Minimum Lighting for SPS?

[rylan1]

What is the minmum lighting for SPS?
I am setting up a new tank that I plan to have SPS in with a few softies. When the setup is complete I will have about 5.8 watts per gallon. I am using 6 HO T-5's and a 110 VHO.
The corals I plan to keep are:
Some different Monti varieties.
Acoropora
Pocillopora
Porites
Clam
Question is... is this enough for these corals?

 

[m0nk]

IMO, that should be fine. The VHO lights aren't going to be the determining factor, the T-5s are. If the T-5 are somewhat powerful, and have good reflectors, you should be fine. Of course, this is assuming you don't have a really tall tank....

 

[kevin34]

I agree with Monk. You will need good reflectors. What size is the tank?

 

[travis89]

I don't think you will even need the VHO to keep SPS as long as you have good reflectors on the T5, what size tank is it?

 

[teen]

you should be fine with that. i agree with the t-5s need individual reflectors, but those vho's will definetly help as well.

 

[rylan1]

Its a 75. Not sure of the depth... 24in?
I have a nova system. I've though about reflectors. Do you think the ones that are on the market will fit..I think they are Icecaps. They are around $30 or so.
Other question... I am planning to put an Eibli Angel in there. Do think it will pick at corals or clam?

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by Rylan1
Its a 75. Not sure of the depth... 24in?
Other question... I am planning to put an Eibli Angel in there. Do think it will pick at corals or clam?
Almost all angels will pick at coral, though there's a lesser chance of dwarf angels doing it. This one will have a likelyhood the same as a flame or coral beauty, 50/50, imo.

 

[teen]

Originally Posted by Rylan1
Its a 75. Not sure of the depth... 24in?
I have a nova system. I've though about reflectors. Do you think the ones that are on the market will fit..I think they are Icecaps. They are around $30 or so.
Other question... I am planning to put an Eibli Angel in there. Do think it will pick at corals or clam?
not sure about the reflectors, but the eibli angel isnt a wise choice IMO.

 

[nycbob]

make sure to do research b4 adding softies w sps. certain softies like leathers will release chemical which is detrimental to hard corals.

 

[wangotango]

I don't think the Icecap SLR reflectors will fit inside the nova.
-Justin

 

[volcom69]

Run alot of carbon in ur tank if ur gonna have a mix tank and u should be ok with what u want to keep.

 

[rylan1]

Originally Posted by nycbob
make sure to do research b4 adding softies w sps. certain softies like leathers will release chemical which is detrimental to hard corals.
I've heard that. I was thinking maybe 1 leather. I like yellow leathers. What other softies should I stay away from?

 

[teen]

you should stay away from leathers in particular.

 

[nycbob]

yellow is fine. i hv one leather in my tank. i run my carbon occasionally.