PC for reef tank ok ?

[snakes'n'fish]

I am actually thinking about setting up some corals and such in on of my tanks. I have been told that the only way to get corals to grow and thrive is through MH. I have a 55watt 48" strip on the tank with a 40watt fl. atinic on there as well. My anemonies thrive in the tank. Could a support corals as well ?
I have always been a fish person, but i am thinking of adding a few corals to the tank for a new look. I just want to make sure i don't invest a bunch of cash into something i can not keep
Have to make sure
Thanks !

 

[saltyrich]

What is your tank size? And no, you do not need metal halide lights for corals to grow and thrive. It is one of several types of lighting. People have a lot of succes with power compacts and vho lighting as well. MH is good, but not required.

 

[iechy]

You can definately do a reef with PC , you just won't be able to keep everything. You could keep mushrooms, some leathers, and some zooanthids or polyps. You could also keep things like sun polyps which don't need any light at all but depend solely on feeding. HTH. GL.

 

[snakes'n'fish]

oops i forgot that part, it is a 75, i have 2 10,000k's in it now and the the flor. strip is also a 48" .

 

[nm reef]

Just to give you a idea of the possibilities without MH check my website below for pics of my 55 reef that is thriving with 4x65 watts of PC and 2x110 watts of VHO...corals can definitely survive under less than MH...but you still need a stable/mature system and knowledge of your corals will help also.

 

[snakes'n'fish]

WOW ! Nice ! the tank has been up for 2 years with just a few gobies and a yellow tang , and a percula. It has 80lb LR 100lb LS so i think i am covered on that part. I just wanted to be sure before I spend the money this coming week. I have a decent knowlegde of corals as i part time at a local fish store.That is the bonus to this .. good discounts of fish and corals

 

[iceburger]

when i finish my 75gallon reef... i will have 4.4 watts per gallon with 330 watts of PC, it should be good to keep almost anything, although i'll only keep softies and leathers...maybe a hammer or frogspawn.....