Beginners lighting for coral?

lennyd4 · Sep 5, 2011

I am in the process of cycling :cry:, a 65 gallon tank for FOWLR, but IF i wanted to get maybe a few "beginners" corals down the road.

1. What would be a good lighting system for me ? (brand and type of light..cycle?)
2. What are good "beginners coral" ?

Rockadile · Sep 5, 2011

beginer coral would be things like zoas and mushrooms and leathers, any soft coral. LPS are pretty easy as well such as acans favias candycanes and so on. as far as lighting goes i would suggest maybe a 4bulb t5 setup for your 65gal. but since you are going fish only to start any light will do. i think the main difference between fowler and reef tanks is the light and flow you add to the tank.

skinz78 · Sep 6, 2011

I agree with Rockadile's suggestions of beginner corals. I would go with a 6 bulb T5 if your budget allows it. If not then a 4 bulb would do, just make sure it has individual reflectors.

VegasRick · Sep 6, 2011

There is actually quite a bit more than throwing lights on a fish tank to make a good reef tank. First thing that pops into my mind is a RODI system. You wont be successful with a reef tank with out one. The main reason you can get away with out one on a fish tank is you don't have the lights to trigger algae growth.
The second thing that comes to mind is nutrient export. If you have started a tank without using it then you now have to export all the nutrients in the system. And a 100 percent water change isn't the same. Phosphates will bond to the ca carbonate on the rocks so you will need to remove it some how. So a method to export phosphates is required. GFO or some type of phosphate sponge, or a refugium to harvest algae. And a good skimmer will also make a big difference.