96watt pc enough for my 50breeder?

[Osse]

Hi Anthony,

Do you think a 96watt 10K pc bulb over a 50breeder 36x18x18 would be adequate lighting for a sarcophyton,xenia,lobophyllia stony,caulastrea,and a capnella?
I am deciding on whether or not I need to get the 2x 96 bulb strip light or if I would be ok with just one 10K. Aren't the actinics just for show? Do they actually provide useful light?

I don't care about crazy fast growth but I also want my corals to be happy.

Thanks!

best,
Jared

 

[Anthony Calfo]

cheers, Jared

I'm not a fan of excessive light at all... but a single 96 watt light is not even close to being enough for even moderate zooxanthellate coral needs. The lower end of moderate would be about 5 watts per gallon of high par light.

I really think you need the extra fixture here at bare minimum and even then need to keep your corals in the top 10" of the water surface.

Also... be sure those PCs are mounted no higher than 3" off the water surface. Else just unplug them (a light meter will show you why... huge drop in intensity)

 

[Osse]

Thanks Anthony!