Lighting Requirements

[Hugh Mann]

I'm looking to get a couple of Zoas for my tank. I know my tank lights can support Zoas, but my quarantine just has a 100w equivalent 5000k led bulb, which I am guessing is insufficient?

I know Zoas are soft corals, and therefore not a risk of transmitting ich, but it can be carried on the plug, along with an assortment of other nastiness.

 

[Oscar47f]

I'm looking to get a couple of Zoas for my tank. I know my tank lights can support Zoas, but my quarantine just has a 100w equivalent 5000k led bulb, which I am guessing is insufficient?

I know Zoas are soft corals, and therefore not a risk of transmitting ich, but it can be carried on the plug, along with an assortment of other nastiness.

Very good practice ! It’s good to quarantine things ! How long were you planning to quarintine the zoanthids ?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Very good practice ! It’s good to quarantine things ! How long were you planning to quarintine the zoanthids ?

A minimum of 14 days. Any encysted ich/velvet, which are my main concerns will have dropped off. I know there's risks of aiptasia, but I already have that in my display along with an assortment of nuisance algaes, though I have heard of some sort of evil nudibranch thing coming aboard frags.

 

[I’ma tempermental coral]

I’m a big proponent for quality lighting over a reef. With that out of the way, there are plenty of small cheap lights on amazon that are great little lights for small QT tanks if you don’t want to go out and spend big bucks on a light that’s not gonna be used unless there’s reason. But by all means there’s no rule that says you can’t have the same light over your QT that’s on your DT! Lol

 

[I’ma tempermental coral]

A minimum of 14 days. Any encysted ich/velvet, which are my main concerns will have dropped off. I know there's risks of aiptasia, but I already have that in my display along with an assortment of nuisance algaes, though I have heard of some sort of evil nudibranch thing coming aboard frags.

45 days is the recommended for ich and velvet just a heads up! 14 days is still a little risky in my book. But that’s just my 2 cents

 

[Hugh Mann]

45 days is the recommended for ich and velvet just a heads up! 14 days is till a little risky in my book. But that’s just my 2 cents

Yup, I know, read Humblefish's sticky on Invert Quarantine. I just have more concerns about keeping the livestock well, live over 45 days in an unestablished system.

 

[I’ma tempermental coral]

Yup, I know, read Humblefish's sticky on Invert Quarantine. I just have more concerns about keeping the livestock well, live over 45 days in an unestablished system.

It’s really not as bad as you’d think. A simple yet effective coral qt isn’t something hard to set up. Maybe I should have my husband do one and I will do a diy build thread for it. I’ve seen successful qts that are set up the day coral arrives and then broken down as soon as the coral goes into the display, only to start the process all over again the next month lol.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Really now? Would have figured it would be a bit more complicated. All I've got to work with is a 20 gallon tall, aquaclear 70 and a 150w heater. Plus whatever light I'd need. That sufficient?

 

[Pntbll687]

Really now? Would have figured it would be a bit more complicated. All I've got to work with is a 20 gallon tall, aquaclear 70 and a 150w heater. Plus whatever light I'd need. That sufficient?

That will work just fine. You can keep some aqua clear sponges in the sump of your display this way they are ready to go anytime.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Excellent. The big question is lighting. I'm just wondering really what is the cheapest option I can get away with, as I won't be running too many corals through. More of a fish guy, but I'd like some Zoas.

 

[Oscar47f]

I'm looking to get a couple of Zoas for my tank. I know my tank lights can support Zoas, but my quarantine just has a 100w equivalent 5000k led bulb, which I am guessing is insufficient?

I know Zoas are soft corals, and therefore not a risk of transmitting ich, but it can be carried on the plug, along with an assortment of other nastiness.

I mean a 5k 100watt light will provide the zoanthids with enough light but might not be enough of the spectrum it needs so you may see color shifts... now if you really want you can cut the plugs off as best you can and put a new unused plug on... while it’s in quarintine I would do frequent dipping sessions in whatever you use and that will minimize pests going into the DT... as far as light goes you can get a cheap little light like a kessil a80 retail like 100$ used maybe even cheaper if you look on the forum... that will without a doubt provide the zoanthid with good lighting in quarintine but you can also get a full spectrum bulb from the hardware store up to you... if you cut the plug off it’ll also minimize the chance of Aiptasia getting in !

 

[Hugh Mann]

A80s go for $175 in my parts, so I think I will go grab a full spectrum grow light for $25. Not as fancy, but as long as it works. Thanks.

As for cutting off the plugs, don't know if I trust myself enough to do that and not damage the coral. Unless it's easier than I am imagining.