Have minimal Lighting

[szutj001]

Have a minimal lighting setup two t5 36inch one a daylight 10k the other an actinic. And two power compacts 65 watt actinic's. What could I buy as corals? Nothing crazy as I said my main objective in my 55 is breeding a couple black and white clowns. But if i can get some low care corals just to make the tank more aesthetically pleasing. I like acropra I don't know if that can work but thats it in a nutshell oh by the way 55 gallon tank reverse flow undergravel 3powerheads a fluval 405 also blowing down into the substrate. And lets see thats about it. Oh yeah there is no money for anything else so can i run any coral or just Fogetaboutit.

 

[scags101]

I would like to know this also for future reference.

 

[cdness]

Before I would answer your question I would need to know what your tank parameters are at... Canister filters and UG filters can end up being nitrate producers and can limit your coral selection a bit more than just the lighting. Can you post up where your nitrates are at in the tank as well as how long it has been up?

With that said and assuming all parameters are good, I would say Acropora is going to not work well for you as they are high light corals. If you have individual parabolic reflectors on the T-5 lamps you would be OK with some of the lower light SPS corals like Montiporas and Birdsnests. Otherwise if you stick to the LPS (Hammers, Frogspawn, Duncans) and softies (Leathers, zoas, palys) I have a feeling you'll be just fine.

 

[Swordfish215]

The answer to this question, if your husbandry techniques are sound, is quite simple....The new generation deals in P.A.R. values and not the old formula of 3-5 watts per gallon......use the 3-5 watts per gallon formula.....If your around 3, about any soft coral would be fine...If your 4watts per gallon or a little higher, sps is an option.....An all encompassing answer to your question is technically much more complex than the one I just gave....but these simple calculations have worked for many people for many years. Good luck and remember, a lot of LFS guys are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to their livestock and what they require.

 

[scags101]

since im still cycling my tank and would like to eventually go coral how long should i age my tank with FOWLR tank?

 

[Swordfish215]

Just keep an eye on your parameters.......amm.,Nitrite,Nitrate,PO4,Ca,Alk,Mg ......When your system stabilizes, and coralline algae starts to abound.....Go for it...best advice I can give, is to invest very little into your corals at first.($).....Maybe some zoas,sinularias,candycanes, and see if they do well.....Good Luck.

 

[scags101]

yeah i was gonna do like 1 at a time just to see if even with the right parameters if they develop

 

[mike007]

I would stay away from sps corals unless you upgrade your lighting to halides or led. They are hard enough to raise as is. With what you have you can have nice mushrooms, softies,maybe some leathers easy corals.

 

[sanchoy]

T-5 in shallow tanks have the potential to have sps corals depending on very good reflectors and bulbs(ati tek). However with compacts that's a no no.

Best results with sps is still mh, LEDs are also nice as well remember to get 3w LEDs.


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[szutj001]

Thanks guys ok guess mushrooms and some zoas will be all i go for But thats a ways away anyhow as the tank is still cycling but the lil Black and whites are comfortable in there established tank so I am in no hurry.

 

[Davesgt]

If your wanting some easy corals that require very little up keep and very little light look at Cabbage coral, Kenya trees, Green star polyps, Mushrooms, Snake polyps, even some leathers would work also. Zoanthids are sort of a yes and no due to some require a higher PAR value to keep color and thrive. Ive kept cabbage coral, kenya trees and Green star polyps in a 10G tank with a single t8 50/50 and they thrive just fine and grow very quickly.

 

[szutj001]

Thanks for the other choices will be keeping it light as the budget is on a shoe string. But glad to know what i have a prayer to keep and what would be borderline and or kicking the bucket.