Keeping Corals

reepher · Mar 28, 2014

So I have my tank set up and completely cycled. I have 2 clowns, 1 damsel, 1 yellow tang, 1 coral beauty, 2 shrimp (for aiptasia) hermits, snails and a nem. I want to add coral but am nervous because I had put a LR with some zoas on it in my tank. They did fine at first but now seem to stay closed all day. Im not sure if its the fish or water conditions. Figured id see whats up before trying to purchase any more.

55 gal with 10gal sumpspecific gravity: 1.024temperature: 76
alkalinity 2.0
calcium 400ppm
magnesium 1200 or so
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phospate at 0 ppm
Nitrate comes up a little and goes away from time to time.
Im unsure what type of lights I have 2 smaller tube lights that came with the tank and a blue LED strip.
I know lighting is a big issue but from what Ive read my readings are ok. Any suggestions?

garias · Mar 28, 2014

I think this is your problem alkalinity 2.0 you have to raise it slowly

reepher · Mar 28, 2014

Awesome ill try that out

mike007 · Mar 28, 2014

If you are measuring your alk.in meq / l then you are okay. You might want to raise to 2.8-3 but do it slowly. With the lighting you will be limited to the type of corals you can keep. You will have to house low light corals so do your research before stocking.

Reefing Madness · Mar 28, 2014

jimbau · Mar 28, 2014

I wouldn't mess with your ALK yet. When you say your Alkalinity is 2 do you mean Meq/L or dkH? Most people use dkH where 7 is about average but I think 2 Meq/L is equal to 7 dkH so you might be fine. You really need to increase your lighting if you expect to keep anything other than low light corals. I would look for some green star polyps or pulsing xenia and see how they do.

reepher · Mar 28, 2014

yes measuring in Meq/L. Thanks for the tips guys. I envy some of the coral pics I see on here!!! I want an underwater forest aswell lol. Also i was looking into the green star polyps.

reepher · Mar 28, 2014

As far as the lighting would you recommend led or fluorescent?I see alot of "coral lights advertised on craigslist and such are mostly fluorescents but I see more LED than anything on this website.