55g SPS tank lighting?

[LiveRock27]

I have decided to put back up my 55g system that has been sitting in the basement for over a year and I want it to be a SPS tank. I blaim this new tank on all the nice ORA corals that my LFS has been getting in. My question is I have an Outer Orbit 48" with 2x150w MH and 2x130w actinic pcs. Would this be enough for SPS or should I look into new lights for the tank? This is what I have right now for the tank
55g RR tank
30g custom sump/refug
Mag5 pump (return pump)
2x Koralia2
1x Koralia1
Aqua Medic Turboflotor 1000 Protein Skimmer
250w Won Brother titanium digital heater
I will be adding a Calcium Rx and also using a RK2 controller on the system. I would prefer not to have to get a chiller, but if I have to I have to. Thanks for any help.

 

[surfn]

that will be enough for most easier to keep sps.....except for acros that like really strong light (tenius, efflo, torts etc.)

you could probably keep them alive with really good flow, but they won't grow fast and look nearly as good.

the sps would definitely need to be placed near the top of the tank (except for monti's)

going with 2x250's over a 55g is overkill, and will probably lead to heat problems. its really an odd sized tank for a reef IMO.

 

[LiveRock27]

What if I used 2x150w MH and 4x54w T5s? Would I be able to keep Acros or is this still not enough light?

 

[J. Montgomery]

I have 2 x 175W and a 250W MH over my 55. The added 250W is excessive, but I roll like that. I would add 2 x 54W T5s, but I don't think my electrical circuit can handle any more juice.

I don't use a chiller. I have four 4" fans controlled by my AC Jr. and the temperature is solid! It rarely varies more than two degrees at most.

 

[LiveRock27]

I was thinking about getting the Outer Orbit 48" w/2x150w MH and 4x54w T5s. Do you think this setup would make it so that I had enough lights for any sps I want to put in the tank?

 

[J. Montgomery]

IMO, the prebuilt fixtures are insanely overpriced.

I'd recommend building yourself a canopy and retrofitting some MH in there instead. You could get more light for less money.

 

[surfn]

I was thinking about getting the Outer Orbit 48" w/2x150w MH and 4x54w T5s. Do you think this setup would make it so that I had enough lights for any sps I want to put in the tank?

probably not *any* sps.....but most would be able to survive. but they may not grow very fast or look as good as they do in other people's tanks. but in general....yes....they will stay alive....they just won't thrive as well as they would under brighter light.

you can keep digis and monti caps alive under PC lights in a 14g biocube too.

 

[edwing206]

I have 2x250 watt MH's and don't have any heat issues. I am just starting to get more sps frags but what I have right now is doing well.

 

[Russellaqua]

I would say you'd have enough light. You're looking at 10W per gallon, which is more than sufficient for most corals. Just place really high light demanding corals closer to the top. I did an experiment once where I had a variety of acros in a 20L tank under 8W per gallon evenly divided between PC actinics and PC daylight bulbs. No MH at all. They grew great.

 

[edwing206]

Watts per gallon isn't really a good way to measure light. I mean, if you have 10 watts per gallon of NO, versus 10 watts per gallon of MH, obviously the halides are gonna win.

 

[LiveRock27]

I have decided to stick with the lighting setup I have and replace the bulbs. I am thinking about getting reeflux 12K bulbs and then new actinics pcs. Since these lights will allow me to keep most sps the money saved will allow me to add a Calcium Rx and new pump and PHs to increase the flow. Any suggestions on what would be good in the way of a pump and PHs. The Mag5, after drop in pressure due to 4ft climb, will still put out over 300gph. If I use this pump what would be some good PHs to use? Thanks.

 

[J. Montgomery]

IMO, no need to put money into a calcium reactor.

 

[LiveRock27]

Should I just go with a good two part? I have been using Brightwell's two part on my BC and it has kept Ca and Alk stable for a good month now. I'm starting to get excited about putting this tank together. Should have it in place and all the plumbing done next week.

 

[twon8]

use diy two part.

i run 4x54w t5s on a 55 overdriven on an icecap 660, and keep acros very colored up near the top. 4x54 plus 300w's of halides will be plenty for acros, but i wouldn't go with the reeflux 12, too blue and not enough par imo

 

[LiveRock27]

Any suggestions on good MH bulbs?