enough or too much?

Discussion in 'Reef Lighting' started by anb, Jun 26, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Texas
    I've got a 24 gal bio-cube. I've purchased a fixture with a 150w MH and 2 14K(maybe 15K? forgot which exactly) actinic bulbs. Enough light or too much light?
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    With a 24 gallon tank the 150 watt metal halide will be enough all by it's self. Not too much for the stony corals. I would sure keep lps in the sand bed and acclimate all existing corals to the new fixture slowly. Watch your water temperature as well.

    Is this a stock bulb?
     
  4. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Texas
    I'm sorry, I'm not 100% on what you mean by "stock bulb". It already came with the fixture, but not with the lid on the tank when i bought it. ??

    It has raised the temp between 2&3 degrees, i attached the crappy fan they sent with it yesterday but it doesn't seem to be helping just a whole lot. I'll have to figure something else out.

    As of now, I only have a zoa colony and a feather duster in the tank, but I'm so excited about the possibilities. Just want to make sure I'm not going to harm anything...
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Stock bulb is just the one that came with the fixture. Consider looking into a Phoenix bulb or a Radium if your goal is to keep SPS down the road. Most stock bulbs are fine until you want to start seeing better growth and color.

    I keep my zoanthids in the sand bed, you might see some shifts in coloration if they are placed too high up in the tank, under MH lighting.
     
  6. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2011
    Messages:
    377
    Location:
    Texas
    The zoa's are on the sand, I was just concerned that since the tank is only so deep, it'd be too strong. My goal most definitely is growth and I'd like to be able to keep all types. My first thought was a long tentacle anemone. You think it'd be ok?
     
  7. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Yes that should be fine, you might want to start with an LPS, like some acans or a duncan and see how they do. Heliofungia tend to be a little picky, at least they have always been for me, especially in smaller tanks. If you get one I would try placement not directly under the fixture but off to one side in the sand bed.