View Full Version : enough lighting for inverts?corals?55g
syddakyd
08-23-2006, 3:03 AM
hi i have a 260watt fixture the corallife brand with floruscent bulbs and actinics
is that enough lighting to keep some corals and anenomes in my 55g
some yes....such as soft corals, maybe lps such as frogspawn, mushrooms and other polyps.......but anemones? I doubt it and wouldn't chance it. Most anemones require really intense lighting such as that offered with metal halides, there are some anemones that require less light like a tube anemone but they still need exceptional pristine water quality.
syddakyd
08-23-2006, 12:35 PM
see that sucks i was told corals need 3-5 watts per gallon which is what i got the fixture cost me 460 dollars.
watts per gallon is not a really good indication as it depends on the type of light you are using and the depth etc of your tank. A 55g is basically the same depth as a 75 and to get the punch needed to penetrate the 21 inches you need a strong light if you want to keep clams or anemones on the substrate.....now if you were to have more light demanding species up high close to the light it may be okay......though I wouldn't chance an anemone as they motor where ever they want.....clams do too......sooooooo....sorry about the expense.....I personally have 560w on my 75 and I wish I had gone with t5's or higher rather than the pc's for 260 watts that I have coupled with 2 x 150w m/h. looks good and I can keep anything, problem is with bulb replacement, a costly endeavour and one most don't think about prior to buying an expensive lighting set up.
Crown Royal
08-23-2006, 4:02 PM
What's wrong with just LPS and softies? Last I checked they are "corals" as well. You've still got a ton of choice in corals and creatures with your fixture.
Personally I think a well-done LPS/softies tank looks just as good as any SPS tank, if not better with the long polyps flowing gently in the current.