SPS and Lighting Question

[willow grove]

I currently have a 120 gallon reef tank (48x24x24) and have been using a Coralife Aqualight Pro for the lighting. It has 2 250 watt Metal Halides and 2 96watt Power Compacts - for a total of 696 watts. The metal Halide bulbs are XM 15000k. I have mostly SPS coral (various Acropora) with a few LPS. I have been placing my acropora corals on upper third portion of my tank - as close to the light source as I can put them - and they have been doing very well (lots of growth and color). My problem is that I am running out of room at the top, but would still like to add more Acros to my tank. With the light I am using, can I get away with placing acroporas in the middle and bottom of my tank? I would just experiment on my own with this, but all of my corals have grown into eachother and my rock, making them very difficult to move. Does anyone out there have experience with this lighting and acropora coral?

 

[wangotango]

They should be fine anywhere in the tank really. Not sure about the PAR from the 15K XM, but most 250w halides can easily reach a 24" depth.
-Justin

 

[gatorwpb]

Agreed. With a 24" Deep tank and 250w MH you should be fine with sps anywhere.

Something tells me that par may be a bit low with the XM15k compared to other bulbs, but I dont know specifically. Ive heard amazing things about 250w phoenix 14ks and I use the 150w versions and theyre great. Ive heard positive things about Radium 20ks, as they have high par for a 20k bulb.
If you get really worried, check out 10k bulbs for extra par, something like Aqualine AB 10ks will be a white/blue color and not yellow.

 

[markandkri]

Originally Posted by GatorWPB
http:///forum/post/2798608
Agreed. With a 24" Deep tank and 250w MH you should be fine with sps anywhere.

Something tells me that par may be a bit low with the XM15k compared to other bulbs, but I dont know specifically. Ive heard amazing things about 250w phoenix 14ks and I use the 150w versions and theyre great. Ive heard positive things about Radium 20ks, as they have high par for a 20k bulb.
If you get really worried, check out 10k bulbs for extra par, something like Aqualine AB 10ks will be a white/blue color and not yellow.
i agree on the phoenix 14ks good bulb
i have heard the same thing on par with the xm 15ks