What lighting do LPS like best?

[thomasdo87]

I am currently setting up a 20ish gallon acrylic tank and have a 20" 150W MH Sunpod but debating if I should switch it out with a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18W T5HO. I've heard many stories of bleached corals, but not sure which route to go. Should I switch to the T5HO or should I stay with MH.

Thank you in advance

 

[SaraB]

I would try what you already have and see if it works for your LPS first before spending more money on a new set-up. Also, choosing a MH bulb in the 14K or 20K spectrum would really look great.

Believe it or not the T5's are really strong! Others can chime in, but I think you can choose bulbs more in the blue spectrum so not to burn the LPS if you decide to go the T5 route.

 

[thomasdo87]

Ahh cool tyvm

 

[cloakerpoked]

Especially in a shallow tank, t-5's will give you similar, or even bigger PAR readings than MH will. As suggested, I'd go with a higher temp bulb like a 20k and see if they like that. You are right, typically, LPS seem to like a little bit lower lighting, although I keep some of my hammers in pretty intense spots, and they are thriving there.

 

[Hypertek99]

I have 250MH over my 29gal LPS tank. Great colors. No bleaching here.

 

[Bio-nut]

First question is what type of LPS will you be keeping? And secondly how much do you feed!

I have about 50 AAA Acan mini colonies in my 15 gallon tank along with about 15 LE chalice. I only run (2) 24 watt T5 in the 460nm spectra and 1 Pure actinic and 1 22k aquascience. I have been able to return many specimen back to the original coloration that they where recieved as by the transhippers in East Austrailia. Alot of coloration and health in LPS can be attributed to diet. And in many cases you can substitute phytosynethisis with increased nutrition.

Do a little research and find out at what depths these corals are coming from and then base your lighting off that. Trust me you will get the best results.

 

[macawmagic]

bio-nut...any pics?

 

[Bio-nut]

Photos taken by a fellow member here in San Diego with very minimal white balancing.

 

[thomasdo87]

I currently have small frags of Tubs Alien Eye, Tyree Red Watermelon, Tyree Alien Pink Watermelon, Bubblegum Monster, Tyree Aspera, Chronic, and others coming soon.

The current tank they're in is a 28g Nanocube on the bottom with 150W 14k Phoenix bulb.

They seem to be fine, but I had a 20" Sunpod that either no one would buy or sales that fell through. Just couldn't get rid of it. Because of the extra light doing nothing, I ordered a Advanced Acrylics tank, 20x16x15 AIO system, to maybe just make it LPS dominated and put my chalices in and maybe start to buy some acans to put in there.

I know they will be both in a 150W MH lighted tank but the AA tank will be shorter than the NC. I ordered a couple 20k Radiums to switch out with the sunpod but not sure how much of difference it will make.

I don't have them under any feeding regiment. Should I start? Read they accept meaty foods and should be hand fed, but not exactly sure what to feed them or how.

thank you for the help

 

[Bio-nut]

This is what I feed and have had good feedback from those here locally that have followed it!

1/8th tsp. Coral frenzy, 3ml DT's premium reef blend live phytoplankton, nickle-size frozen Rotifers, frozen mysis and 2ml brightwell's amino coral. I target feed half to the acans in the midlight cycle and the rest to the chalice at night (as chalice are typically nocternal feeders) once a week.

I suppliment my calcium with settler kalk water in my top off unit and utalize a attached refugium to remove any excess nutrient.

 

[Paul_N]

Bio-nut, AMAZING corals and pics! What is the first chalice?

 

[Bio-nut]

Thank you, I have acquire most of my collection from quite private collectors. the first chalice is Fragfarmers watermelon directly from Eric's now private collection. I got it two years ago as a two eyed frag and I have fragged it twice. The second is the BPC watermelon from blue planet corals.

But back to topic good luck with the lighting issue I hope that I have help you with my experiences. Another good source for lighting with LPS is Junior.