Low light inverts, suggestions?

E

EhfiYann

Now would be a good time
Jun 29, 2004
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www.wow.com
Hi,

I'm starting a low tech, low light mini-reef soon. The kids want a Mandarine Goby :p

I'm thinking of two 24W, T-5 bulbs, one 14,000K and one actinic.
Tank size would be something like a 20 US Gals (16" deep).

What would be the inverts to choose for that kind of setup, would the amout of light be sufficient or maybe i should use those Compact 96W fluorescents? I like mushrooms, what else could I have in there that is easy to keep?

Thanks for the suggestions :(
 
Mushrooms, zoanthids, some soft corals, and even some large-polyped stony corals will do allright, assuming you have good reflectors on the T5s. For the moment, comapct fluorescents are a little cheaper, but T5s give you more light per watt.

The mandarin is another story. Although some eat non-live foods, most need a constant supply of small, live arthopods. That necessitates a large tank with mature live rock, or a large refugium plumbed inline with a smaller tank.
 
I do have access to mature live rock for the Goby but thanks for the comment, I see you care.

I assume that any lighting above mentionned will do...

What will be the best way to fight algea in a setup like this? I think it could be an issue, right?
 
Sorry if I wasn't clear. The lights you mentioned will be good for a number of coral species, although some may need to be kept near the top.

The common wisdom (based on a lot of dead mandarins) is that a mandarin will rapidly deplete the pods in a small tank like a 20, then starve. You may have thoroughly researched their needs and come to a different conclusion.

For algae control, a combination of a good protein skimmer (the CPR bakpak 2 and AquaC Remora are good for a 20), a lot of circulation (10-20X per hour), regular water changes, and herbivores (snails, hermits) keeps algae in check. You will probably still get diatom and cyanobacteria blooms in the beginning, which will calm down as the tank matures over a few months.
 
Thanks, I'll get them a Nemo fish :p

Can I keep anemones too?
 
Probably not without more light, unless you mean aipstasia. ;) Anemones are pretty light intensive in their needs.

Clowns will host often enough in a fake anemone that you might consider that route.
 
Originally posted by mogurnda
Mushrooms, zoanthids, some soft corals...
Click to expand...

Could you be more specific on species that are easy to keep (and nice). What about xenia?
 
Could you be more specific on species that are easy to keep (and nice). What about xenia?
Click to expand...
Mushrooms: Many species do well in beginners' tanks, and most need little light. Discosoma is always a good choice, and it comes in many colors.
Another good low light coral is "yellow polyps" or parazoanthus.
Anthelia may also do well, although I haven't tried it in light as low as yours.
Xenia's a bit iffy. Not just because of the light, but also because it tends to crash in some people's tanks. Maybe iodine, but it's hard to know. It can be a weed for some, impossible to grow for others.
You might also consider some of the large-polyped stonies, like frogspawn. I have seen it do well under similar light conditions.

If you doube the amount of light, either with a 130 watt PC fixture or a 4 bulb T5 fixture, your choices get much broader.
 
I've had good luck with open brain corals. At my local fish store, the sales person keeps them in low light as well as me and it really grows. Mine is red and neon green striped and has nearly doubled in size since I got it a few weeks ago.
 
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