Wanting to add coral, but not sure about fish

[sptfyre51]

I currently have a dot dash butterfly in my tank. I have been wanting to add coral to my tank for a long time, but have been unable to due to not being able to afford proper lighting. Now, at long last I have sufficient lighting for corals, but have the dot and dash butterfly in my tank and have read in some places absolutely not reef compatible and others saying it will eat polys but hard and soft corals would be fine. Does anyone have any experience with a dot and dash butterfly in a reef? Or know whether or not I can put any type of coral in my tank and not have it be eaten?

 

[flower]

Hi,

Unfortunately, not reef safe, means not reef safe. This is why it's best to plan ahead for what type of SW tank you want The sad thing is that you thought you needed special lighting to keep corals... The truth is that there are corals for whatever type of lighting you have. Had you of known that, you would have purchased reef safe fish from the start, and already had some corals.

If you want a reef, rehome the fish, replace or trade it for a reef safe critter. That way you can purchase your corals without worry.

 

[sptfyre51]

Yeah I guess mostly I was hoping there would be a way a way I could do both as I really like the fish, but have always wanted coral.

What type of coral could I have with basic cheap lights? I know there are non photosynthetic coral but everyone I've seen said expert care level and I'm nowhere near that and I know mushrooms don't need much light, but don't know if they'd be ok With cheap Lights

 

[trigger40]

Yeah I guess mostly I was hoping there would be a way a way I could do both as I really like the fish, but have always wanted coral.

What type of coral could I have with basic cheap lights? I know there are non photosynthetic coral but everyone I've seen said expert care level and I'm nowhere near that and I know mushrooms don't need much light, but don't know if they'd be ok With cheap Lights

i have cheap lights too and im wondering the same thing.

 

[flower]

non-photosynthetic corals just need lots of water movement and food, which leads to extra care for doing water changes. That being said... Red Chili coral, prefers a cave... and Kenya tree and leather coral does not require fancy lights, and would be happy under T5HO.

 

[RobP]

I was finally able to upgrade my T5HO lighting to LED and now I run a 20 gallon for Frags with my T5 lighting and the Torch Coral (it might sting other coral) is doing well and my Duncan in my main tank did great under T5 lighting. Most any Polyps will do good as will Green Star Polyps. Good luck!!