Is 126watts enough for Frogspawns?

Is 150w Metal Halide enough for Frogspawns in a 46 gallon?

I have 96watts of 50/50 PC, and 2x15 watts of 425mm Actinic. Total of 126watts.

Will this be enough to sustain a Frogspawn if I were to keep the lights on for 12 hours a day? I'm really hesitant about upgrading to metal halides to save some money...

Tank is a 46gallon bowfront.


EDIT!

Found a great deal on a K2 Viper clamp-on metal halide fixture. 150watt model. Will this be any better? I can always supplement the metal halide with my 96watt PC if possible, but I'd like to have an open top and simplify my setup as much as possible.

 

for a 46 gallon.. imo that won't be enough..

 

In my opinion that is not enough lighting. Frogspawn requires medium-low lighting and that is more on the low side of lighting for that size of a tank. You could probably keep it but I do not see it growing very fast and not sure how health it would be. I guess if it was on the top part of the tank you would have more success. Anyone else wanna chime in?

*EDIT* Reefchaos beat me to the post.

 

Does tank capacity play a bigger role in determining light "strength" than say, distance from the light? Does anyone here have LPS with PCs?

Anyone want to chime in?:

Main thing I have trouble with is that so many people regurgitate information about light strength or just say they don't "feel" it's enough, I'm wondering if anyone has actual experience with having LPS under said lighting (or similar) and whether they experienced any problems.

Although I appreciate your input, I'm looking for experienced advice.

 

The deeper you go the weaker the par value is; so the closer to the light the better. You can keeps LPS with PC just not enough PC in your tank. I would double it to be safe. So say 252w of PC.

 

Gotcha, Thanks!

 

I have kept SPS with PC... Granted they were montiporas and in the top third but it is possible... LPS are more dependant on food than light anyway, hence the large polyps for catching prey. It will most likely be fine but you should target feed it 3 times a week or so for sustained health. Honestly I would do a single 150-175w mh pendant, maybe 14,000k and you will be able to keep what ever you want in there(well, almost) or you could do a 36" Tek or TX5 and see where that goes.... I can guarentee with almost 100% certainty that if you used a TX5 on the bow you could grow clams on the sand bed....

Good luck!

 

Mine did ok under 50/50 pc in 44gallon coner tank for about 8 months,it did lose its color though, changing from green to light brown.Upgraded to m/h about 3 months ago and its color is great,size has doubled,same for everything else in my tank, I would "take the leap" youll be glad you did. Dave

 

Thank you everyone for the great input. I think I should just go for Metal Halides... one time investment anyway right?

 

EDIT: First post has been edited.

Found a 150watt K2 Viper Metal Halide. Any thoughts on this fixture? Will it be enough in a 46 gallon? I will only be keeping Frogspawns and possibly some leather coral.