need help arranging corals

Discussion in 'SPS Corals' started by VPBassist, Jan 6, 2012.

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  1. VPBassist

    VPBassist Bristle Worm

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    Do all SPS need similar lighting intensities or do the vary from species to species? I'm constructing an "atoll" aquascape, one large rock in the center and sloping sides that come down to form a crescent shape. Right now I'm trying to determine where specific SPS need to go in the tank since as the rock goes lower into the water column the PAR rating goes down. the closest point will be about 6-4 inches from the water surface, the lowest point will be about 14" away.

    Assuming different SPS need different PAR intensities then how would arrange these corals from highest to lowest in the water column?
    montipora
    acropora
    digitata
    pocillpora
    millepora
     
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  3. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    What would definitively help this thread would be pictures of the aquascape as well as powerhead and lighting information!
     
  4. VPBassist

    VPBassist Bristle Worm

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    I haven't set the tank up so this isn't my tank but the rock formation is similar to what I want to achieve. The flow will be close to 650gph, 1 aqueon 500gph pump and a Current USA internal filter with dual-nozzels does 160gph. The lighting isn't set in stone yet. I'm leaning toward the boostLED par30 but I'm not sure how many I will need. It's a 16g bowfront tank.

    The corals I have in mind are mostly acroporas and montiporas and 1 digitata
     

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  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Acroporas on top, branching montis in the middle and plating montis near the bottom.
     
  6. VPBassist

    VPBassist Bristle Worm

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    Thanks 2in10. What about cap montis or "shelving" montis?
     
  7. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    They seem to be good in the branching Monti zone to acro zone. Maybe sort of in between.
     
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  9. VPBassist

    VPBassist Bristle Worm

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    Thanks again. Do you have an idea as to how many PAR30 lights I might need over this tank?
     
  10. chelonianraces

    chelonianraces Flamingo Tongue

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    Assuming it's an SPS tank i would say you need 3 with 40 Degree Lens for better PAR penetration.