corals and lighting

[idgy]

At the moment all I have is the lighting equipment that came with the tank setup I bought. It just has two florescent bulbs.


Would I be able to change the bulbs to something suitable for low to med light corals and have them be ok.

I am thinking green, yellow polyps and feather dusters. Maybe something else in the low light family.

What kind of lighting should I use?

 

[dnjan]

Feather dusters are filter feeders, and don't need light. But they do need a somewhat established tank to ensure that there is enough "stuff" in the water to feed them.

You might be better off deciding what you want in your tank long-term instead of putting in something now that you may not want later. Some animals can spread easily, and are hard to remove (mushrooms, green star polyps, clauvaria, etc.) Then figure out what lighting you need for those animals. Then save money for that lighting. And (finally) then add corals.

 

[gobie]

Don Is Correct Often Times We Purchase Things When Beginning This Hobby With Out Considering The Long Term Life And Well Being Of The Inhabitants
If You Plan Oh Doing A Reef Take Your Time Get Educated In The Water Chemistry Aspect It Will Save You Much Heartache Such Things Are Easier To Fix As A Live Rock Only Tank Plus It Will Give Your Tank Time To Mature.

 

[wrightme43]

very good advice. If you just absolutley have to have a coral, with normal lights go for whats called a sun polyop coral. NON photosynthetic. You have to feed it by hand at least every other day. They come in orange, red, yellow, and black. I have seen them kept. If your tank is not stable they will not survive. It is better to start with lights then get your corals. HTH Steve

 

[The R/C Man]

Great advice everyone!

I thought the same way at first. I bought a Coralife PC fixture for my tank thinking that low light corals would be satisfying. It was not long after that I was standing in Kevin's shop wishing the lighting in my tank would be enough for the pretty SPS corals... Luckly the setup that was purchased could be taken apart and used to suppliment my MH. Doing it right the first time will save you some money and make the hobby a little more enjoyable.......

 

[Angelscrx]

Man I wish I had this advice back when I first started. But I didn't so I started with one PC 65w and a PC actinic in my 29g. OK for low light softies but not enough for the beautiful corals I saw in the stores, web, and in books. So now on my next tank I am going with MH and PC actinics supplements (seeing I have some already). Good advice everyone.