okay im an idiot!
- Thread starter reefsmart
- Start date
Watts per gallon is not a good rule. Honestly, to properly house acropora you are looking at 150 watt metal halide or more. The 70 watters just dont have enough output and PC's won't cut it either. T5HO's work but they are too long for a 10g tank.
Dont forget about the high calcium demand, the importance of maintaining constant alkalinity, calcium, temp, and pH levels.... all of which are tough to do in a 10g tank. Also, flow is critical with SPS, especially acropora. You will want about 600 gph or more in a 10g tank.
I would not suggest that anyone try to create an SPS-dominated 10g tank. It is just not forgiving enough due to the lack of water volume. You will either need a calcium reactor or you will be doing daily Ca+ dosing and you will need to monitor the Alk and Ca+ very regulary. Please research, research, research this decision before you get into it.
Jesse
Dont forget about the high calcium demand, the importance of maintaining constant alkalinity, calcium, temp, and pH levels.... all of which are tough to do in a 10g tank. Also, flow is critical with SPS, especially acropora. You will want about 600 gph or more in a 10g tank.
I would not suggest that anyone try to create an SPS-dominated 10g tank. It is just not forgiving enough due to the lack of water volume. You will either need a calcium reactor or you will be doing daily Ca+ dosing and you will need to monitor the Alk and Ca+ very regulary. Please research, research, research this decision before you get into it.
Jesse
TimSchmidt
New Member
If you do this, then a CA reactor or at a minimum Kalk infused top off is a must IMO. SCWD for random water movement. LED lighting is nice too, but VERY expensive right now. Look for PAR instead of watts per gallon.
I agree that watts per gallon is a poor rule of thumb, but I do not agree that you need a 150 w MH. Color temp is important. enough light is important. Metal halide is the closest to full spectrum readily available. However, its a spotlight. Putting lights that intense over such a small tank, is asking for temp and evap problems. I have a 150 MH I bought for a ten, and it grew things well, but was a pain due to top off, and rapid temp fluctuations. I am a firm believer in compact fluorescent/T5HO. I have always had success with them, even with sps/clams. the lighting runs MUCH cooler. My MH is sitting in the closet, waiting for a 30 cube.