smooth skin acropora par and spectrum

fishmonkey · Mar 25, 2022

I'm considering making my next tank a deepwater softskin acro tank and was wondering what is the lowest par and most preferred par for those corals in general.

I wanted to get the 48 inch aquatic life t5 hybrid with two a160we Kessils for a 120 gallon tank. I assume I can achieve around 200-300 par all around the middle tank with the Kessil's on full blast and all white.

This would significantly lower the cost of what I'm trying to do if it would work but at the same time don't want to waste money and am considering getting the ATI 6 bulb or even the 8 bulb and use Kessils for shimmer and maybe even just go for a normal acro tank at that point.

Also I would like to know if they prefer more blue light than white light because they are "deep water" or if it even matters.

This will be my first acropora tank and I know smooth skins are harder but I'm up for the challenge plus they are my favorite. I think I might be able to get away with lower par for them but still not sure. Anyone have any opinions or advice?

Big E · Mar 25, 2022

T5 as the workhorse and Kessil for shimmer would be my choice regardless of smooth skin or general acro population. This is more because of spectral distribution and coverage consistency across the whole tank.

ATI 6 bulb with Kessils would be plenty of light.

You can save some $ by going with T5 Let kits. Anyone can wire these and it's easy to make an open floating canopy that consists of 4 boards as the frame. This a much cleaner look than multiple fixtures regardless of light fixture choice. Using the LET kits also gives you all kinds of flexibility in the future.

Smooth skins in general can do well under lower light 200-250, where some other acros won't color well, but they aren't going to bleach at levels between 300-400.

I consider lower flow levels more important as they all come protected (from heavy flow) reef environments.

fishmonkey · Mar 25, 2022

Big E said:
T5 as the workhorse and Kessil for shimmer would be my choice regardless of smooth skin or general acro population. This is more because of spectral distribution and coverage consistency across the whole tank.

ATI 6 bulb with Kessils would be plenty of light.

You can save some $ by going with T5 Let kits. Anyone can wire these and it's easy to make an open floating canopy that consists of 4 boards as the frame. This a much cleaner look than multiple fixtures regardless of light fixture choice. Using the LET kits also gives you all kinds of flexibility in the future.

Smooth skins in general can do well under lower light 200-250, where some other acros won't color well, but they aren't going to bleach at levels between 300-400.

I consider lower flow levels more important as they all come protected (from heavy flow) reef environments.