Different types of corals

[liongirl]

I was told that the kind of lighting that i need will depend on the type of corals that i want to keep.
Are corals divided up into categories, which ones need similar conditions and which ones really cant be kept together because they require different lighting.
I want to decide which type of corals i plan on keeping, but im not sure what i am choosing between.
Thanks.

 

[cosmosbasement]

Hey girl-Well, if you're talking low light corals, stick with Mushrooms and certain types of polyps will be fine using minimal lighting. Although they may not thrive they will survive. Oh speaking of the lighting issue.........I just went and got another set of PCs from my LFS and I replaced my white lights with half white half actinic and the shine and the florescents in my tank are GORGEOUS!!! This goes to show that PCs can produce great florescents. I'm getting my dig camera this week and I'll post some pics. So for all you PC Non-believers..Nahnee Nahnee foo foo.....just kidding guys.
peace
doug

 

[slowest is fastest]

Through planning and aquascaping a variety of corals that require different lighting can be kept in the same tank. For example you could use the rock work to create a high ledge to get corals as close to the light as possible and build overhangs or caves to shield the light or provide indirect lighting for others. The trick is to figure out what you want to keep as far in advance as possible and make sure the lighting you are using will support them. Then just place the coral accordingly in the tank.
Generally lower light requirements - Polyps and mushrooms
Generally low to moderate light - Soft corals
Generally moderate to high light - LPS
Generally high to intense light - SPS,Clams
There are many exceptions to all the above some species in each requiring more light or able to thrive with less. There is no exact science to it. The best thing you can do is ask people who are currently keeping the coral you are considering adding whether or not your lighting will support it. Good Luck
SiF

 

[flydan]

Hey,
I've been doing the same kind of research that you are and have read several good books on the subject. "Corals", by Tullock, and "Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook", by Dr. Goldstein. I've found there are no firm rules even in a specific family of coral. You can use different types of lighting and it depends where in your aquarium you put the coral. VHO's and Metal Halides penetrate their light deeper into the water, but some corals also benifit from a NO actinic along with the VHO or MH. Another subject you may wish to research is water movement. Some corals are on reef heads with tons of tidal action and others are found in lagoons with very little movement. You might also want to know their eating habits. Are you willing to directly feed the coral or would you prefer a filter feeder or a zooxanthellae which hosts its own algae and feeds off of that? Back to your lighting question, a coral which must be fed "usually" requires less light. There is a lot to learn. Be patient and learn as much as you can. HTH.
Take care,
Dan'l

 

[fishfreek]

Hay, cosmo, exactly what kind of lights did you just add to your tank? I am in the middle of deciding what kind of pcs to go with.