What is needed for soft corals?

[drakken]

I'm currently setting up a small and simple 28 gal SW tank. I plan to have 2-3 fish, starfish, hermit crabs and shrimps. I do not want to do an all-out reef but I would like to keep some soft corals like mushrooms. I have searched around but I haven't been able to find much info on just keeping soft corals.
So my questions are:
Do I need to have live rock?
Do I need/want a DSB?
What would be appropriate lighting? I was looking at a 110 watt power compact with 2 bulbs.
Were is a good source of info on soft corals?
Anything else I need to know???
Thanks!!!

 

[krux]

check out form the library or buy Aquarium Corals (Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History) by Eric Borneman. it will answer every question you can think of about equipment, lighting needs, nutrition, additives, etc for most corals you will run into in the trade, including an entire chapter on corallimorpharia (mushrooms).
if you need more immediate info lots of folks can help with that, but i would really start out with that book if you are leaning towards keeping corals of any type. great investment that will save you tons of work and cash down the line.

 

[drakken]

Originally posted by krux
check out form the library or buy Aquarium Corals (Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History) by Eric Borneman.
Perfect, thank you!

 

[jim672]

Originally posted by mnreefman
[ dose iodine
Most believe regular water changes provide enough iodine for a healthy system (and good mushroom growth). Too much iodine can be toxic to a system. If you're going to add iodine be sure you have a good iodine test kit so you don't over-dose.
Jim

 

[jim672]

mnreefman,
I was not flaming. Sorry if it sounded that way. I just wanted to provide that additional information in case Drakken wasn't aware of the potential problems with over-dosing iodine.
Jim