Question about corals and my lighting.

[Kevin McG]

Are there any type of corals that will live under my lighting? I have a 18w zoo med coral reef bulb. I was only planning a FOWLR but seeing all the buetiful pictures of some of the tanks you guys have has made me rethink.

I was told on another forum that there are certian types of mushroom and leather corals that will be quite happy with my current lighting. I wanted to come here and ask the pros 1st

 

[wrassefan]

FWIW, I highly doubt 18w would support much coral life since the depth of a 29g is fairly high...just asking for die off. I guess you could try some mushrooms at the top center of your tank (if your rock structures are at least 3/4 of the way up your tank) under the lights. IMO, I wouldn't bother...just looking to kill corals. I would retro some PCs or just replace the light. Plenty of used lighting out there and you will have much better results.

 

[dz6t]

The Reefsun bulb are not suitable for any coral including mushroom. Get a 65w PC or even better, a 2x55w PC for that tank.

 

[Moe_K]

I had pieces of mushroom get sucked up by my HOT Magnum and then start growing inside the cannister in the dark. Same w/ zoanthids.
So I think you could do shrooms or button polyps.

But the thing is, you're gonna want to start keeping stuff that requires more light.
Look into power compacts - they're not too expensive and with them you can keep a wide array of corals.

 

[dz6t]

Thanks Moe. You are the master. I just deleted my plan to get a 70 w MH for my 18 gallon cube.

 

[Moe_K]

Oh, I'm no master. There are plenty o' people here with more experience and know-how than me. They just don't post as much.

 

[dad300]

I have 130 watts of PC over my 29 gal. I have Xenia, clove polyps, Green tree, finger leather, a couple Zoas and shrooms, and A pocillapra damicornis.

 

[newreefer03]

I predict that within a year you will have upgraded your tank and wished you had just went ahead a bought a MH setup. It happened to me and I keep hearing it all the time.

 

[nitrofish]

not to hijack this thread, but im planning to start a second tank and I was thinking of making it a fowlr with standard lighting. what do you think I could keep under standard lights ? maybe a feather duster?

 

[Swim74]

I am not regretting using power compact lighting vs. Metal Halide.

I cannot keep some of the more exotic corals, clams, etc., but there is plenty I CAN keep, with less worries of water splashing on bulbs, and super hot ballasts, and expensive bulbs

I dont know a whole lot about this hobby, but I think if you get a PC light, and get used to that for a while and the types of corals you can keep, you can always upgrade. Plus they are good extra lights to have around for a sump/fuge some day, or a spare tank someplace if you go MH.

If I had my own place, and more time, and more money, I would have the metal halide lighting as they are more versatile.

But you can never go wrong by taking your time and going slow in this hobby.