Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
Wanted to get another opinion on lighting before I get corals. I want to get some gsp and possibly a toadstool leather. Is this lighting good for them?
Correct lighting for corals
- Thread starter Kapachuka3
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Bucs20fan
Valuable Member
I have found that GSP might even grow in the dark, some leathers can be forgiving as far as lighting goes, but if that is all you anticipate you could also probably grow some zoas with that light. How large is your tank?
Jib
Well-Known Member
GSP and leathers are pretty hardy and will grow under a variety of lighting conditions. I think it will be just fine. Is it this one?
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
I believe thats the one, I have tried zoas but I really want something that spreads fast, my tank is 32.5. And I think leathers are really cool.
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
Ok thanks, i think im just gonna skip corals then, i dont feel like spending 500$ on lighting and worrying about stuff cause im new to corals.
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
And theres very few lightings that actually go with the tank i have.
Brucealmighty
Active Member
Hey I had the same set of led's along long time ago and the corals I had were OK with it mushrooms and zoa's,... a leather would be more than happy to grow under that... and speed well it's hit and miss, if there's no competition then it could be fast growing but I'm not a leather expert in the sea only with the cows type of leather for my work
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
Awesome man, i think ill try it, so do you know how they spread, is it more like grass or does the “stock” grow instead?
Brucealmighty
Active Member
Not like grass when I had my leather the whole thing gets bigger over time, I have had green star polyps too by the way and they spread like wildfire, so be aware of positions for it, usually island type rocks on the sand are most peoples favourite. I have seen it growing up the back screen/window of a reef tank and it looked awesome
Brucealmighty
Active Member
On another point that set of led's did only last 1 year but in their defence it was a hot year and the driver overheated and failed, another consideration is if the lights are new or used they may be less powerful than when first fired up but with the choice of corals you have said they'll be happy with fluorescent T5's
Saskdevil
Community Member
I agree, I was tempted to get these lights for my tank. I did a lot of research and the PAR levels are not adequate enought for most stuff. I'm sure it would keep some stuff alive but you won't have substantial growth.
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
So dead honest opinion, should i get a leather, i want to get one decent size.
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Kapachuka3
Valuable Member
What cheaper lighting would you recommend for a leather, i have the 32.5 FluvalSmart flex.
Saskdevil
Community Member
I
Unfortunately I don't know any sufficient lights for corals that would work seamlessly with the FluvalSmart flex canopy. You may need to remove your cover. We had to remove our top and purchased a mid-grade option. That being said I highly recommend this light as an affordable option. You can get the NICREW controller as well. They work great together. It lacks the bells and whistles of the more expensive brands, but it allows ramping and a customizable schedule.
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Try a couple different soft corals in my tank finger leathers or devils hands take off like crazy toadstools grow slow. In my experience soft corals really like t5 lighting more than any other light source but led is easy now and cheap. Certain soft corals will thrive and some may not with that light it’s the nature of the hobby. Until someone figures out what each individual coral needs it’s unfortunately all experimentation.
Brucealmighty
Active Member
Well honestly, I'm a bit more apprehensive now that you said one decent size one.
Giving it as granted that your salinity, ph, tempreture, nitrates, alkalinity etc etc are all stable and correct I would honestly say get a smaller size leather (but then I'm unsure which.... toadstool?) because a smaller one is easier to move closer or further to and from your light.
Ideally you would be best to find a par meter for knowing what you have in your setup and seeing if the leather you have your eye on will be happy at the level you can provide otherwise find the next coral as some corals don't need as much light as others of the same type.
No need to get a decent sized one if it’s happy at all they grow to decent size in months anyways
