New Reef Question

The Shroom Meister · 01-16-2002, 08:46 PM

Hello again everyone, is 440 watts of PC lighting enough for Acro., Tridacna, Derasa claims and Mushrroms ? Working on a new tank theme and I would just like to know what you guys/girls think. Are they as good as VHO etc. Thanks a lot.

Remember, "failure is nothing more than a dress rehearsal for succss"

Doug1 · 01-16-2002, 10:48 PM

well you will get varied reports but, PC light is roughly equivalent to VHO in PAR and lumens.
I assume that you are refering to 8x55 when you say 440watts of PC, in which case VHO is a clear winner in $ IMO.
Shrooms arent that picky but for SPS and Tridacnid clams there are 2 basic rules, Big Metal Halide and a calcium reactor. I know you will see exceptions but if you read all the big boards you will see that 400w MH and calcium reactors are the preffered method for most successful SPS/Clam farmers

The Shroom Meister · 01-17-2002, 04:21 PM

Do you think the 440 watts of PC will hurt the shrooms ?

MontanaRocknReefer · 01-17-2002, 04:39 PM

Hey Reef Keeper! You could move the shrooms down toward the bottom or in a shaded area and see how things go. Most shrooms do not require alot of light or alot of current. Johnny

The Shroom Meister · 01-17-2002, 06:34 PM

Well the problem is, I'm thinking of trying the new PC's 440 watts total on my Shroom reef first. It has over 250 shrooms, I can't move them all to the lower half of the tank because there are so many.

mojoreef · 01-17-2002, 07:05 PM

Hey reef keeper the problem is that you want to keep a varity of corals and clams with completly different lighting requirments. On a larger system you can get away with this by finding some darke spots. I am not familar with the lighting set up you are talking about but is thier the possiblity on just not putting a couple of the bulbs in for now until you get another tank.

Just a thought
Mike

Fishaholic · 01-17-2002, 09:53 PM

I often get the urge to put one of those great looking Blue Maxima Clams in my 55 gallon because of the MH I have on it. The reason I don't is because I can maintain calcium at 440 - 480 with pickleing lime but with a big fast growing clam in there I do not think I could.

I would try the SPS first before the clam, I have seen when these guys (clam) go south in the LFS and it is quick.

julieanne399 · 01-18-2002, 10:26 AM

Well having learned the hard way, I started with PC, then VHO and now have gone to MH lighting. I have mushrooms, leathers, LPS, SPS and clams in my tanks. I had 600 watts of vho and pc on my 100 gallon and it was not enough to maintain sps and clams. LPS and softies do well. I upgraded to MH (250 watt bulbs) and the difference is phenomenal. I did get a slight bleaching of the mushrooms initially but they have since recovered and some moved on their own to down over the ledges a little. They are spreading like mad so must like it. I dont have a calcium reactor and dont have much trouble maintaining 400+ calcium levels in my tanks with additives. I use reef advantage. Works well, corals like it. Have fun. Julie

Allyson · 01-18-2002, 11:29 AM

I was thinking of going with the PC smartlamp for my 30 gal. cuz my LFS is going to give me a good deal. (My hubby is going to make him a rug with his company logo on it) I'm not going to venture into clams maybe a few SPS....After reading Julieann399's post made me think. Should I try to go with VHO's...I figured with the size of my tank I could get away with PCs.