is this enough light

[ironworker]

i have a 40 breeder display. i am just now starting to keep sps and acros. i have a 4x39w light is this enough given the shallow depth of the tank. my bulbs are ati aquaBLUE special ati coral plus and 2 giesseman actinic plus.

 

[ritter6788]

If the sps are kept higher up and your water quality is spot on them I think it is enough light. I'm not familiar with the par of the Giessman actinic bulbs but if you feel it's not enough light then change them out for ATI blue plus.

 

[Reefing8EZ]

What brand is the fixture?

 

[creefer]

I'm running a 6-lamp fixture with all ATI lamps and I have cooked SPS near the bottom of the tank. I had to raise the fixture a bit. I have an aquatic life 6 x 39 and while not the top of the line like the ATI fixtures, with the ATI lamps it's still quite powerful.

 

[ritter6788]

Forgot to add that individual reflectors will make all the difference.

 

[ironworker]

it is a deep blue fixture and it has individual reflectors.

 

[ironworker]

If the sps are kept higher up and your water quality is spot on them I think it is enough light. I'm not familiar with the par of the Giessman actinic bulbs but if you feel it's not enough light then change them out for ATI blue plus.

giesseman actinic plus. they are almost identical to ati blue plus. just a little more blue in the giesseman

 

[Dowtish]

You will definitely want to change out the geissmen actinics. Those do not provide near the PAR you want for SPS. Replace them with 2 ATI Blue plus, and you will be good to go.

 

[MBG75]

Actinic plus are very close to blue plus.

How high over the water are your bulbs?

 

[Dowtish]

Actinic plus are very close to blue plus.

How high over the water are your bulbs?

Wow, I had no idea they were this close. my bad.

just found this posted somewhere
ATI

Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann

Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

 

[ironworker]

Wow, I had no idea they were this close. my bad.

just found this posted somewhere
ATI

Sun Pro 357
Aquablue 336
Blue Plus 311
Actinic 137

D&D/Giesemann

Midday 325
Aquablue 324
Actinic Plus 264
Pure Actinic 157

Yeh I just found out like a month ago they where that powerful. Its the true actinic that is so low. I took it out and replaced it with a actinic plus. Looks better too