifer]

How deep is your tank? I really would not count ambient lighting for much of anything since it is probably going through several panes of glass to even get to your tank in the first place and at different angles. Room lighting won't count for much either. You are not looking for total LUX levels hitting your tank but PAR (400-700nm). Niether ambient refracted light or room lighting will achieve much if any PAR levels in your tank. It is possible the Montipora would do OK if it is a foliose type like capricornis but not for a branchy type like digitata. I would not do this to an Acro. You really need halides for this. Again, it really depends if this is a tall tank but it is nearly a neccesity. Good luck.

 

[TheMan]

My tank is basically 23 inches deep, however I could place the specimen or specimens towards the upmost part of the tank thus giving a much higher light level :lol:

 

[Lifer]

IMHO, this just is not enough light. Maybe you do it and it works but.....You would have to put them so high you would probably have to tape them to the bulbs with duct tape. :lol:. Sorry to make light of your question, it is just not enough light.

 

[Len]

I have to agree that this is probably insufficient light for all but the hardiest SPS corals. When I run just VHOs over my 120 gallon, the brightly colored SPS always lose coloration and some start to recede at the base. Get halides; you can not go wrong with them

 

[Len]

You know what? I just noticed no one gave you an official hello

 

[reefland]

TheMan - welcome to the board. Keep in mind that the two windows may help fuel alage growth. You may end up blocking the windows keeping direct sunlight out. That is much more common then natural sunlight helping a tank.

 

[Len]

Welcome back Rich! 8) Hope the move went well.

 

[reefland]

Thanks Len. Move went well. I hope to complete the basement / wet room in a month or so and get the tank going again.