Do I have Enough Lighting?

[mikexnxike01]

Hello everyone my name is Mike. I'm sure this has been covered in a past post, but I had a question about my tank lighting. I currently have a Current dual PC light fixture with 2 40W bulbs (1 10000K and 1 actinic). My tank is about 15 gallons with a depth of 18" from the light fixture to the sand. I have just added some soft corals which include frogspawn, xenia, torch, toadstool, kenya tree, candy cane, and some mushrooms. Since I dont have a PAR meter, do you experts think that I have sufficient lighting for these corals? This hobby is getting addicting!! Thank you for your help!

Mike

 

[BeanMachine]

You might be ok with those corals and that lighting since the tank isn't very big. The corals you chose don't mind lower light. You'll get much better color and growth if you switch those out for say some T5s.

 

[lovingacans]

The corals may survive but they probably won't thrive with the pc's..

 

[cymaster007]

Look into getting a T-5 fixture or small halide to help the coral flourish!
Used fixtures are cheap these days.

 

[El Dude]

PCs are technology of the 90's. They don't produce enough PAR to justify the heat they produce. Cruise the dry goods sale threads for a 4 bulb T5 fixture for your tank. I had a 15g SPS tank all through college with a sunlight supply 4 bulb T5 fixture. I could grow anything I threw in there like a weed!

 

[mikexnxike01]

Thanks so much guys. Definitely sounds like I should go t5. Anyone have 1 for sale?