SPS with VHO's?

hng · 06-26-2006, 02:11 PM

I've got a 30 gal tank (18 inches deep) with 3 VHO's over it, total of 270 watts. I have a couple of monti frags under them and they seem to be doing OK - polyps extended, but haven't had them long enough to comment on growth rate. One was brown and the other green. So far, the green monti has kept it's color. Both are very high in the tank, just under the water surface. Here's my question, what types of SPS have ppl had good success with under these conditions - VHO light, shallow tank? Should I just stick with monti's or will acropora do well? How about birdsnests? I have read that they will likely live, but I wanna know if they will keep their color and grow - I don't want a bunch of brown frags

Twitterbait · 06-26-2006, 02:30 PM

Look at some montipora digitata (digi) they do ok under the VHO. you can also try a pink birdsnest too. you have plenty of watts for it. i would give it a try with some frags.

hng · 06-26-2006, 02:33 PM

Here's my monti dig, before I mounted it with superglue gel. It keeps it's polyps out and I think it's starting to grow some.

Twitterbait · 06-26-2006, 03:31 PM

yup, that guy should do fine. you can find many variations on the same type of coral so look around. i have 5 different colors.

Wiskey · 06-26-2006, 03:44 PM

I read a thread a little while ago all about tanks lit by VHO. There was one person in perticular that had about every type of SPS coral under the sun in his VHO tank with great color and growth.

I think the trick is to get enough of them, (Like literly as many as will fit), and change them every 6 months and you are good to go.

HTH,
Whiskey

Casey · 06-26-2006, 03:55 PM

I would stick to the montis with the lights you have,the others just wont color up good for you or grow fast.

hng · 06-26-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

I would stick to the montis with the lights you have,the others just wont color up good for you or grow fast.

Would it make much of a difference if I bump it up to 4 VHO's (total of 360 watts)? How about if I add a T5 bulb in there, I heard that T5's have very intense light?

Casey · 06-26-2006, 04:53 PM

T5s are great and would help alot.people are reporting good results with them,cram as many in the hood as you can.

Wiskey · 06-26-2006, 05:15 PM

Here is the deal, I would bet you could do it with the 4 Vho's, in fact I bet you could do it with 3, but if you are new to SPS I think it would be the best idea to get a 250W MH with 1 or 2 of those VHO for atinic. When you get the feel for the corals, and you know what you are looking for, you can go back and experiment with less light.

The problem is that if you run into problems with your tank, as soon as you say "I am running 4 VHO's" everyone is going to peg light as the problem, when it may not be.

HTH,
Whiskey

hng · 06-26-2006, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

The problem is that if you run into problems with your tank, as soon as you say "I am running 4 VHO's" everyone is going to peg light as the problem, when it may not be.

I feel like I'm gonna have a target on my chest

Wiskey · 06-27-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hng

I feel like I'm gonna have a target on my chest

Ya but you'll get used to it eventually

Start the way you are IMHO, digi's and caps. Then when you get the feel, try maybe a stylophora or policapora, and if you find a frag cheap, then move up to acropora and just see how it does.

I have a friend with a 90G tank using 4* 96W PC, and a really bad reflector, he can grow about anything in the top half of the tank, great growth rate too.

Whiskey

borgy · 06-27-2006, 03:31 AM

You can do it. We have VHO over our frag tank. The more you can have over your tank, the better.
We have SPS growth and coloration. It can be done. We keep our corals fairly high in the tank, and catch some guff about "needing to go to MH". But, so far this is working for us. I am adding 2 more tubes soon, as I would like more watts per gallon.
If you want to try VHO, add as many lights as you can over your tank. I have been told to keep the ratio (white/actinic) even so have 2,4,6, etc tubes and you should be good to go. If you have trouble, you can upgrade to MH easily enough then. Good Luck to you.

zxcv123 · 06-27-2006, 10:05 AM

I say go for it! get some small tiny frags of acro and monti and see how they do. Just place them near the top!

motorslave · 06-27-2006, 10:12 AM

Make sure you keep the water parameters very stable. Also get as much flow in there as you can and get the biggest skimmer you can!

Robert

Wiskey · 06-27-2006, 10:28 AM

Oh ya and one more thing, get those bulbs as close to the surface of the water as possible. You would not beleave the diffrence in light just 1/2 inch makes.

Whiskey