how low is low light?

[sandiegan]

Okay this is a really weird question...
Would 192W of PC light on a 30g tank (36"x12wx19h) be considered low lighting or med light? Would I be able to keep more than shrooms and zoos in my tank with this (read as: can I have GSP and other cool things)? Thanks for any input

 

[snipe]

That would be able to keep soft corals. "NO" sps, clams or high demanding anemones.

 

[thomas712]

My opinion is that is a respectable amount of light for a 30 gallon. Good Medium lighting. I'd be willing to bet you could keep a few stonies with that. Try frogspawn and candycane to start out with.

 

[snipe]

I know it is up there for a 30 gallon but still I dont know if it would be enough to keep some demanding stuff.

 

[sandiegan]

Is there anychance I'd be able to keep a mini carpet or a BTA? Thanks for the help so far Snipe and Thomas

 

[thomas712]

I'd say yes on the BTA, but could you tell me the type,spectrum and age of your bulbs?
Thomas

 

[paulcoates]

With 260W over a 55 gallon, what type of lighting is that considered?
2-65W Power Compact
2-65W Actinics
Would this be considered Medium Light?
Here is a list of Corals I would like to own:
1stCare LevelDiet
Hard Tube Coco Worm ModerateFilter Feeder
Leather ToadstoolEasyMedium Light - Medium Flow
Orange Finger??
Pink Finger??
Yellow PolypsEasyMedium Light - Medium Flow
Yellow Fiji LeatherModerateModerate To High Light - Medium Flow
Zoos - Green EyeEasyMedium Light - Medium Flow
Zoos - RedEasyMedium Light - Medium Flow
Zoos - Silver EyeEasyStrong Light - Medium Flow
Zoos - Super OrangeEasyStrong Light - Medium Flow

 

[paulcoates]

Here is my 2nd list (after I successfully add the first ones)....Are any of these major lighting violations?
1stCare LevelDiet
FrogspawnDifficultStrong Light - Medium Flow
Fine GrapeModerateStrong Light - Medium Flow
HammerModerateStrong Light - Medium Flow
Mushroom Coral - Blue Stripe EasyMedium Light - Low Flow
Mushroom Coral - Fuzzy Grass EasyStrong Light - Medium Flow
Mushroom Coral - Green Rhodactis ??
Plate - GreenModerateMedium-Strong Light - Low Medium Flow
Plate Coral - Short TentacleEasyModerate - Low To Medium
Plate - Pink Long TentacleModerateStrong Light - Medium Flow
Plates - Neon GreenEasyStrong Light - Low Flow

 

[snipe]

260 would be on the low side. Around 320 something of pc on a 55 is 6 watts that would be medium. I am going with 440 either pc or vho I dont know for sure yet.

 

[paulcoates]

Well, those are the lights I have...
I was told by the LFS that those would be enough

 

[paulcoates]

Can I simply buy larger wattage bulbs?
I bought the 4x65watts
They also had a 4x110watts unit. Cant I simply buy the bigger bulbs and put them in the unit?

 

[snipe]

I dont think you could. It depends on the ballast you will have to open up the light and see how many watts the ballast can hold. It probly wont be able to withstand 4x110 that big of bulbs are usually for 72 inch units.