DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
I have a 15 watt 20 gallon, 14 inch aquarium with a single dark blue fluorescent bulb. I am planing to add some coral and I want to know what coral will thrive in this aquarium.
Blue Light Corals
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15w T12 lamp? I'd not put any coral in there.
DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
I will get more white light from the other aquarium to the right. There is a black cover on the back of the 20 gallon so it doesn't seem that way.
What are some non photosynthetic coral?
What are some non photosynthetic coral?
Harold Green
Well-Known Member
Sun corals, sponges, some gorgonians, perhaps some mushrooms. I'd try red ones as they seem to thrive in lower light.
DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
I thought Actinic was for corals
DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
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Do not do non-photosynthetic corals in the tank unless you have had lots and lots of experience, grow your own food, and really want to deal with the maintenance.
Have you been reefing long? I am not trying to be cynical or mean, just trying to get an idea of where to start. Looks like a freshwater system next to the small 20gallon.
Have you been reefing long? I am not trying to be cynical or mean, just trying to get an idea of where to start. Looks like a freshwater system next to the small 20gallon.
DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
Do I have experience with reefing... LOL no. The aquarium set up next to the small 20 is my 180 gallon FOWLR
Okay, first before anything else, you need to do some reading on lighting and corals. Huge difference between FOWLR and Reef in the flow and lighting department.
Some decisions will be based on budget, but lighting and filtration should never be skimped on a reef. Not only my opinion.
So, first decide what types of corals you want to keep. Where do you see this tank going? What really tickles your fancy? This will get you pointed in the right direction. Type of coral has a huge factor on flow and light. Also, planning is very important in reef keeping if you want to be successful and not waste a bunch of time, money and lives.
So, shoot out some questions on ideas you have for the system and then people will jump in to help I am sure. I will.
Some decisions will be based on budget, but lighting and filtration should never be skimped on a reef. Not only my opinion.
So, first decide what types of corals you want to keep. Where do you see this tank going? What really tickles your fancy? This will get you pointed in the right direction. Type of coral has a huge factor on flow and light. Also, planning is very important in reef keeping if you want to be successful and not waste a bunch of time, money and lives.
So, shoot out some questions on ideas you have for the system and then people will jump in to help I am sure. I will.
DAT_WRASSE
Community Member
I've been doing research on reef tank tanks for over a year. I have the proper skimmer and filtration but I'm not sure about lighting
Actinics are for coloration only, just a color for the eye, does nothing for the tanks inhabitants.
Minimum lighting I'd go with is T5HO lighting, 2 lamp unit would be bare minimum, 4 lamps unit would be best.. Next would of course be LEDs.
NPS corals are not for beginners either, they need alot of TLC to thrive.
Minimum lighting I'd go with is T5HO lighting, 2 lamp unit would be bare minimum, 4 lamps unit would be best.. Next would of course be LEDs.
NPS corals are not for beginners either, they need alot of TLC to thrive.
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Harold Green
Well-Known Member
Reefing Madness have you ever tried raising corals under actinic lamps? Not to debate with you but I've gotten excellent growth of soft corals and some lps under vho actinics for several years. As a matter of fact there's a blasto in my display under led's with over 30 polyps on it that I still have pictures of under actinics where it started as one polyp.
Standing corrected:
Upon further review. Actinics are as important as Blue is to photosynthetic life.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature
Upon further review. Actinics are as important as Blue is to photosynthetic life.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature
I personally still love T5s. I have Metal Halides/T5 combination still over my 210 and love it. I have T5s on my 40g and love it. Have LEDs on my 6gal and not so much, but hope to get an upgrade to the two PAR 38 bulbs have now soon.
20Gal tank will do fine with 2 T5s about 8 inches or a bit more off the surface of the water. I would get one Blue plus and one Coral White, you want a nice spectrum. I have this combination on a 40g (only 2 bulbs) and everything is doing great for over a year. Mostly LPS, but some SPS frags up near the surface more.
20Gal tank will do fine with 2 T5s about 8 inches or a bit more off the surface of the water. I would get one Blue plus and one Coral White, you want a nice spectrum. I have this combination on a 40g (only 2 bulbs) and everything is doing great for over a year. Mostly LPS, but some SPS frags up near the surface more.
