frogspawn and other LPS tragedies

[jasonsloane]

Hey, I've never done this before, but I thought maybe someone out there might know the answer to my problem. I have a 29 gallon biocube stocked with lots of live rock and sand. There are two 18 watt power compacts, one acitinic and one 10000k. The tank has been running for two years now, and the fish and soft corals are doing great. I have a candy cane and a small bubble that are also doing well. My problem is I badly want to keep frogspawn coral, but every time I buy a piece it seems to do well until the head seperates from the skeleton and drifts off, and then dies. My levels are all within normal ranges, the salinity is at 1.024, and the temp never goes above 79 or below 78. I have asked pet store owners but around upstate ny they are clueless. Any ideas? thanks

 

[perfectdark]

Well if it is what you say you dont have enough ligthing. Total of 36 watts isnt enough for a frogspawn, hammer or torch IMO. But I am confused is this the stock BioCube lighting for a 29 gal tank? If so your bulbs are wrong or you misinturpreted something wrong. The 29 biocube lights are 2-36 watt PC's one 10k Daylight and the other 50/50 actinic, totaling 72 watts.

 

[jasonsloane]

Hey, sorry about the confusion. Your right about the lights, I have two thirty six watt bulbs. I was thinking of my old 12 gallon nano. This still probably isn't enough lighting? Thanks

 

[perfectdark]

Nope you should be ok if the lights are what you say.. I have the same set up. Frogspawn should do ok in your tank you might have to put it up high on your LR. However 2 years you say? When was the last time you changed your bulbs out? After about 9 months they lose 40% of their intensity. If you havent changed them for 2 years I doubt you have enough intensity for shrooms.