Difference in corals???

b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
O.K. i was hoping their was a sticky here but i don't see one??

Can someone explain all the types of coral to me?SPS?LPS?Softee?
I want some corals but right now all i have a regular fluorescent lights.My tank is roughly 18in deep.I want to have some coral but light upgrades won't be doable for about 1 month or so.I know i could put 1 or 2 high up on the rocks.
I was also thinking of getting maybe a sun polyp or some gorgonians.I know the sun polyp would have to be shaded when i upgrade lights.What about the gorgonian?Or any other low light/no light corals.Would strong lights kill them?
 
farslayer

farslayer

Active Member
Standard fluorescent = no coral; don't even try, it just won't make it regardless of how close to the bulb. Standard output light is just of no value, the light can't be converted into energy. Your first step is to upgrade. I'd recommend some simple PC lighting for your, T5 if you don't mind paying a bit extra (much better!). Sun corals...hmm, no, I'd say don't do that, they require extra care and aren't typically considered good for beginners. Also, if you can, post your water parameters and other tank stats so that other eyes can view.
Softies are corals which lack a skeletal base, such as zoos, shrooms, xenia, leathers, etc. PC or better lighting, low to moderate flow, no problem.
LPS are large polyp stonies; these are the ones with skeletal bases and long polyps such as frogspawn, hammer, plate, torch, and others. Easy to care for, low to moderate flow, PC or better lighting.
SPS are short polpy stonies; these are the guys that are basically solid skeletons with short polyps. Very colorful, not for a beginner. High intensity lighting (MH or perhaps even T5), heavy flow.
 
b-baby80

b-baby80

Member
Originally Posted by nycbob
wait til u upgrade ur light. why waste money and hv the corals die?
I'm going to but this post was more to just distinguish the differences thanks.
 
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