A couple of questions

[Teeka]

1. How do you determine if the light is low to moderate? I am planning on getting 2X250 HQI MH and 2X 54 watt T5. My tank is a AGA Megaflow which is 48X24X24. What would this lighting be in this tank?

2. How do you determine water flow? Again I need to have low to moderate.
I am planning on adding a cls. Would this be to much flow?

[yardboy]

That lighting scheme wold be considered high in a tank of that size. I'd say, though it's just my unquantitative opinion, that using just the t5's would classify you as low to moderate lighting. You could have the metal halides come on for just an hour or two a day to give any higher light preferring animals a little jolt to get their photosynthetic systems into high gear.
The amount of flow will hinge on what size pump you put on the cls, minus any constrictions causing head pressure. Truthfully it's kind of difficult to get much more than moderate flow in most aquariums! Corals that require high flow, such as table acropora, are considered very difficult to maintain due to their flow needs.
What kind of livestock are you interested in keeping, since you are aiming for a low to moderate lighting/flow setup?

[Teeka]

I am on the list for some of Steve Tyree's waiting list for some of his limited editions.
Favia matthai Pink and Violet Colony
Echinopora mammiformis
Echinophyllia sp. Shu Tin Brick Red
Oxypora lacera

[yardboy]

I have Echino's on the bottom of my tank, one turnd perpendicular to the light and they are doing fine. I have Mycedium (similar in light requirements to an Oxypora) growing on the bottom, somewhat under a Montipora cap. I think your lighting regimen will be fine. For flow, that Favia won't want laminar flow, but it has to have some substantial flow. I had a clog in the intake of one of my cls pumps and lost a portion of one of my Favia's as a result.
Sunds like some great corals, good luck with them.

[Teeka]

Thank you for your help. So this lighting is considered high? I just want to know so I can get some other corals while I am on the waiting list for these.

[Teeka]

Is this too much light to keep some zoos? Dang all this lighting questions is driving me crazy.

[Geoff]

this could be to much light for zoas. when dealing with zoas it is a good idea to put them under ledges when MH's are involved. they will grow where they like from there.

just remember zoas are very toxic to mammals. be carefull when handling them. make sure to always wash your hands after touching a zoa.

G~