PC lighting for corals?

[yoshii]

I have a question about my PC lighting. I've read that you can't really use the watt-per gallon "rule" for PC lighting, but Im wondering if my lighting will be high enough to support certain corals, like rics and maybe even a monti cap.
I have a 20gal standard tank, not high/long whatever. The light I have is a 2 bulb PC, 1x daylight, I think its 10, and 1x full actinic. The fixture adds up to 65watts
I was wondering if it was possible to keep a monti cap if I put it near the top? I've read that they can tolerate different lighting, but the color is best under higher lighting. Also, I was wondering if I could keep some rics near the top? I've heard they like intense light.
What if I double the lighting(buy another fixture)? An orange monti cap is my favorite coral, and I really want to get one in the future. But if they need more intense lighting, I figure why not get it now?
Thanks,
Christina

 

[speg]

mmm it's a two-bulb power compact lighting.. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how it's 65 watts with two bulbs... are they 32.5 watts each?
I have a cap now in my nano under pc lighting. So far it seems happy.. I cannot say that I've had it long enough to really tell you if it's going to last. It looks pretty healthy. Also, an encrusting monti I have that's more light-demanding looks good thus far as well.
As for the rics, I would suggest keeping ric florida on the bottom, and ric yuma a bit higher.

 

[yoshii]

Originally Posted by Speg
http:///forum/post/3261519
mmm it's a two-bulb power compact lighting.. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how it's 65 watts with two bulbs... are they 32.5 watts each?
I have a cap now in my nano under pc lighting. So far it seems happy.. I cannot say that I've had it long enough to really tell you if it's going to last. It looks pretty healthy. Also, an encrusting monti I have that's more light-demanding looks good thus far as well.
As for the rics, I would suggest keeping ric florida on the bottom, and ric yuma a bit higher.
thanks for the quick reply
Well, I plan to go to my LFS this week, I'll see if they have any frags that arent too expensive. I'm only 16 and Im on a budget, so I cant really afford a $60 coral just to have die
But personally, I think the guy gives me a discount ( I always ask about unmarked livestock) because Im so short I look like a little kid XD

 

[ibanez]

I have had monti in a ten gallon with 80 watts pc light and it kept some color, but didn't get good growth or look as good as it does now that I have upgraded the 10 gallon to 150 watt metal halide. I still use the pc on a 5 gallon now. I would recommend saving your money for a good light. You can pic up a nice metal halide off some forums where you are allowed to sell stuff for under $150.

 

[flower]

There are some really beautiful coral that requires none to very little light. Sun coral, chili coral gorgonian all are very pretty with lots of color. They are heavy feeders and require more frequent water changes but they are so worth it. I am attaching a couple of pictures Spanko posted of two really nice tanks.
Instead of trying to struggle with what can survive low lights, you may want to try some of these lower in the tank where little light can reach. Put those corals that need brighter lights up on top.

 

[yoshii]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3261601

There are some really beautiful coral that requires none to very little light. Sun coral, chili coral gorgonian all are very pretty with lots of color. They are heavy feeders and require more frequent water changes but they are so worth it. I am attaching a couple of pictures Spanko posted of two really nice tanks.
Instead of trying to struggle with what can survive low lights, you may want to try some of these lower in the tank where little light can reach. Put those corals that need brighter lights up on top.
thanks I've seen those tank, very beautiful! I've been thinking about trying a sun coral, I really like their color, and I have a nice little cave I could put it in, but do I need to target feed each polyp? I guess Im off to do more research

 

[yoshii]

Originally Posted by IbanEz
http:///forum/post/3261576
I have had monti in a ten gallon with 80 watts pc light and it kept some color, but didn't get good growth or look as good as it does now that I have upgraded the 10 gallon to 150 watt metal halide. I still use the pc on a 5 gallon now. I would recommend saving your money for a good light. You can pic up a nice metal halide off some forums where you are allowed to sell stuff for under $150.
thanks, I wish I could get a MH, but I dont have room above my tank

 

[ajroc31]

I feed my sun coral mysis shrimp twice a day. Just a piece for each polyp. They are starting to extend more, and are out for a longer period of time. Some consider it to be a pain, and you must feed them, but when I see the results from where it was when I got it, its worth it. When fed properly, it grows really fast, so it seems with mine. Its smallest polyps are getting much larger. I use an old dropper from Kent's lugol solution. So far so good.

 

[yoshii]

Originally Posted by ajroc31
http:///forum/post/3264400
I feed my sun coral mysis shrimp twice a day. Just a piece for each polyp. They are starting to extend more, and are out for a longer period of time. Some consider it to be a pain, and you must feed them, but when I see the results from where it was when I got it, its worth it. When fed properly, it grows really fast, so it seems with mine. Its smallest polyps are getting much larger. I use an old dropper from Kent's lugol solution. So far so good.
thanks, but I remembered that I am gone from my tank every other week, so my dad wouldn't be able to feed every polyp every day