Some Questions..

[ReeferFreaker]

Well yes i would like to introduce my self first...My name is CJ and i started fresh water...but i got so bored of it..so i fell in love with salt water fishes...

ok first question...what kind of corals could i put in my 20 Gallon tank..(Still Trying to make it cycle) im currently using "MARINE-GLO" thos blue fluoracent(how ever u spell it) and i would like to know what kind of corals...and i also bought LIVE SAND..and LIVE ROCK(not CURED)...im still trying to make the bacteria grow, and my water is still cloudy from adding LIVE SANDS...and im using AQUACLEAR for 20 gall..with 2 foams, and 1 carbon bag in it.and using AQUACLEAR POWERHEAD for 20 gallon..

 

[MelanieF]

CJ,

I started that way too, 20 gal long w/ heater, powerhead, aquaclear filter and marine bulbs in regular hood. :lol: My below recommendations are my experience w/ using 2 hoods providing a total of 30 watts of light w/ 50/50 bulbs...

I was able to do mushrooms, green star polyps, button polyps and a large tree coral which the LFS had designated as a colt coral but it looked like something else.

Never tried any beyond that as about 4 months later I was hooked and my husband bought me my 72 gallon bowfront for Christmas that year. Being that those corals were only under that lighting for 4 months I do not want to insinuate they'd be OK long term without brighter lighting. :wink:

 

[ReeferFreaker]

oh ok..so i have to use 2 fluoracent light blulbs?like mix them together? and can i leave that blue light bulb by itself? without no other once?

 

[MelanieF]

Yes, you're going to need to provide both actinic and daylight types of bulbs. I used the 50/50's (Zoo Med Reef Suns) but if you already have one actinic you're going to need to make the other one a daylight... Since you're currently using a Marine-Glo, I would suggest either the Life-Glo 2 or the AquaSun for your second bulb. The Life-Glo 2 is rated at 6700K to simulate high noon over the ocean and the AquaSun is rated at 10,000K. I personally prefer 10,000K over 6700K as the 6700K seems to have a more yellowish tint to it. When combined with your actinic bulb the yellowish tint wouldn't be quite as noticeable though so it all depends on your preference.

As a side note, please make sure your tank is completely done with that cycle before adding anything... since your live rock is uncured that cycle is going to take a bit to finish. I cycled mine right in my tank and did a couple of water changes during the process. Adding any corals would not be a way to start your tanks' cycle...

You may already know this but just in case you don't... 20 gallons is not a lot of leeway for changes in water quality. I know you said earlier you've fallen in love w/ saltwater fish so I just want to forewarn you that in a tank that size you're not going to be able to comfortably have more than maybe one or two fish and even then you're going to need to constantly test your water parameters in order to react quickly to any buildup of organics... (fish & food waste,etc)

Hindsight for me... if I was in your shoes I'd still get my feet wet in the hobby with the 20 gallon but would've started saving $$ immediately for the bigger system. Either way, once you succesfully maintain a 20 gallon, going to a bigger tank is a piece of cake other than the increase in $$ spent. If you click my profile and search my other posts you'll see the effect of laziness on my 72 gallon tank. Please, please, please keep up on maintenance otherwise you might as well take a match to your money and dig a couple of graves in the back yard for inhabitants. :wink: