sps & PC lighting

[kennyman]

A couple of months ago I got a sps to try in my tank despite having Power compact lighting. Ray gave me a good deal on a little montiporia frag he had laying around and thought it might do OK. Since then I have researched this species a bit using sites like GARF, Wet Web and  Reefs.org. I have learned that the lux value for allot of montiporia in their natural environment is more like that associated with PC or T-5 setups. Specimens collected in the wild need to be slowly acclimated to MH lighting or they will burn up and die. Since I got this frag I have upgraded to a 130w pc lunar light system from Coralife and it has enhanced the growth and health of this coral. I estimate I have apx 2500 lumens over a 20"x18" footprint using the output ratings from the manufacturer of Coralife units. 

I am not advocating growing all kind of sps under PC or denying that MH is required for many lps and sps corals to thrive. But I do believe that this type of sps coral can do just fine under decent pc or T-5 units. It has gained at least 40% in size in the past two months and is improving every day.

Here it is thismorning under actinic before the 10k bulb came on.

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[Julie]

Looks nice and healthy.