Too much light?

[Sfgiants55]

I just got the new rimless 30 gallon nano cube and was thinking about getting a current outer orbit fixture. I found one locally and it's 24 inches has a 250watt mh and 4x24 watt T5s. I will only be keeping zoas and lps and am concerned that this might be overkill and actually kill the zoas?

 

[GratefulReef]

Im not an expert on MH but I would assume you could hang it a little higher and it would be ok. Im sure someone will chime in soon with more knowledge and help you further.

 

[Sfgiants55]

True but this fixture comes with legs so I was hoping that I wouldnt have to hang it.

 

[amppdx]

I have a standard 29g with LPS, zoas and mushrooms that has a 175W MH. My zoas grow pretty happily at all depths. I have a frag rack that is just a couple inches off the surface and they actually grow best there so I dont think your 250W would be overkill at greater depths. In my experience acclimation is the key. FWIW though I dont have any "exotic" zoas.

 

[Pkunk35]

IMO That sounds like overkill on the lighting for a 30 gal cube to me. The nice thing would be if you ever decided to go SPS you would have the lighting for it but since you said zoa and LPS I'm thinking you are going to be battling heat issues and too much light for many of those species.

 

[coder35]

I think a light fixture with 250watt mh and 4x24 watt T5s would be too much for such a small tank.
You could grow anything on that tank even with 4x24w T5.

I use 4x24w T5 on my 35g nano with sps dorminated reef.