too much light on my 30 cube?

[Anteverius]

I am currently running a 175W SE halide on my 30 cube (roughly 20x20x20). I have two 32W PC's that I am considering adding to come on before and stay on after my halide. So far, all of my corals (mostly softies) are up on the rocks, but I want to add some rics/acans down near the bottom and possibly a SPS or two. Will the 175 be enough for corals near the bottom? Would adding the PC's be overkill? Thanks in advance.

Here is a pic for reference.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/Anteverius/FTS1-25-10.jpg

[Anteverius]

anyone?

[NaH2Ofreak]

No, I dont think it would be overkill at all. As long as you can maintain your temp, pour on the light!

Dennis

PS: Tank looks really good.

[epicfish]

That's what I used over my 30g cube without ill effects other than evaporation.

[Anteverius]

any more opinions? Does a 175W penetrate deep enough (~20") to grow softies/acans down there? Bulb is 10" off of the water.

[Fig]

What bulb are you using? I run a 250 SE over my 30 cube. But a 175 is plenty for softies/acans. You could even do some sps with it. PC's won't be overkill. The Iwaskai 175 watt SE 15k bulb has more par than most 250 watt SE and is a nice crisp white. You could put any coral you want in there with that bulb.

[Anteverius]

Thanks, Fig. This is the response I have been looking for. My bulb is nothing fancy at the moment. It is a CoralVue 14k. Definitely not the best, but I set up the tank during my last semester of college, so my budget was small. I will look into upgrading to the Iwasaki when I replace the bulb.

[Anteverius]

Ok, hate to keep dragging this along but....Is there a bulb with relatively comparable PAR to the Iwasaki, but more of a bluish hue? I like the "pop" the blue adds to my corals. Looking at Sanjay's tests it seems that the bluer the bulb, the lower the PAR. Am I correct with this assumption? Anyone have the results for my cheapo CoralVue bulb?

[stanlalee]

any more opinions? Does a 175W penetrate deep enough (~20") to grow softies/acans down there? Bulb is 10" off of the water.

Easily. this is the center of a 6ft tank with only two 175w AB bulbs (I kept the lessor demanding stuff in the center where their was no bulb although I had no center brace so there was some crossing between the two). tank was 20" tall. as you can see there's a deresa clam, and if you look closely to the far right digitata and purple cap montipora frag on a back rock. these all grew easily down here.. I could shade the softies and lps and still get good growth. granted the AB probably puts out twice what a 20k 175w does but I still think you'll be fine as I had PAR to spare for typical bottom corals. I had sunlight supply reef optic batwings, nothing fancy.
http://dubfidub.homestead.com/sept5centershot.jpg

[Anteverius]

Is that a pic of a AB 10k? Anyone with pictures of their tanks lit with the Iwasaki 14k?

[stanlalee]

thats the AB 13k (I guess it use to be called a 10k or still AB 10000) with no supplementation. Iwasaki 15k is a little whiter. I got the AB because on the ballast I had (recommended magnetic pulse start) they put out the same output (vs electronic where the EYE bulb puts out more output). It was also available locally. the Iwasaki is a little stronger and better looking but the AB is not too shabby either for PAR. I never considered it yellow but some people do. Just all white to me.

here are a few more shots with no supplementation. pretty neutral white to me
http://dubfidub.homestead.com/julyfithteenthfullview1.jpg

http://dubfidub.homestead.com/April13thfishpic5.jpg

[Fig]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/new-bulb-iwasaki-175w-15k-99270.html