How many watts per gallon ?

MeadowSky · 05-12-2008, 08:24 PM

I have a 55 gallon tank with about 72# of live rock and 90# of live sand. I am guessing that I have about 35 gallons of actual water in my tank. (not sure if that counts)
So I want to keep corals. I currently have 4.75 watts per gallon. What is recommended for a reef?
Thanks

chadf · 05-12-2008, 08:43 PM

IMO you can keep any softies and probably pretty much any lps. I wouldn't get into sps though.

unclejed · 05-13-2008, 02:49 PM

You are fine.

MeadowSky · 05-13-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejed

You are fine.

Thanks you are kindof cute yourself LOL

all kidding aside

, the lights are power compacts and I just worry about not having enough light to keep the corals I would like. Some day I would like to keep sps corals but not a requirement now.

Nereaga · 05-13-2008, 05:59 PM

I agree with Chad and Jed.

I would say that softies and some LPS are a go. I would NOT venture into SPS or anenomes with just power compacts, IMO. I lost an anenome due to inadaquate lighting from PC's..I had a 4x65w fixture.

HTH, Brad

unclejed · 05-13-2008, 06:28 PM

I have a 55 gal. also. I have a power compaq. 2x55 watt daylight/actinic and a T-5 10,000k daylight/actinic. It is plenty take my word for it. Here is a pic of my tank.

MeadowSky · 05-13-2008, 07:31 PM

Humm, I do have a LTA I guess I will need to keep a close eye on him. I have had him for about 3 weeks and he seems to be doing fine but it would be terrible to loose him from a lighting issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nereaga

I agree with Chad and Jed.

I would say that softies and some LPS are a go. I would NOT venture into SPS or anenomes with just power compacts, IMO. I lost an anenome due to inadaquate lighting from PC's..I had a 4x65w fixture.

HTH, Brad

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejed

I have a 55 gal. also. I have a power compaq. 2x55 watt daylight/actinic and a T-5 10,000k daylight/actinic. It is plenty take my word for it. Here is a pic of my tank.

This is fabulous! What is your stocking list? I wish I would get some coraline growth although I guess I should just give it time. My tank has only been up for 2 1/2 months.