Now Im Ready for Corals

[SuperScro]

I originally was going to add corals to my tank several months ago but I was halted by too high of nitrates (20) and a algae problem which was dinoflagellates or red slime algae, don't remember name, but it was a hassel. That has passed with increased flow and carbon running and I contine to do so now. My Nitrates are lowered down to 5 now using Salifert Nitrate test. Mg is at 1300, Caclium 440, Kh 7, Temp 81 and salinity 1.026.

My lighting is the Nova Extreme T5H0 2 10ks and 2 actinics. This isn't a whole lot of light, but it should be good for some corals until i get the retro-fit kit for it.

I am definatly looking at keeping, zoos, mushrooms (ricordea, bullseye, hairy), wellso brain, trumpet/candy cane coral, some montiporas, maybe a gsp. This is what I know I would like to keep and might add others if they will do well in my system. Not sure if my current lighting will be enough for all of these. The retro-fit kit has reflectors with an extra 78 watts of light projected into the tank.

I also got a tank to fit under my main set-up to build a fuge, so that will be underway soon.

 

[Reefscape]

Awsome mate....i shall be looking forward to seeing some nice corals starting to appear in the system....The fuge is also a great idea, can only make the system better..

Niko

 

[BrkD]

does the nova fixture have reflectors for every bulb? im sure you can grow most corals with 4 t-5 bulbs. try switching one actinic to a 6500k or 10000k. i know a guy that keeps lps, sps and clams in a 2ft tall tank with a 4 bulb tek fixture.

 

[SuperScro]

I don't think my current fixture has reflectors for each bulb. I plan on getting a retro-fit kit and reflectors soon.

Not sure what I am going to add first. Would a montipora do well now with my current lighting, or should I wait to upgrade? Otherwise I will start with mushrooms.

 

[Subliminal]

Not too sure on the monti, but the rest should be totally fine under that lighting. If you put the sps high enough, it should do fine, too. Those babies put out a lot of light.

 

[SuperScro]

Was also considering a plate coral Fungia sp. I believe its called. The ones that sit on the substrate. Also considering a torch or frogspawn, but worried about the agressiveness in my size tank.

I will buy a couple reflectors from liveaquaria also, should help my corals out a little bit.

 

[jojo22]

Please see my zoantid frag sale in the classifieds. I'll hook ya up with some nice colors for your tank!!

 

[THEJRC]

sounds like a pretty good setup to mee, just start with the corals your going to put higher up and require a little less light and maybe some of the brains and such until you get your lighting rig all set up. I do wanna see how it turns out!

 

[SuperScro]

I have been patient with this. Was working and planning on going reef for a few months, just wanting for the opportune time. I am real excited to get it going.