newbie question

[rjones1891]

i am cycling my first saltwater tank a fowlr tank but was wondering is their any type of coral that would live without the lighting of a reef tank

 

[reefaholic420]

there are a few corals that dont use strong lighting to thrive... dendros and sun corals are the only ones i can think of off the top of my head

 

[DJ_in_WV]

Yes there are several species of non-photosynthetic corals, sun, tube but it req you to feed them since they get nothing from lighting. Here is a good article Feature Article: Non-photosynthetic Corals: They really are hard! — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. these type of coral really req dedication on the keepers part and are not a easy alternative to photosynthetic corals

 

[keokea]

Yes there are several species of non-photosynthetic corals, sun, tube but it req you to feed them since they get nothing from lighting. Here is a good article Feature Article: Non-photosynthetic Corals: They really are hard! — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. these type of coral really req dedication on the keepers part and are not a easy alternative to photosynthetic corals

+1 nps's are demanding lil buggers

 

[rjones1891]

thanks

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to R2R! What size tank you have?

 

[Raggamuffin]

There are also alot of softies that will thrive under ANY light, I would put forward, GSP, kenya tree, pineapple tree, xenia, some mushrooms and zoos and the like. Most consider them pest corals but they will spread like mad even under T12 NO bulbs. As a bonus you will find that those corals will be given away by most folks

 

[shred5]

Yes there are several species of non-photosynthetic corals, sun, tube but it req you to feed them since they get nothing from lighting. Here is a good article Feature Article: Non-photosynthetic Corals: They really are hard! — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine. these type of coral really req dedication on the keepers part and are not a easy alternative to photosynthetic corals

Agreed... They are not beginners coral at all. Some require almost 24 hr feedings.

Dave Polzin

 

[rjones1891]

Welcome to R2R! What size tank you have?

55 gallon

 

[DJ_in_WV]

There are several different coral you can keep in the tank with minimal light(1 1/2 to 2 watts per gal or 2 standard 40w tubes). 55gal was my first reef tank years ago and I had 2 no tube and was able to keep mushrooms, gsp, Open brain lps, mushroom leather are a few that come to mind. While growth was not anything to write home about it was slow and steady and there were coral in the tank. I just used a cheapo garage light like you get from wallyworld and 50/50 bulbs was probably 30 to 40 bucks, shop light with a electronic ballast is only 15 buck now not sure about the no bulbs havent bought any in 15 years or better. and btw welcome to r2r revhtree has put together a pretty nice community site here hope you enjoy it