Adequate light intensity for Acropora Tortusa

[Timothy Tom]

Expecting a frag of Acropora Tortusa; a beautiful deep blue color.
The frag has been grown under 400 Watt Ushios (don't know the color).
I was planning to place this frag directly below a 250 Watt HQI 10K
mini-pendant. There is about 10" of water, between the frag and the
surface of the water. The light bulb itself sits about 7" from the
top of the water surface (yes there is a UV shield on the
mini-pendant). Wondering if those experienced with SPS believe that
this should be adequate intensity for a high-light-requiring coral.
If need be, I can add some more rock to get the coral frag up higher
to the surface.

[Acrylics]

Good for you :) I keep a couple of them - some of the most gorgeous corals in
my tank. I keep mine about 4" from the surface directly below a 250w HQI
10,000k which is about 6" above the surface. If you go too low, it will start
to lose its deep blue color and go pale but will come back with proper
placement but this takes a coupla months.
Also, as I'm sure you know - this is an extremely slow grower under any
conditions and very sensitive to heat. Do not allow the tank to get over 84 or
so as 86 is deadly for this coral IME.
Also, mount them sideways for better and more interesting growth. If mounted
straight up, they will just grow straight up.

If I were in your position, I'd be ready to keep it up high in in good flow.

HTH,
James

[alexmaark]

I was planning to abode this frag anon beneath a 250 Watt HQI 10K mini-pendant. There is about 10" of water, amid the frag and the surface of the water. The ablaze ball itself sits about 7" from the top of the baptize surface