12 inch cube lighting

[Patio]

70W 20K MH and 26W ACT03 is that enough light over the 12 inch cube?
How high off the water should I hang it?

Thanks
Patrick

[mntl]

I have a 20/20/12"deep cube (same depth, just a little wider). I use a 175w with pretty high par in a uminarc reflecter, I think for some acros you will need more light. Not necessarily when they are frags, but when they get to decent sized colonies they will have a lot of shaded areas ime.

[jjackson]

define a decent size colony in a 12" cube.... none the less I think if you maintain good water quality you will be able to keep most everything happy.

[mntl]

A 3-5" small colony. There really is not much light coming from a 70w MH especially with a 20k bulb. Many people grow out their acros to a point where they are within 6-8" of the water surface, sometimes only a couple of inches. If someone has a 100gal tank with an acro 5" from the surface and a 10gal tank with an acro 5" from the surface and you hang a 150w bulb above both, they are both getting the same light (assuming the bulbs are the same distance from the surface). I have been keeping 12" deep tanks for a few years now with acros and even with a 175 that has the par of many 250's, there are still some acros that cannot be kept on the bottom of the tank (water quality is excellent). I am not saying the acros will all die, it is just that the growth rate will be dismall and color will suffer over time, possibly leading to necrosis at the base as the coral grows out. Judge growth and health over years not just a few months. A 150 would cost basically the same as a 70w and will be much better suited for the coral the original poster is attempting to keep.

[jjackson]

good point... I agree that a 150 is a good size for his tank but I missed the whole 20k think... pretty much pointless.... I agree with mntl if you can go 150w if not try to get a diff temperature bulb I am not sure what all is available for 70W

[Patio]

all the temp are available. what temp do you suggest for the 70w bulb

[Patio]

ushio 10k
ushio 14k
which one?

[Patio]

I am thinking about this one as well. Do you have any input?
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=am_70w_13k_bulb&Category_Code=z93a&Product_Count=1

[Milleme]

I would think a 70 watt 10k with your supplemtal lighting would get you by. Do you already have the 70 watt MH? Cause if not I would go ahead and do the 150 with like a 20k or 14k bulb. Just my opinion though.

[Patio]

yeah i already have the 70 laying around