I currently have a 30g sw FOWLR tank and I was hoping to turn it reef. I've heard coral requires certain lighting needs as well as certain supplements? Any info on this? I really am on a tight budget and dont want to spend a lot of money on lighting. I currently have about 1.2 watts per gallon. Its some kind of like andescent or sumthing I have no clue how to spell it. I was thinking of some mushrooms and a small hard coral or two. My water quality is almost always prefect except for one time recently due to a tank size change and not enough salt mix. But its all good now I am stocked up on salt,food,medication etc to last me for the next couple months to a year. So any beginner corals? Any info on anything about corals or mushrooms etc is welcome! :dance
thinking of going reef
- Thread starter fishman89
- Start date
The least expensive route would probably be one of the 2X65 watt PC hoods. You can get it for under $200, and could keep mushrooms, soft corals, and even a few of the hardier stonies in there.
For a 30, I'd look at power compacts. Think that's a 24 or 30 inch tank? They have a compact dual bulb that would give you a good boost...Not sure on cost. Basically, aim to have a minimum of ~4-5 WPG and you'll be able to have a variety of polyps and softies. Many stonies need more--you'd have to shop around and be very picky. Sorry, your first post implied that you didn't want to spend a lot--for some, that's $500, for others, that's $50. Without spending $150-200, it's hard to come up with enough light. Check www.Hellolights.com
I'd be willing to spend a maximum of 400$,but i was looking for something around 100-200. But if need be I will go higher. Anything to keep my tank happy and thriving. I am looking on LiveAquaria for some hoods and lighting,so I get rid of the incandescent of hwatver lighting? I am looking at some lights called coralife? those any good? they'd give my 6 watts per gallon is this enough. Sorry for not specifying earlier orion.
The coralife 2X65 fixture is good. I used one for a few years, and it held up well. I used the legs (I think they were about $7 extra), and went without a glass lid.
When you say black tube coral, do you mean tubastrea? That genus needs to be fed a lot, and the black species is supposedly tricky to maintain.
Any mushroom in the genus discosoma will be good.
There are a lot of colorful zoanthids you might also think about.
For soft corals, capnella and anthelia make excellent starter corals.
Any mushroom in the genus discosoma will be good.
There are a lot of colorful zoanthids you might also think about.
For soft corals, capnella and anthelia make excellent starter corals.
thankyou. I am ordering 3 corals and a 2 mushroom rocks right now. I ordered the light and I cant wait for it to arrive. Its coming tommorow morning. I've heard corals are sensitive to shipping though is this true? I will give you the updates as they come.