Powercompacts.

Im building a tank right now wich water depth will be 22 inches, the only light source avaliable to me right now are 96w powercompacts, how many strips would you recomend? i have been thinking about two 10k and one actinic wich would be 1 watt per liter for this tank but the depth is what got me thinking.

What would you think would be the effective depth of 2, 3 or 4 pc bulbs? (1 bulb= 1 socket)

 

What are you wanting to keep under these lights?
FOWLR?
Danny

 

I have been thinking on taking things slowly, first start as Fish with some easy inverts and lots of LR, then add corals slowly untill i get a nice looking tank, i have been thinking in buttons and softies mostly altho it would be nice to be able to keep some mushrooms, leather corals, anemone, nothing too fancy, i know that with PC even if i use 3 strips i wouldnt be able to have most SPS but at least some, i dont want much of a stocking, just an open posibility.

 

With good bulbs, you should be able to keep everything you listed above, with the possible exception of the anmone and sps. Maybe you could keep some alive for a little while, but it would be improbable for long term success. You could add LPS to the list of what you'd be able to keep though.

 

I ussually see 2 bulbs strips but since i am building my own lighting i could use up to 4 bulbs but i think i wouldnt really achieve much more with anything with more than 3 PC's.

Couls you tell me wich would be the efective depth of 2, 3 and 4 bulb configurations?

 

could you not save up and retrofit a t 5 setup?

 

Not likelly, i live in venezuela and we have been having importing problems and the shops are pretty empty and whatever i could find is too expensive, maybe in the future but not for now, just cant find it here, oh and no chance of buying online because we have a maximun anual e-dollar amount of 400$ per person.

 

ah i see.

 

Couls you tell me wich would be the efective depth of 2, 3 and 4 bulb configurations?

I don't know about that, but go with the 4 bulbs..
The depth will be 22 inches.. But.....

Would that be 22 inches with a 2 or 3 inch sand or what ever..?
Plus your liverock will raise everything up closer to the top..
You really don't put much right on the bottom, just plate corals, etc..
Easy to get things closer to the lights, with liverock..
anemone and SPS would best to stay away from.. You may find some SPS that would work..
What size tank is it..??

think i wouldnt really achieve much more with anything with more than 3 PC's.
I think 4 would make a difference..
I run 8 bulbs on a custom 60 gal..
4 PC's ( upgraded bulbs ) ... And 4 T5 HO ...
Good Luck, Larry

 

Thank you man! i really need some hard info on that, the tank is 96cmX50cmX60cm in inches that is arround 38x22x24 i plan on a deep sand bed of at least 4 inches and keeping 2 inches of air space in the top so my actuall depth of water would be 18 to 19 inches (depending on the part of the tank). roughly 75 gal tank.

Hmm so 4 would be good? thats nice to hear, i guess i could go that way.
Thank you so much!