96 watts what will it support?

[juliafish]

Hi,
I am looking for a light for my 30 gallon aquarium which is 36" long with the front corners are flat. I found a 96watt 36" 50/50 power compact light that is in my price range. Right now I have nothing and I am cycling the tank. Later I just want to add maybe a few of the easiest corals to grow like mushrooms and maybe an anenome. I read that you need two to five watts per gallon for a reef tank and this would be three per gallon. I was just wondering what life I could support with this light?
Thanks,
Julia

 

[bigarn]

Mushrooms, leathers and zoos would be good corals to start with. That lighting should be fine for them. I wouldn't consider an anemone until the tank has matured (at least 6 months) and the lighting is upgraded for them.

 

[ophiura]

I wouldn't do an anemone, personally, but with that lighting on a 45g I have some LPS and softies as well. I wouldn't say they have the growth rate of those under stronger lighting, but they are still growing.

 

[bigarn]

I agree other corals can be kept successfully with that lighting ..... I was just pointing out some of the easier ones to start with.

 

[jessecnc]

Julia,
I'd go with a dual PC setup for your tank...10K & Actinic. Even with the smaller 65W PCs you'll have more light and be able to have a better overall light cycle for your tank (OFF, Act, Act & 10K, Act, OFF). I have a dual 65W PC light on my 29gal. and my leather and colt are growing like crazy. I've had the leather for a week now, and it's grown at least 1/2".

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by bigarn

I agree other corals can be kept successfully with that lighting ..... I was just pointing out some of the easier ones to start with.

Oh yeah, definitely agree on that. Mushrooms and zoas are a great place to start, totally agree

 

[speg]

You could certainly get yourself a anemone that doesnt require a lot of light to thrive. Rock anemone would do fine with that light.
How deep is that tank?

 

[juliafish]

Thank you for all of the replies. The tank depth is 15 inches. The soft corals like mushrooms and leathers are all I really ever want to keep. If I change my mind later I can always add on to my lighting. I did not realize that anenomes required so much light but that is okay because I just want to stick to the easy stuff. I had an 80 gallon tank before this one and I had a curlique anenome which was easy but at that time I had a metal halide light. This anenome was awesome and he filled about half my tank. I really liked him but I had to move so I sold the whole set up. This time I just want to take my time, plan everything out, and stick with the easier to take care of corals. I will look into the dual light. It hadn't crossed my mind about being able to control the actinic separately from the the 10k light. Also the light comes with a lunar light strip that can be controlled separately. Does this type of lighting benefit at all or does it just look cool?