corals? anemones? suggestions for a first timer please!

The vast majority of common soft corals are pretty easy to keep for a beginner. The first soft corals we had when we started our tank included Red Sea pulsing Xenia, a toadstool leather (see avatar), blue mushrooms, red mushrooms, and various zoanthids / palyzoanthids (aka button polyps, zoas, palys). They've all done well, and we've expanded on to other corals.

Will your tank have a canopy over it, allowing you to DIY your lighting if you wish (allowing for more customization), or are you looking for a manufactured fixture to just plug in and flip a switch?
 
The lighting could be anything from PC'sall the way up to MH's but I think a nice T-5 set up might be best because with MH's you might develop a heat issue. I had good results with all the different lighting on my 29 but with the depth of the tank T-5's might be the best all around option even with just a T-5 spec ballast or a WH ballast no real need for an IC ballast unless you go with all stonies then you might be better off with a MH. JMO
 
fsn77 said:
The vast majority of common soft corals are pretty easy to keep for a beginner. The first soft corals we had when we started our tank included Red Sea pulsing Xenia, a toadstool leather (see avatar), blue mushrooms, red mushrooms, and various zoanthids / palyzoanthids (aka button polyps, zoas, palys). They've all done well, and we've expanded on to other corals.

Will your tank have a canopy over it, allowing you to DIY your lighting if you wish (allowing for more customization), or are you looking for a manufactured fixture to just plug in and flip a switch?
Click to expand...

Right now the tank has a canopy and has two light fixtures. one runs the length of the tank and was made to fit the hood, about 24" and has a 10,000K bulb in it (Coralife F20-T12-BP), and another smaller light fixture that houses an 18" bulb, 7,000K (Lightning Rod T6)

is that what I need or do I need different light fixtures and the whole deal, or just new bulbs or what?
 
Amphiprion said:
I think utilizing both is the best alternative. Read good books, browse various forums and learn more first.
Click to expand...

Agreed, and after getting answers to questions go out and research again, especially if you have no to little knowledge to weigh the credibility of the answers you get.

And by the way...you are to be complimented for asking these questions before making purchases.
 
opivyfan1313 said:
oh I understand, no worries

thanks very much for the suggestions though

but was more hoping for personal experiences than books was all...
Click to expand...

I second the book recommendation given earlier. It is an excellent source of information for a marine tank for newbies or even a bit more experienced saltwater keeper.

Personal experiences are great, but the trick with this hobby is to get information from many diverse sources than research those answers and then make the best decision you can based off of that. There are many ways to approach the hobby and you're going to find that some will suit you and your tank better than others
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom