Power Compact

[luvmylo]

I was wondering if there are any sps I could maybe successfully attempt under power compact lighting. 55 gal with 260 watt pc.

[ckusnierek]

I have a 75g with 384w PC I think it was Whiskey that told me I may be abot to keep some Acros but real high in the tank. I do have a bunch of monti growing even on the bottom of the tank and it is growing like crazy!
BYW the Monti was growing even when I only has 198w PC

[kyrie_eleison]

cK,

If you serious about that; I may have to give that an attempt. I've always wanted acroporas.

[JY13131]

Originally Posted by kyrie_eleison

cK,

If you serious about that; I may have to give that an attempt. I've always wanted acroporas.

I don't think you are going to have much luck with acros and that lighting so if you do give it a try, just try a small one

[ReefNeck]

Acropora are the most light demanding SPS corals there are. I would be beside myself if anyone were successful with Acros under PC lighting unless it was some serious wattage and a shallow tank! Doubt very seriously it is possible.

[ckusnierek]

Quote from another thread I started:


Oh BTW,.. I have a friend with 4*96W PC over a 90G and he's keeping acropora, and there growing well!

Whiskey
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[luvmylo]

try some montipora first

[ChilisREasy]

about 5 watts of light per gallon..i tried 130w of PC witha 55 tall..it didnt work..you have alot more you should be able to do it.. try stylophora,digitata,monitpora plates, golden/yellow scroll.as starters

[ReefNeck]

Originally Posted by ChilisREasy

about 5 watts of light per gallon..i tried 130w of PC witha 55 tall..it didnt work..you have alot more you should be able to do it.. try stylophora,digitata,monitpora plates, golden/yellow scroll.as starters

Watts Per Gallon (WPG) Means absolutely nothing! It's the type of light, The spectrum and the penetration. the WPG theroy went out the window long ago! Power Compacts do not penetrate like T5HO's, VHO's or Metal Halides.

To me, It's not worth risking an animals life when the odds are against success.

[depitch]

I agree with reefneck.

I have coralife power compact lights on 75gal reef.
Only mushrooms, leather corals and gonipora have done OK.
If u want acro's u need better lighting.

Im about to upgrade to MH or T5 lights for my BTA.

HTH

Doug

[Reef-Keeper]

i have to agree with reefneck on this one too !! why take the chance ?? upgrade your lights and KNOW that you can do it. why risk an animals life to find out if you can or not ??

[Fly Guy]

I only have 3.3 watts per gallon over my SPS dominated 225. Does that mean i need more light??

[luvmylo]

yeah but you have metal halide light.

[hng]

Reefneck's right about the watts per gallon thing.

Now, back to the original question. I wouldn't recommend going with acroporas right away, not so much because of the lighting, but because they are really difficult to keep, even with good lighting. Start with a monitpora species (either cap or digitata) placed up high on the rocks and with good flow around them. See how they do. If they grow and encrust and have good colors, then try acros. Acros are expensive, and it's no fun losing a specimen that you paid tons of $$ for, but they CAN be kept under PCs under the right conditions.

[ChilisREasy]

Originally Posted by ReefNeck

Watts Per Gallon (WPG) Means absolutely nothing! It's the type of light, The spectrum and the penetration. the WPG theroy went out the window long ago! Power Compacts do not penetrate like T5HO's, VHO's or Metal Halides.

To me, It's not worth risking an animals life when the odds are against success.

Thank you !! finally someone cleared that up for me..i was always told different things from everyone, now i understand it finally !