Choosing the right coral??

[Rycko_427]

A buddy of mine gave me his old compact fluorescent light fixture which has new bulbs, I think its 150W. I know that certain corals need to have more powerful metal halide lights such as clams and anemones, but which ones can I grow using this light?? also which corals would be good for a beginner?

 

[thatguy559]

how big is your tank?

 

[Rycko_427]

30 gallons

 

[returnofsid]

I know that certain corals need to have more powerful metal halide lights such as clams and anemones,.....

Your idea of MH is a bit flawed. You do not need "powerful" metal halides to grow clams or anemones.

T5HO with quality reflectors, will grow anything that 250 MH will grow, especially in your sized tank. I've grown clams, SPS (acropora even) and anemone, for 4 years, in a 75, under 6X54 T5HO. I'm now growing all of the above, in a 200 that's 27" deep, under 10X54HO.


You mention compact fluorescent, but also mention 150W. We need to make sure of this, as it's a bit difficult to come up with 150W, with CF lighting. You could have a 2X96W fixture or 2X65W fixture...etc. So, we need to know, more accurately, what lighting you have, before we can give you good advice.

 

[mfinn]

Your idea of MH is a bit flawed. You do not need "powerful" metal halides to grow clams or anemones.
.

yes but some of us prefer the MH look.

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

Just to add to Sid's good comments... I have 2x96W compact fluorescent over my 46g and have some less than fussy SPS in the upper third of the tank, and plenty of LPS. If you place the corals correctly, you don't have to limit yourself to the typical "low light" corals. Just don't think you'll be raising acroporas or clams... but you'll have plenty of choices.

 

[cobyb]

i have some kenya tree frags if you want to give a shot. no charge

 

[mfinn]

A buddy of mine gave me his old compact fluorescent light fixture which has new bulbs, I think its 150W. I know that certain corals need to have more powerful metal halide lights such as clams and anemones, but which ones can I grow using this light?? also which corals would be good for a beginner?

before I let you think I am a complete mh snob, I have used pc lighting on tanks before and I agree they will do fine for many corals.

I think just about any of the soft corals are excellent teaching corals for a beginner.
If you are ever in the Oly area I can help you out with a couple kenya tree, or some button polyps.

 

[returnofsid]

If you want to see what a magnificent softy tank looks like, take Finn up on his offer, if for no other reason than to see his beautiful soft coral tank!

 

[Rycko_427]

Yea that would be awsome! the only problem is that my tank current has Ich:/ and I've read that you dont want to put anything in the tank so that the Ich can go through its 8 week cycle and die..

 

[thatguy559]

ich only affects fish

 

[returnofsid]

While it's true that Ich on infects fish, it can be introduced to your tank on corals, live rock, etc. However, those ways of transmission are pretty slight. During your 8 week fishless cycle, you'd probably be safe adding corals, UNLESS you're also doing a hyposalinity treatment. However, if you want to play it totally safe, Finn will still be around, in 8 weeks!! LOL

 

[mfinn]

However, if you want to play it totally safe, Finn will still be around, in 8 weeks!! LOL

Yep.......

 

[Rycko_427]

Ok cool, well im not doing the hyposalinity treatment cuz I still have some snails and hermit crabs in the tank so I guess I'll try and put in some coral Finn, let me know what days work best for you to meet up. Thanks again guys!

 

[mfinn]

I should ask, how old is the tank?
Kind of skimmer, what other means of filtration, etc.

 

[Rycko_427]

The tank is about a month and a half old, I have an Aqua C Remora Pro protein skimmer with a pump at 350gph and a Aquaclear power filter 50

 

[mfinn]

How long did the cycle last?
How long has it been over?


So, you going to stay with softies?
There are a ton of them.


Sorry about the questions.

 

[Rycko_427]

Haha no worries umm I think the cycle lasted like about 2 weeks, so it's been roughly a month since it's been over. I'm not sure if I'm gunna stay with just softies, most likely tho.

 

[mfinn]

cool.
hey any time you want to come on down is fine.

 

[Rycko_427]

ok cool, I'll send you a pm wen im planning on heading down that way. Might be down there next weekend, not 100% sure yet but I'll let u kno tho...