Lighting for Corals???

[lionfish]

LionFish says.....
Well, I need some help from anybody who knows lighting. In my 20 gallon reef I bought a pre made lighting system. Works great, I can keep almost any coral I want. I now am setting up a 70 gallon reef. I was checking all these places and I saw Metal Halides, Actinic Blue, and other lights. I want to be able to keep all kinds of coral. I was recently told that I didn't have enough lighting for Flowerpot coral. So I want strong lights. So ccan anybody tell me what kinds of lights I should, how much it would cost and how many watts per gallon.

 

[mr . salty]

Lionfish,I would go with one or two 175watt german MH 10K's with blue actinic flo's as supplimens..As far as wattage,I'm with SAMMY as far as placement is more important than wattage. Put the light loving corals closer to the light,and the others further away.

 

[reptilicus]

Hi,
if you want to keep everything, go MH. I have 400-watt MH's, if you really want to keep everything I'd go 400's or at least 250's, although 175's can keep most things.
6500K have the highest PAR, ie are the brightest and have the most light useful to corals. German 10kK are the next best, these are what I much prefer their look to the 6500K Iwasaki bulb (too yellow for my liking). Actinic supplement is a good idea as it enhances the colours of the corals, VHO is good although NO will do. I have NO at the moment however I would like to upgrade to VHO, the only problem is I live in Australia and have to import a VHO ballast from the US or Europe, so it gets a little hard. However, I beleive it is worth the effort. You can use PC supplement however PC actinics are not true actinic, and your corals will not fluoresce like they will under VHO.
Regarding a flowerpot coral, they do not need that much light but are one of the most difficult corals to keep, requiring a large amount of food such as can be provided from a healthy live sand bed. I would not attempt this coral first up as it is one of the most difficult corals to keep.
Regarding mushrooms, I have them all over the place in my tank some even up near the top under 400-watt MH's they do not mind the light at all. Sea Rock, do not worry you have good lighting I'm sure your mushrooms will adjust.
Regards,
Tom