Lights and coral

[michaelf1478]

i was wondering if i have enough light to start putting coral in the tank and what types i can have. i have a 210gal 2 175watt metal haileds (2 14000k bulbs) 2 50/50 96watt cf. My haileds are about 2feet of the water and the cf are about 4 inchs off the water.

 

[ericmcj31]

it depends on what you wanna keep in there; for softies, yes, that's fine; for most SPS I'd say get something bigger--FYI i've got over my 135 2X250 MH and 1 400 MH also 4X96 PC actinics. My bulbs are also the 14K's. I think I may be a little over lighted, but SPS's seem to love it! you could also be able to keep clams, just towards the top of the tank

 

[michaelf1478]

im wanting to start with softies and maybe later add more lights and try sps.

 

[michaelf1478]

the canopy is high and that where they had the haileds at when i got them.
im gonna order a reflector off of aquabuys.com in the next week or so for them.

 

[michaelf1478]

can i put softies anywhere or do they have to be toward the top also

 

[michaelf1478]

my halieds ar in the center beside each other i was wanting to put one on the left and one on the right whould this be a good idea. if so i'll just do that when i lower them.

 

[michaelf1478]

i think i understan what your saying i got myself a weekend project now

 

[michaelf1478]

how far off the water should i put the halieds

 

[michaelf1478]

just a round cone deal is what i was gonna get

 

[drnecropolis]

dawgdude;285688 wrote: Hmmm well I would say start with 6-8 inches and go from there.

Thats what she said..

 

[michaelf1478]

cool i'll start working on that 2morrow.:up:

 

[michaelf1478]

ok by the end of the night the lights will be lowered what is the fist piece of coral i should put in?

 

[michaelf1478]

clowns,mandiran, sf eel 2 dwarf angels (probably getting rid of them) hippo tang unicorn tang. I want to start with softies.

 

[michaelf1478]

im gonna get 4x96 watt pc 6 65watt pc for a good deal from a fellow reefer to add on to what i already have which will give me over 1300 watts total will that help much?

 

[michaelf1478]

so whati really need to do is upgrade the hailed ballest?

 

[michaelf1478]

i believe that i will only stick to softies for awhile and see how that goes like you said. I guess im gonna have to get with you on what supplements to use for the corals. Thank for all your help with everything. everytime i ask a question on here your on it helping me out. When i get my coral tank up and running i'll put some free frags to theside for you.:up:

 

[michaelf1478]

i'll do it and im getting a rodi unit 2morrow so i'll be useing ro water

 

[michaelf1478]

chould i keep zoos?

 

[michaelf1478]

How long should i keep the lights on when i get some coral in?