Lighting for a 12 inch deep SPS frag tank

[H@rry]

I have a 48 x 18 frag tank that is 12 inches deep. For lighting I have 2 175W 10K MH and 2 ATI Blue + T5s. I'm having a lot of trouble keeping the corals colored up without them fading into pastel colors. Currently I have the MHs on 4 hrs/day and the T5s on 12 hrs/day. The colors just don't pop like in the display tanks.

What are others doing for a photoperiod with a similar setup?

 

[Elan]

i am am doing a 12'' sps frag tank too. Going 4 bulb t5 (24x18x12) looking for good bulb combo

 

[ReeferRob]

Pretty much asked the same question yesterday or the day before. So Im tagging along to see if it gets a response?

 

[cveverly]

H@rry, is your frag tank plumbed into your display? I was wondering if the water parameters/nutrient levels are the same in both tanks.

 

[H@rry]

No, it is not plumbed to any of the displays. I don't have a skimmer or calcium reactor on the frag tank. I use Randy's two part mixture for alk. I have wondered about that myself and I don't think it is caused by the water parms. I do 15 gallon water changes weekly on the displays and use the old water from the displays to do the water change on the frag tank.

This tank has been up since Feb 25. Initially I just had the two 175W mh on for 8 hours. The frags browned out. I then increased the time to 12 hours. Then they got real pale, not really bleached out - dieing, but just lost their color. Then I put the two T5 ATI Blue+ on for 12 hrs and cut the MHs back to 8 hrs. Then all the pretty blues turned a baby blue pastel. Somebody at a recent swap suggested to cut the MHs back to 4 hrs. That's where I am now. It's been that way for about 3 weeks. It's not getting any worse, maybe some better.

I really think that my whole problem is getting the photo period right for such a shallow tank. Right now I'm thinking that 12 hrs with the T5s might be too much.

There's got to be somebody out there running a 12 inch deep SPS frag tank. I just want to know what a good photo period is for the T5 actinics and the MHs.

 

[chk4tix]

I have been wondering the same thing. My frag tank is 60"Lx24"Wx12"H and I run 2 -150w mh's. (my tank is plumbed into my 120g display so water parameters are the same) I have played with my photo period ranging from 4-12 hours and cant seem to get the corals to really color up. I have the same corals in my display tank and the look great but in the frag tank they just are mostly "brown" sticks

 

[plainrt]

I have a 12inch tall 30 breeder with 4x39 tek over it.The few sps i have does well for no sump or skimmer.......Pics of tank to show colors.Bulb combo makes all colors pop like crazy and has a great par average.

1 x 39W 6500K Daylight T5 HO Fluorescent by General Electric
1 x 39W 12000K Aquablue Special T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 x 39W Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI
1 x 39W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UV Lighting

 

[H@rry]

I have been wondering the same thing. My frag tank is 60"Lx24"Wx12"H and I run 2 -150w mh's. (my tank is plumbed into my 120g display so water parameters are the same) I have played with my photo period ranging from 4-12 hours and cant seem to get the corals to really color up. I have the same corals in my display tank and the look great but in the frag tank they just are mostly "brown" sticks

What temp are your bulbs? You probably need some blue with the MHs.