Need equipment advice

turbo_teg98

turbo_teg98

Member
I'm about to look into getting some corals for my tank. I want to make sure that they will do well in my tank. I was told once that I need a protein skimmer to keep corals but I've heard multiple opinions on that. I currently have a 29G tank with well over 30lbs of live rock, a fairly deep sand bed, a GLO t5ho light fixture with a 18,000k and a actinic bulb, and a Koralia 1 powerhead (I'm about to add 1 more). My tank has been setup for about 3 years now. Is there anything else that I need? I don't wanna waste money on corals and have them not last.
Here are some pics of my tank...


 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Could you elaborate on what kind of light fixture you have? Also, could you post your water parameters? Nitrate, phosphate, pH in the morning and evening. You will also need to know your phosphate, calcium and alkalinity readings as well. Once we know a little bit more about your tank and the water conditions, the better I'll be able to help you ease on into corals. For now, however, you could probably get away with some low light corals such as mushrooms, xenia, and zoanthids.
HTH.
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Thats a fine looking tank. Get a few coral in there and you will have a living work of art.
 
turbo_teg98

turbo_teg98

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/388312/need-equipment-advice#post_3423875
Could you elaborate on what kind of light fixture you have? Also, could you post your water parameters? Nitrate, phosphate, pH in the morning and evening. You will also need to know your phosphate, calcium and alkalinity readings as well. Once we know a little bit more about your tank and the water conditions, the better I'll be able to help you ease on into corals. For now, however, you could probably get away with some low light corals such as mushrooms, xenia, and zoanthids.
HTH.
Don't really know what else to say about the light fixture. The brand is GLO, its 24" long, has 2 t5ho bulbs, and it was recommended to me by my LFS. I checked my parameters this morning and my nitrates where up just a little at 5.0, phosphate .25, and I need to get a new pH test kit, calcium stays between 440-480, and alkalinity was at 12. I did a water change and haven't checked since.
 
tangs rule

tangs rule

Active Member
You will need to research what corals you want, but your current lighting will limit you to NPS (non-photo synthetic) and low to moderate light corals. Also phospates will need to be near "0" for a reef tank and 'trates should also be kept very low too. 5ppm on trates would be kinda on the high side for a reef tank.
Also in your 3rd picture - there appears to be a saddled filefish in your tank - and that's really gonna be a problem for many corals - mostly sps would be dined on, though some lps may not be safe either. It's reported by some keepers of this fish that they'll pester your crabs too. If that fish is a saddled puffer - then it's even a less reef safe species than the filefish. If the fish is either species mentioned - one would REALLY need to research coral species least likely to be eaten AND most likely to survive with only a little light.
 
turbo_teg98

turbo_teg98

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangs rule http:///t/388312/need-equipment-advice#post_3423912
You will need to research what corals you want, but your current lighting will limit you to NPS (non-photo synthetic) and low to moderate light corals. Also phospates will need to be near "0" for a reef tank and 'trates should also be kept very low too. 5ppm on trates would be kinda on the high side for a reef tank.
Also in your 3rd picture - there appears to be a saddled filefish in your tank - and that's really gonna be a problem for many corals - mostly sps would be dined on, though some lps may not be safe either. It's reported by some keepers of this fish that they'll pester your crabs too. If that fish is a saddled puffer - then it's even a less reef safe species than the filefish. If the fish is either species mentioned - one would REALLY need to research coral species least likely to be eaten AND most likely to survive with only a little light.
Its a valentini puffer. In another thread I posted someone said that as long as I feed it regularly I shouldn't have any problems with it eating my corals.
 
tangs rule

tangs rule

Active Member
It's a risk to have corals in a tank with a coral eater. Yes feeding easy food can help prevent it, but it all depends on the individual fish you get - I'd do ALOT of research on coral selections with a puffer in there and such little light. A 29g like yours could easliy stand 2times+ the light you've currently got.
 
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