power compact lights

[mmmsalty]

im wondering about my lighting, i have a 55 gallon with a pc hood,there are 4 bulbs: 2 actinic & 2 10,000K w/ a total of 260 watts. i thought when i purchased this that it would be sufficient, but no matter how many books i read i can't seem to find out if this will give me problems with any particular corals or anenomes (as in not good enough lighting).
any input greatly appreciated, there seem to be some knowledable folks here.:jumping:

 

[lion_crazz]

what type of corals are you looking to keep? For most things, 4 watts of lighting is plenty. You just don't want to try and attempt any hard corals such as acros, or clams. Mushrooms, leathers, fingers, hammers, torches, brains, etc. should all do okay with 4, almost 5 watts of light.

 

[viper_930]

Zoos, shrooms, xenia, any leathers, any lps, maybe a montipora (i think), and anemones (except carpets) will do well. No acropora sps corals or clams.

 

[liquidskys]

you can keep TONS of species of corals with your PC lighting..
I currently have PC lighting as well. and have had ALOT of sucsess with
xeina, Kenya tree, Frogspawn, zoo's, mushrooms, rics, and even Orange cap!
you are limited when it comes to the hard corals you can keep but there are still alot that you can.. I honestly dont know there names cause im not into hard's yet besides my orange cap this is growing like crazy. but I know there are many you can keep..
you can also keep some clams.. Again I dont know their names.. they are the brown color ones..
I know that you can not keep the blue or purple ones though..

 

[viper_930]

Originally posted by liquidskys
you can also keep some clams.. Again I dont know their names.. they are the brown color ones..
You are refering to squamosas, derasas, and/or gigas. It is true they do not need as much lighting as maximas or croceas, but 260 watts is still not enough for them.