Purple and blue spotted mushroom

[mattkelso]

I am thinking about purchasing a peice of live rock with over 35 mushroom poylps on it i was told by the owner my 18" eclipses natural daylights was enough for them because they dont require to much light, Is this true? also my tank has beeen up since this sunday would it be to much for the mushrooms to take?

 

[kellenr]

Yeah you need to wait until your tank is cycled first. Meaning Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0. No, those 'natural daylight' eclipse lights are primarily for lighting freshwater. Mushrooms do require a 'little' light but really not much in the realm of things. If I were you I'd get the Zoo Med 18" lights, they sell them at the "2 Big Popular Pet Stores" for like $15 or less. The Zoo Med ones will fit the eclipse.
If you have 2 lights get the 10,000K bulb (Ocean Sun) and the 420nm Actinic Bulb (Coral Sun). If you only have 1 bulb get the "50/50' Bulb (Reef Sun). This will be ok to keep mushrooms, and give your tank much better color.