how low can SPS go

I am curious how far away (in inchs) from 250 watt MH light can SPS survive? My tank is 24" deep and my light is about 6" off the water. Does anyone have any experience with growing SPS near the bottom of the tank. This is the fixture I am running.

48" Current USA Outer Orbit 2x250W 10,000K HQI-MH w/ 4x54W T5 HO & 18 Lunar Lights* - AquaCave

 

30 inches ??

 

Is this a guess or experience or are you referring to my deminsions? I am looking for more of experience to see what success or pitfalls others have had.

 

i read it some where in one of these lighting threads

 

ive looked but cant really find what im looking for.

 

This is a question that can't be answered. Is it a deepwater SPS or is it one that lives on a reef crest. Here's a good article. OZ REEF - Coral Reef Zonation

 

Depends on what type of sps you want down there. I have monti down at about 2-3 inches off my sandbed and are growing. so... saying sps will grow at the bottom is being too vague.... most birds nest, monti, , pocillapora, and stylos should thrive in bottom half of your tank.

 

Thanks, Im having trouble with getting the link to work. prob an issue with my computer. Thanks I will continue to try.

This is helpful. I just want my tank to be kinda balanced and look natural as I can. not just all SPS up top and softies on the bottom. Thanks

 

I don't have experience with MH lighting, so you may want to disregard my input, but I had a purple monti digitata under a 4x54w T5 HO fixture with a gull wing and it was about 16" under the surface. It grew very well, but browned out, so you can definitely keep sps alive with underpowered lights, but you probably won't get great color or growth. However, I now have a 6x54W Tek T5 fixture and can keep montiora and birdsnests, digitata nearly 20" under the light with good growth and color. I think you'll be fine. If you're really worried about it, just keep lower light sps at the bottom, if your really really worried about it, get two 400w MH pendents.

 

They can "survive" (most) on the bottom.. Growth and color won't be there for ya though.. A lot of things will turn brown. Like inwall said you would need a more specific scenario... what bulb, reflector, ballast, SPS coral .