Need Lighting Help

[InADream]

Here is my dilemma... I currently have a 2x175 MH setup... I just upgraded the reflectors (thanks to John) and am trying to keep an SPS tank... I have been doing tons of reading that the 175s are too little light for my corals... I have had a few brown out on me... Now with the new reflectors there is more light in the tank, but some of my zoos seem to be reaching from the sand bed...

Now do I upgrade to 250W bulbs and call it a day and be able to keep anything I want, or is something else hindering my SPS care... All parameters were checked by FAOIS and are great... I have tons of flow in the tank, and a good turnover rate... My temp swings no more than 2 degrees...

Help I am dumbfounded by this, all other corals are doing great...

Also if anyone has a good 250W kit (bulbs and ballast) they are willing to sell for a good price let me know... I am trying to be cheap but resonable...

Dream

[WarDaddy]

What else is in the tank? Tell us more about your set up.

GSP will hinder sps growth, for instance.

[InADream]

Well I have a GSP rock in the tank but it is away from the SPS... I have a few corals in there frogspawn, suncorals, candy cane coral, and a ton of zoos, but all are away from the SPS... Everything else is growing great, just no SPS... I have a green stylophora that has kept its color but no growth in two months...

Dream

[kybreos]

175s are plenty especially in your 46, how high from the water are the bulbs and what brand and kelvin?

[InADream]

They are hamilton 14ks they are 8 inches off the water surface...

Dream

[kybreos]

to me the hamiltons seemed week in their output- when it's time to change your bulbs go with aquaconnects or SPS blue life's they're much brighter in my opinion. make sure you are also running carbon.

[InADream]

Well the hamiltons are only 2 months old... If I am going to upgrade to the aquaconnects I will probably do the 250`s... I am not running carbon is it a must or should I work on the bulbs first...

Dream

[kybreos]

definately do the carbon first- it's the cheapest way if doesn't help youre only out around 20 or so dollars. the carbon will help get rid of some the chemicals from the corals that may inhibiting.

[InADream]

I forgot to mention that I have a Crocea Clam, and I thought I read somewhere running carbon can hurt with a clam...

Dream

[kybreos]

i've never heard that one before. All carbon does is pull stuff out unless it's real cheapo stuff.

[InADream]

I will give that a shot tomorrow and see if that helps, I appreciate all the help...

Dream

[bigt0706]

dont go with sps bulbs the only advantage for for runing 250 on a tank that size is if u wanted to run 20k other wise u have plenty of light i would try runing carbon first and also how old is the tank, stabilty of water prams and what is your phos leval and it will take a couple of weeks to notice a change from the reflectors

[WarDaddy]

GSP are one of the most toxic corals that you can place in a reef tank. Their defense is to produce toxins and release them into the water. SPS do not fare well against this chemical attack.

There are not a lot of quality discussion on it here, but you may find some on the Marine Depot Forums or any good google search.

If you really want SPS, it is a good idea to remove the GSP.

If you want to try the GSP, I suggest a lot of carbon changing it every other week, if not weekly and doing a minimum of 20% water changes weekly.

[rogergolf66]

just wondering you said you have good flow. how much flow is good flow?

also how deep is your tank?

What is your Cal & Alk? and what are you dosing for it?

[magnoliarichj]

flow water changes cal. and alk maint. thats it.

[InADream]

I went over to FAOIS and talkd with john today and he started me on some carbon and I will take it from there... I also got a few new filter socks with a better micron rating to remove the excess stuff... I am going to work on cleaning up the tank and seeing if he carbon and the reflectors help.. Also I am going to try and deal with the GSP if not will trade someone or just get rid of it all together...

Thanks to all for the help I will keep everyone updated...

Dream

[rogergolf66]

not going to aswer the question?

[InADream]

Oh sorry roger got tied up and tried answering... My calcium and alkalinity stay stable at 450 and 10dkh... I dose 2 part everyday...My tank is 18" deep I have a 2 inch sand bed and all corals are on the rockwork... As for flow I have a hydor Koralia #2 (2) 300 gph powerheads and my return pump that is turning roughly 420 GPH...

Dream

[rogergolf66]

Well everything looks good but the flow. that is super low for SPS on 7 times per hour. MY SPS tank is 40 times per hour. I would increase the flow. Return pump is not really counted as flow inless it is closed loop.

You want a min of 20 times turn over flow in display. I am not talking about from the sump to the display. I am only talking about flow in the display setup. even with the return pump you are only at 15 times per hour. I would say that is still low for a SPS tank.

JMO I would get at min 2 more of the #2 so you would have a toltal of 3 #2.

I think you have plenty of light for a tank only 18 inches deep.

Increase you flow in the display.

Roger

[InADream]

Thanks Roger I will get a few more or would it be to much to increase to 3 #4`s and remove the others...

I also am getting ready to install a SCWD, would that benefit at all...

Dream

[rogergolf66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11044349#post11044349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InADream
Thanks Roger I will get a few more or would it be to much to increase to 3 #4`s and remove the others...

I also am getting ready to install a SCWD, would that benefit at all...

Dream

well the SCWD I have heard they reduce the flow a lot. they are good at creating different water patters. Also I have heard they are noisy so if it is in the living room just a thought.

as far as #4 well what is your sand bed?

fine sand if so it will fly around with a small tank like that. I wouldn't go larger then the #3's maybe 2 of them. but remember the water moving from more places is better then alot of movement from one place.

[InADream]

Yeah I see what you are saying... the SCWD I got for 15 bucks so it is worth a shot at using... I will look into getting 2 #3`s because my sand bed is the finer sand and it blows a little now...

Dream

[InADream]

Ok I just went out and got 1 hydor #3... Man it adds a ton of flow to the tank... One question I have is my clam ok in a high flow area... I mean it is not directly pointed at the clam but the flaps of the clam move a bit... i would think since they filter feed it would be better, but not sure...

Dream

[rogergolf66]

what type of clam?

the flaps can sway a bit but cant flip onto of it self.

again what kind?

Now you are getting closer to the flow needs for SPS

[InADream]

Ok it is a crocea and I redirected the flow off the glass front of the tank and the flaps only sway once in awhile... Now my zoos and bubble coral are getting a ton of flow but they can handle it... I figure one more #3 or #2 should be a good amount of flow... With just the #3 it turns the water over 17 per hour...

On my way, thanks roger been a big help...

Just an update my water clarity seems to have improved thanks to the carbon, thanks kybreos for the suggestion and thanks John for setting me up... Never new that there was a hole new water parameter guide for SPS, John gave me a great explanation on it... Always learning...

Dream

[rogergolf66]

I think one more #2 will be fine.

my Crocea is in a good amount of flow but not direct flow. it should be fine.

Roger