Cycling and Lighting question for a 46 gallon bow reef

[gooliver]

Hi,

I got a 46 gallon bow aquarium with crushed coral and live rock, 2 damsels, and some scarlet hermit crabs. It's been 16 days since i first set up the aquarium and the water test comes out PERFECT...is it possible that my tank cycled in 16 days?

My second question.....I want to have corals at some point..so i was looking to buy a compact flaurecent fixture with a 10k bulb and an acitinic totaling 192 watts. (called aqualight by coralife - 36") According to what I have read that's plenty...but i read some of the messages on this site and it looks like 192 watts for a 46 gallon bowfront will limit me to certain corals or limit the colorations....


i'm confused...please help.
thanks

PS. Dimensions of tank - 36x16x21

[viowyn]

Maybe not cycled yet...It is probably just the live rock and hermits that are helping your chemistry.

The more light the better. I once heard a general rule of 3-5watts a gallon. However now I see that people have about 7-12 watts a gallon. My tank personally has 11 watts a gallon

[tendar]

The basic cycle can be over but give it another week or 2 to settle in a little more before adding more stuff.
the lighting your are talking about will be good for your sized tank. THe only real limits you will have will be in keeping sps corals and clams which is for more experienced hobbiest which you will be in time. YOu will be able to keep just about anything else you want though with your lighting your looking at.
I am actually puting pretty much the same lighting setup on a 75 gall tank that will be just for softies mostly but can keep most others with the lighting on this tank as well.

[gooliver]

great...thanks for the feedback.