Beginner coral keeper, lol :D

shrub125

shrub125

Member
On my 35g i have very basic lighting (just a 30w bulb i think), but on my liverock i found a tiny button polyp that began growing and it has inspired me to upgrade my lighting and get into coral!
I would like to spend about $300 on a new lighting unit, but i really want an expert opinion on what lighting would be best. I want to start with beginer corals (such as zoanthids and mushrooms corals) but i will also probably want to more difficult corals as i get more experience keeping corals.
I dont think i can go with MH lighting because i think it might be too much money, and i hear the bulbs are really expenive to replace. I was thinking a T-5 high output 156w unit. could anyone tell me what kinds of coral i will be able to keep with that lighting?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Shrub125
http:///forum/post/3297937
On my 35g i have very basic lighting (just a 30w bulb i think), but on my liverock i found a tiny button polyp that began growing and it has inspired me to upgrade my lighting and get into coral!
I would like to spend about $300 on a new lighting unit, but i really want an expert opinion on what lighting would be best. I want to start with beginer corals (such as zoanthids and mushrooms corals) but i will also probably want to more difficult corals as i get more experience keeping corals.
I dont think i can go with MH lighting because i think it might be too much money, and i hear the bulbs are really expenive to replace. I was thinking a T-5 high output 156w unit. could anyone tell me what kinds of coral i will be able to keep with that lighting?

If you are willing to invest in often small water changes, do some spot feedings and add some power heads for really good flow. You can go for non-photosynthetic coral. Their colors are drop dead gorgeous. The corals are no harder to keep than the light hungry ones.
 
shrub125

shrub125

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3297943

If you are willing to invest in often small water changes, do some spot feedings and add some power heads for really good flow. You can go for non-photosynthetic coral. Their colors are drop dead gorgeous. The corals are no harder to keep than the light hungry ones.

I have researched them and i really like a lot of the sun corals! The only thing thats really stopping me from getting one is that i dont know where to get them! I know i could probably buy them on the internet, but to be honest i've never done that haha
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Would rather see you get something like the 36 inch 6x39W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture, bulbs are not included so you have the choice of the bulbs and configuration you want. This system with the right bulb combinations would allow you to keep anything including SPS coral and clams in your tank.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Shrub125
http:///forum/post/3297946
I have researched them and i really like a lot of the sun corals! The only thing thats really stopping me from getting one is that i dont know where to get them! I know i could probably buy them on the internet, but to be honest i've never done that haha

I buy online all the time, you get the critter the next day...SWF has some nice ones and some other sites I'm not allowed to tell you about has a really great selection. Just Google corals and shop around. LOL..Spend your $300.00 on corals not lights.
I broke myself to buy fancy lights, now I can't have those except hidden in my cave..Live and learn.
If you do decide to get the nice lights, make some large overhangs or a cave, that way you can have a good variety. Make sure some light gets to the cave or you won't be able to see your corals in there. I also have a small power head directed in there.
 
shrub125

shrub125

Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3297947
Would rather see you get something like the 36 inch 6x39W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent Lighting Fixture, bulbs are not included so you have the choice of the bulbs and configuration you want. This system with the right bulb combinations would allow you to keep anything including SPS coral and clams in your tank.
Seems like a pretty good deal for the system, but how much would the bulbs run me, and i'd really like to do clams and SPS when i get more advanced, so i'm thinking a 234w system would be more worthwhile in the long run. Also, what about Current USA Nova Extreme Pro 36" 6x39w T5 bulbs included for $369?
 
shrub125

shrub125

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3297948

I buy online all the time, you get the critter the next day...SWF has some nice ones and some other sites I'm not allowed to tell you about has a really great selection. Just Google corals and shop around. LOL..Spend your $300.00 on corals not lights.
I broke myself to buy fancy lights, now I can't have those except hidden in my cave..Live and learn.
If you do decide to get the nice lights, make some large overhangs or a cave, that way you can have a good variety. Make sure some light gets to the cave or you won't be able to see your corals in there. I also have a small power head directed in there.

I'm thinking about doing an all sun coral tank with a 10g, do you think that would be too small? I would like to try an orange cup coral
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Shrub125
http:///forum/post/3297955
I'm thinking about doing an all sun coral tank with a 10g, do you think that would be too small? I would like to try an orange cup coral

The 10g isn't too small, but remember the smaller the tank the harder it is to keep alive. Why just sun coral? Chili coral is bright red with tiny white or sometimes orange stars for polyps. Sea fans come in reds, purples and yellows..Then the carnations..red and orange variations. any kind of mushroom could be in there as well. Just to name a few. Then you have gorgonians, Purple corky fingers and sun corals also come in black.
 
shrub125

shrub125

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3297957

The 10g isn't too small, but remember the smaller the tank the harder it is to keep alive. Why just sun coral? Chili coral is bright red with tiny white or sometimes orange stars for polyps. Sea fans come in reds, purples and yellows..Then the carnations..red and orange variations. any kind of mushroom could be in there as well. Just to name a few. Then you have gorgonians, Purple corky fingers and sun corals also come in black.
Oh the variety! I will have lots of time to decide as i wait for a suitable tank to cross my path. but thanks for reminding me of the beauty of non-photosynthetic corals! :) OH and btw, what are some foods i could use?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Shrub125
http:///forum/post/3297959
Oh the variety! I will have lots of time to decide as i wait for a suitable tank to cross my path. but thanks for reminding me of the beauty of non-photosynthetic corals! :) OH and btw, what are some foods i could use?

Any kind really, I use Kents microvert and sometimes zooplex, phytoplex any kind of coral food...that wild toe stuff sounds pretty good.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Yes it is a hanging light. bulbs should run about 20-30 dollars each depending on the type, brand etc.
Careful with the non-photosynthetics as most require some special care, filtration, feeding etc. Do your homework.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3297963
Yes it is a hanging light. bulbs should run about 20-30 dollars each depending on the type, brand etc.
Careful with the non-photosynthetics as most require some special care, filtration, feeding etc. Do your homework.

+1 Very good point...That is why I have a power head in a cave. Sun coral must be spot fed, always do your homework on any coral.
On hanging lights, I put mine on a pulley system so I don't have t mess with it, just lower it or raise it as needed. Really makes water changes a breeze.
 
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