Add lights?

[Jon Fishman]

My tank is narrow, and shallow.

96 x 20 x 18 deep.

I currently have 4 Radion XR30 pros in 2 48” Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixtures. I have room for more LeDs in it and I found a good deal on 2 Kessil 80a units and I am looking at 2 XR15 pros as well.

I keep my lights 12” above the water surface.

Would adding lights be beneficial to growing SPS or is it rather unnecessary until they grow out more and there are shadow concerns etc?

 

[Jon Fishman]

Anyone?

 

[Samina]

I think you have a good bit of light on there! Your tank is not deep and you have 2, 48” aquatic life fixtures, (so you have the adequate T5 spread), and 4 XR30’s which two on each 48” section are sufficient. I think you have a good setup. Maybe look into renting a par meter and you’ll know for sure and it will be less costly than buying those lights that you may not need.

I have a 48” aquatic life fixture, a XR30 in the middle and an XR15 (no diffusers, but planning on adding) on each end of the tank My tank is 30” deep and at a mount height of 10”, I am still getting good growth of SPS, which are higher in the tank (around mid tank level), LPS and softies on the bottom half of the tank and that is with my intensity at 50% max. I have a couple of clams on the sandbed and they are growing nicely also.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I borrowed a par meter, then replaced all my lights haha. I guess I will borrow it again!

Good idea, thanks.,