OK. If you want to try to make more light, it looks like 350 watts of metal halide could cost $260, but I don't know enough about constructing metal halide fixtures to know if there are additional costs to that. But that is the cheapest way I see to get over 5 watts per gallon. Your call there. You might want to do more research and find out what you can construct, or you might want to grab the $200 lights and move the gorgon to the very highest rocks.
Gorgonian
- Thread starter cybball
- Start date
I now have permission from the boss and can get the new lights! I'm going with the coralife 4x65w PCs. I will also use my single 40w strip light. Do you recommend using the legs on this light or lay it right on my tanks glass top? I currently lay the lights right on the top of the tank, as there are glass covers. Any clues?? Didn't know if I should order the legs.
Great to hear you have the OK for the new lights
What is the species name for the purple gorgonian you have found? I am a little puzzled by the statement about not feeding. Although many species are highly photosynthetic, I have not read of any that will not appreciate food.
What is the species name for the purple gorgonian you have found? I am a little puzzled by the statement about not feeding. Although many species are highly photosynthetic, I have not read of any that will not appreciate food.
Not sure about the species name. I'm still hunting for it. I need to get Eric B's book and do some research online. My lights that I got were the 4x65watt Coralife 48 inch. I'm going to use that, along with my single 40w strip with a Coralife 10,000K bulb. That should put me right at 300 watts for my 55. I'll put the gorgonian up high and see how it does. I've tried feeding. Some polyps are visable and some are not. Not sure if it's because of lack of light for several months. The added light should help it out, I hope. Lights should be in on Friday. I'm really excited. I bought them on Hellolights and they matched the lower price of $199 on marineandreef.com. They were very good to deal with. Hopefully the shipment goes well and the lights work.
My Purple Gorgonian
Hey All,
I know that it's been a few months since this post, but I ran across it...WTH.
I have a purple gorgonian, got it as a 2" frag. It's in my 29 reef with a Corallife 50/50 130w light. I have it on the bottom left corner, low water flow. I don't directly feed it ever, never have. I just add one cap full of Kent Micro Vert on Tues, and one cap full of DT'S Phytoplankton on Sats.
In 4 months, It has branched out to 3 different 4" branches. I have even cut one off, trimmed the bottom and glued it into a plug. It is in the bottom right corner. Both are kicking!!! VERY easy to take care of, very fast grower, ver cool!!!
Hey All,
I know that it's been a few months since this post, but I ran across it...WTH.
I have a purple gorgonian, got it as a 2" frag. It's in my 29 reef with a Corallife 50/50 130w light. I have it on the bottom left corner, low water flow. I don't directly feed it ever, never have. I just add one cap full of Kent Micro Vert on Tues, and one cap full of DT'S Phytoplankton on Sats.
In 4 months, It has branched out to 3 different 4" branches. I have even cut one off, trimmed the bottom and glued it into a plug. It is in the bottom right corner. Both are kicking!!! VERY easy to take care of, very fast grower, ver cool!!!
Great to hear. I hope mine do as well as that.
It's interesting to see one's old posts. Occasionally one doesn't get it completely right.
Since then, I decided to set up the 90 as a gorgonian-dominated tank, have been collecting frags and a few colonies, and learned a lot more about them. As was posted, the purple frilly gorgonian is definitely photosynthetic. I don't target feed either, but the tank gets a coral chow regularly.
It's interesting to see one's old posts. Occasionally one doesn't get it completely right.
Since then, I decided to set up the 90 as a gorgonian-dominated tank, have been collecting frags and a few colonies, and learned a lot more about them. As was posted, the purple frilly gorgonian is definitely photosynthetic. I don't target feed either, but the tank gets a coral chow regularly.
Just curious as what is in your "coral chow", and how often do you feed? You see how often and what I feed mine and I have had great success.
I also have several different types of mushrooms...too many now!, many different zoos, Yellow and green polyps, green, purple, and orange ricordea, and even one piece of orange montipora that is all the way on the top of the tank close to the lights. Every species so far has more than doubled, in some cases tripled or more in the last 6 months. Granted this is a beginner's tank, and that is me! This is my first stab at a reef, and I wanted to make sure that I could sucessfully keep a reef tank before I attempted the harder corals.
Bottom line is that I am always learning. You guys here have helped me countless times! Keep up the god work!!!
I also have several different types of mushrooms...too many now!, many different zoos, Yellow and green polyps, green, purple, and orange ricordea, and even one piece of orange montipora that is all the way on the top of the tank close to the lights. Every species so far has more than doubled, in some cases tripled or more in the last 6 months. Granted this is a beginner's tank, and that is me! This is my first stab at a reef, and I wanted to make sure that I could sucessfully keep a reef tank before I attempted the harder corals.
Bottom line is that I am always learning. You guys here have helped me countless times! Keep up the god work!!!
Great to hear the tank is doing so well Have you posted photos yet?
The coral chow consists of anything we could fit in an industrial blender: DTs, nori, frozen brine, krill, shad roe, a whole fish, squid, and I can't remember what else. I give it 2-3 times/week, alternating with other foods (formula 1, mysis...) for the fish and other inverts.
Have you posted photos yet? The coral chow consists of anything we could fit in an industrial blender: DTs, nori, frozen brine, krill, shad roe, a whole fish, squid, and I can't remember what else. I give it 2-3 times/week, alternating with other foods (formula 1, mysis...) for the fish and other inverts.
