I have a quick question, maybe two

[managuay86]

Hi I am not that much of a beginner to keeping corals, and such. I know a thing or two. But my question is what is the good amount of watts to gallon ratios. I am asking becuz i have heard many stories. I have always thought 5 watts to a gallon was pretty good but I goto my LFP and he said 10 watts to a gallon. I went to another petshop and they said 2 watts. Can someone please help? another question is what are the best corals to have? I wanna get an Idea of what to add. so far I have a whole bunch of live rock, a green bubble tip anenome and 2 californian anenomes (i dont know what but they look cool) I grabbed them when I was fishing I know its illegal as hell but eh.. Anyway I would appreciate the help, thanks.

 

[fsn77]

Watts per gallon is relatively useless for comparing lighting. Each type of lighting (PC, MH, T5 HO, VHO, etc.) generates a different light intensity or PAR (photosynthetically available radiation), as do different bulbs within each type of lighting. What this means is that 250 watts of MH is not the same as 250 watts of PC or 250 watts of T5 HO. The wattage is simply a measure of electrical consumption, not output, and each type of lighting has a different level of efficiency at converting that incoming wattage into light. In terms of bulbs themselves, a 10000K MH bulb generates more PAR than a 20000K MH bulb, and there can be quite a difference in different brands of bulbs that are labeled as generating a similar color temp / spectrum.

In your particular case, it appears that you have 4 x 65 w PC lighting over your 75 g. What type of bulbs are you using? Are two of them daylight (10000K) and two of them actinic? While this is a common bulb combination, it's certainly not one to be assumed. When it all comes down to it, most soft corals and several LPS corals will do well under the lighting you have on your tank.

Typically, anemones are recommended to have more light than what you currently have. While there tends to be some debate to it, for long term health and survival, higher intensity lighting is normally recommended.

 

[fsn77]

I was thinking more about your tank... what are your water parameters like? You're a bit low on LR for a reef and seem to have a lot of fish. If you have a hard time keeping your nitrate < 20 ppm, it will be difficult to keep many corals. Also, your angel is a potential coral nipper.

 

[managuay86]

FINALLY AN ANSWER I CAN ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!! thanks, oh and i am planning to get rid of some of my fish and add about 30 lbs more lbs of LR. I do have PC and 2 are actinic and the other two are daylight. I mean they are doing ok I just wanted a detailed description of how, why, and where. I am planning also getting another PC 4 x 65w 2 act. and two daylight. That should help out my anenomes. And my nitrate levels are around 20 ppm but that is only becuz I water change 20% every two weeks. ANyway thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate he help.