Is this enough light for SPS?

[Risk1994]

2 Kessil A80's over a 20g long for QT. These have worked great for non-sps corals for a while but now I have some birds nest/green slimer/plating monti and digi.

For the last 3 months I had a pavona and a Stylocoeniella with just one A80 and they were fine, just moved to DT.

Just wondering if Im going to have to invest in something like a AI prime or kessil 160. I'll probably do that eventually anyway but will these guys be ok in the next month or two?

 

[C_AWOL]

For small frags and considering the low height of 12" I would say there would be no issues that is likely to be lighting related with what you have.

 

[jda]

Sure. You can always raise that rack up if you needed to.

Get a PAR meter and test it out so that you know what level is what output.

If you do switch your QT lights, get the same ones as your display. I have found that this makes transition easier. Until then, just keep these as long as they work.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I would see if a LFS or a reef club has a PAR meter you can rent... that is likely enough for your small frag qt tank tho if you keep the SPS frags in the middle where the lights overlap.

 

[Cantusaurus]

Should be fine. SPS can handle lower light than some people think. I would just have a long photoperiod. WWC runs lower par, but a longer photoperiod.
For example they have Zoas in like 80 par, but a lot of those Zoas like to stretch up if they are in that par, but the longer photoperiod helps with that.

Birdsnests and Monti will be just fine.
Maybe the Acros may want slightly more light, but they might be fine. Maybe you could raise the Acros higher somehow, but it may not be necessary.

Good luck

 

[Risk1994]

If you do switch your QT lights, get the same ones as your display. I have found that this makes transition easier. Until then, just keep these as long as they work.

Neptune sky would be a bit spendy for this 20g long

Thanks everyone for the responses. I saw a video someone did showing these A80 only putting out like 135 max which sounded low for an acro, even a green slimer. Although I do have 2 instead of one so that may make up some.

(FYI video is here...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNqwaKtnTFU, dont want to steal someone elses work)

I may just need to bite the bullet and get a par meter. I'm just guessing on my DT also so I suppose its worth it.

 

[minus9]

I kept 3 clams in a shallow container in my sump while combating pyramids snails and I used an A80 and saw growth on the shells. So yes, you should be fine. Two maximas and one noae.

As mentioned earlier, just raise the eggcrate if needed.

 

[Risk1994]

I kept 3 clams in a shallow container in my sump while combating pyramids snails and I used an A80 and saw growth on the shells. So yes, you should be fine. Two maximas and one noae.

As mentioned earlier, just raise the eggcrate if needed.

Wow gorgeous! And under an A80...amazing...how long were they under that light?

 

[minus9]

Wow gorgeous! And under an A80...amazing...how long were they under that light?

Months. I eventually borrowed a friends 160 towards the end, which allowed me to raise the light a little, but there was little difference when I switched and changed the mounting height. The teardrop kept squirting water and a few times hit the A80, so that’s the only reason I switched to the 160. These clams were in the sump for almost a year, which allowed me to starve out the pyramids.

 

[Risk1994]

Raised the corals up some...