2x96watt Power Compact enough for reef?

[RyDoggsReef]

Hey Guys.

I have a 40 gallon tank, its 36" long 17"high and 15" deep.
I have a pretty think layer of sand and a good amount of live rock. I'm looking into getting some upgraded lighting to start going more in the reef direction with corals and anemones and what not. I found a Power Compact set up with 2x96W bulbs and LED lighting, I would replace the bulbs to they are all white. I would use this along with my 36" 20W PC light.
Overall this would give me a about 212W of light on my tank, approx 5WPG.

heres a link to the site I found the lights if you wanna check em out:
http://www.aquatraders.com/36-192W-dual-strip-power-compact-lighting-advance.aspx

Just wondering if you guys think this works for going in the general reef direction.

Thanks !

[OneReef]

depends on what you are wanting to keep. mushrooms and zoanthids, it is probably enough light. SPS/clams/certain anemones, not enough.

[spw4949]

I have a 2x96watt on my 46 gallon & I have zoas,ricordea,& some LPS and they are all doing well. I have a torch that I have to keep in the upper 3rd of the tank, a frogspawn that needs to be in the upper half, etc. Like OneReef said, if you stick to mushrooms,zoas,& the LPS you should be fine.

[Guygettnby]

i would say dish out alittle more money and get a good light. that is one thing i wish i did from the get go is get a really good light right away. i will personaly never buy another PC light again, so if i were you i would look into getting either a metal halide or a T5 setup or both combined. they are alittle more expensive but trust me you will be happier about the desicion down the line. i know me and abunch of people i know woulda been.

if this is truley all you can afford to get then by all means do what you need to do, but this hobby is about patience.

[rickh]

If you already have the light try it, it should be fine for anything but SPS. Even Monipora caps will be fine up high, the tank is only 17" deep. Put in sand, rock and mount the light on the tank, don't try to hang it. I have done it.RRRRRRRRRRRR

[stanlalee]

you can easily keep everything but SPS with that lighting. been there, done that on my 30g (36Lx12Wx17H). same exact demensions just 3" narrower front to back. pics and tank are from years ago, never mind the old school equipment (worked fine though)

http://dubfidub.homestead.com/files/tankapril06leftsidetank2.jpg

http://dubfidub.homestead.com/files/tankaquascaped4.jpg