View Full Version : Live Rock lighting
Redneck
11-14-2003, 5:13 PM
I just got some really nice looking live rock in my tank. I was wanting to do the best I could to promote the coraline (sp?) alge and other growths to spread throughout the other rocks in the tank. The other rocks used to be live but a 12day power outage last winter killed everything off.
Its in a 72 bow so it is fairly deep. The lighting on it now is a Power compact w/ the two bulbs that came with it, and a 4ft 50/50 bulb. The 50/50 is more on the front of the tank so not much gets to the rock, which is stacked against the back.
Should I change the bulbs in the power compact? I don't have corals anymore, and Im not sure if I'll get more again, but its always a possibility.
Thanks
Red
VoodooChild
11-16-2003, 3:40 PM
Personally, I wouldn't bother upgrading the lighting unless you plan to get corals. With what you have you should still get some nice colors for the coralline.
Redneck
11-16-2003, 7:18 PM
Thats just the answer I was hoping for...easier on the wallet. Thanks for the reply.
How many watts are the bulbs?
I've never had corraline grow without reef-like lighting over my tank. (Sorry for the bad news :p)
liquafaction
11-18-2003, 4:16 PM
our LFS has some low (36" VHO's) on his show tank, and he has amazing coraline algae growth. Every inch of his rock is deep purple. I do not know if the rock was purchased this way, or if it has grown this way from scratch, but it looks nice anyway.
Redneck
11-18-2003, 8:29 PM
I am pretty sure the bulbs are 55w, but I'll have to go check to be sure.
Has anyone ever bough bulbs from ebay?
liquafaction
11-19-2003, 9:52 AM
Has anyone ever bough bulbs from ebay?
not bulbs, but hole fixtures.
SimonWoodstock
11-19-2003, 10:10 AM
Just curious, does the coraline growth ever spread to the base rock? I saw some at a lfs and i swear it had greenish stuff growing on it. Do you usually put live rock over the base so the base is not visible?
VoodooChild
11-19-2003, 1:17 PM
Yes and yes. Just give it a few months to a year. Then the base rock should start to look like your store bought live rock.
liquafaction
11-19-2003, 3:48 PM
in a few months, you should notice splotched of coraline growth on base rock. You will even get splotches of coraline growth on your aquarium walls, powerheads, and coraline base. I do not know if it will grow on a sand base, but I would guess if it will grow on glass, it will grow on sand.
Redneck
11-23-2003, 9:43 PM
MFish What would be a good choice of bulbs for reef-like lighting? Would 50/50s in the Power Compact and strip light be good for the growth?