Icecap 660

[ags]

Okay I broke down and ordered one this morning but I am concerned about some of the corals I currently have in my tank. I know leathers are low light corals and some thrive in higher light but could I possible kill them by going from 190 to 440 watts? I plan on adding one buld or so a week to acclimate them properly but when it is all said and done will I have too much light for my corals? I know the button polyps, star polyps, hammer, fox, and pearl bubble will be okay but I am concerned about my finger and toadstool leathers and mushrooms. Anything I should know or do to lessen the blow?

 

[quazi]

I have 330w on my 55. I have all the softies you mention. They did better when I increased my light from 220 to 330. They were really happy when I changed my bulbs after 9 months. They seem to thrive with lots of light. Also, some find their way to shadowy areas, and do OK.
I use an icecap 430 w/2 URI 50/50s and 1 URI Actinic. I will switch to all white actinics next year, when I change bulbs again. The tank is just too blue right now.
I addition to all the corals you mentioned, I keep acoporas and other SPS. FWIW.
Mike

 

[fishfanny79]

I don't have my tank set up yet (55 gallon) but have been doing research and figuring out what I need. I have decided to go the 'reef way' and had asked about lighting. I was told to go with the IceCap 660 ballast and 4 URI 48" 110 watt bulbs. My main concern was that it would be too much for the corals that I will buy that are low or medium light. Problem lies in the fact that I will want some corals that are high light. I was told it will be no problem. Corals needing low light will be ok with strong lighting. Anyone want to comment on that? Also, for my 55, what do you think of me using 2 MAXI-JET 900 POWERHEAD 230GPH. I was going to get 2 ZOO POWER SWEEP 228 POWERHEAD's but was told they are crap and a lot of maintenence because they clog up. Last thing I want is clogging powerhead's.
ANY comments are GREATLY appreciated!

 

[jedimaster]

You can't go wrong with the maxi jets, but I would recomend the 1200's I have a 600 and a 1200. The 1200 needs cleaning far less often than the 600 does.

 

[ags]

So based on my planned increase in light do you think I need to do any acclimation? Also my concern with the leathers is both my finger and toadstool sit between half way up my tank (finger) and about a third of the way up my tank (toadstool). My main concern is the finger because when opened up fully he comes darn close to the top of the tank and has a hold of the largest piece of LR I have. The finger is probably 8-10 inches tall when being all he can be. One of you suggested they would move to a lower light area but I have never seen either one of them move in the 6 months that I have had them. The finger is the first coral I bought and has survived all my mistakes and inexperience so I am particularly sensitive of it. Stupid I know but I like the big fella.

 

[q]

I have a toadstool in my tank that is 12 inches tall and is mounted off to the side of the tank so it deosn't get the full 790 watts of light.
When i got it it took about a month to fully open up and get used to the light. Now it is open all the time.
I would acclimate it slowly. How slow? I would just watch the corals and let them tell you how fast to go.
Hope it helps