small setup.. Corals???

[hfurtner]

ok I went back to the top and read your question again...
as far as I can tell as a newbie to corals, in my 29 gal, the light is not everywhere the same, as the light bulbs in the front are the white ones and in the back the darker actinic ones. so as usual one would build the Rockwall climbing in the back closer to the light and th brite front is the deepest part of the tank. If you look carefully it is only in the back lower corners realy darker then so much of the surface of your interior.
3" under the surface is to my understanding quite high up, put a coral there and it will reach the surface soon.
As I know from diving in the caribbean and red sea, on top of the coral you see most stony elkhorn and the softer ones deeper down. Nature made them I guess for less light because they would not survive the waves up there. So in a 29 gal. tank i guess you can putt then where ever you want, the light would be not to bright with the regular flourescent`s.
What do you think Mr. X?

 

[hfurtner]

again if anything it would be not enough, can`t realy think it can be to bright.
Let`s wait on Mrx. responce. :roll:

 

[mr_X]

hfurtner, i'll help with what i can, but i've only been in the game a short time myself.
i think what you are asking is if you can keep low light corals in your tank?
when you say "regular flourescent" light, what exactly do you mean? what is the fixture over your tank? how many watts? i assume it's compact flourescent.

 

[hfurtner]

hm, now we getting mixed up.
Ansphire, was the one who had a question and got no reply`s to it after I shot cross the scene.
So my last post`s was more an post to his question.
We awaiting your thought to ansphires`s quest.
but i have a store bought setup Bio Cube what comes with each 75 watt double compact flourescent, one white one actinic blue, and 3 blue LED moon light.

 

[Ansphire]

I only have a 55w 50/50 compact fluorescent... 29g tank

 

[Anonymous]

I only have a 55w 50/50 compact fluorescent... 29g tank

I believe I answered your q the first time. You chose not to see it.

NO, there is not going to be enough light with that 55w cf light to do much of anything other than fish regardless of where you put the mushroon corals.

 

[hfurtner]

Ansphire - did you read about light requirements for corals yet?
http://www.marinedepotlive.com has a learning link where you can get some fundamentals for all kind of things going on in you marine tank. Here I got my first knowledge of this Hobby.
In general there is a -Watt per Gallon- rule for specific corals, but you need to be at least in the 4-5 Watt a Gallon of withe light (not calculating the actinic blue ones)
Interesting to me is, I can`t recall ever reading to have to much light! But I also know that you should not use the Flash of a Camera when macing Pics. A very outstanding beautyfull Gorgonia Stem at a reef in the red sea was suddenly dying - suspecting the high frequent of being flashed at from all the divers visiting it. (Flashed with their cams ! not ......
( Reported from my Brother, who was a Dive instructor there for 2 Years).
Check also some online stores where they sell marine Tank stuff and animals, some have some nice info on the animals they selling. So you know what the specific one you might have in mind will lots of light or can do with less.

 

[Ansphire]

I only have a 55w 50/50 compact fluorescent... 29g tank

I believe I answered your q the first time. You chose not to see it.

NO, there is not going to be enough light with that 55w cf light to do much of anything other than fish regardless of where you put the mushroon corals.

I'm sorry knowse... I did read it.

I just got a bunch of people throwing stuff at me... I saw a setup just like mine with shrooms and some other stuff on it.. I was amazed...

What I would like to know really is what would be the variabes that make some people fail and others suxceed with exactly the same setup...

Maintenance or quality of tap water mabe??... funny thing

 

[mr_X]

i don't think Knowse is entirely accurate. i think it's possible to keep low light corals in your tank Ansphire. if you keep them close to the top, it shouldn't be a problem.
also, it's a matter of depth, more than wattage.

maintenance is the key to success. not quality of tap water. all water is supposed to end up about the same after it comes through a good RODI anyway, so the only thing good or bad tap water will effect is the frequency of filter changing for the RO unit.

 

[Anonymous]

Mr X,

Part of what you say is true, but I really don't think anyone wants to be limited with mushrooms and toadstool corals only in the top of the tank. 29's are deep and that would require a crapload of rock. If he was going with a 20 long, I'd say sure go for it.

Ansphire,
take your time, let the tank settle a good long while, read, read and read some more. Water quality, maintainance and circulation are all related. You are NOT going to find good tap water to use so get that idea out of your head. You'll need to buy ro/di water from the lfs or get your own ro/di filter.

 

[mr_X]

Mr X,

Part of what you say is true, but I really don't think anyone wants to be limited with mushrooms and toadstool corals only in the top of the tank.

Knowse, which part of what i said wasn't true?

ansphire didn't tell us he was entirely against corals at the top of the tank. he just asked a question about keeping corals under a certain light.

your personal preference about "what people want" is noted, but unnecessary IMO. in all honesty, ansphire is limiting himself with that amount of light. you know it, i know it, almost everyone else knows it, even ansphire knows it.
how limited is the question.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, let me rephrase it. Nothing you said was untrue, ok. But your assuming that he is using ro/di water. He clearly stated tap water.

1 @ 55w of pc light is not going to grow squat in a 29 even if the coral is in the top. Telling him that it is possible (at this point) is only setting him up for failure along with any other newb who shows up and reads.

Once he has experience and knowledge, then sure give it a try. And yes, I agree that he is limiting himself with that amount of light.

The difference is, I read what he asked and answered, I didn't read into what he wrote

Hello peps...

I set up a 29g simple... 50lbs of LR.. 50/50 55w compact fluorescent and a HOB Cyclone skimmer rated for 90g.. Also a maxijet 900 powerhead...


Would you guys please advise in a couple of things...

I want some cleaning guys... but I don't want to see 20 snails in my tank.. what do you recommend?... Mexican turbo snails??.. I wouldn't like more than 5... maybe a sand shifting star?...


And second.. Besides a clown pair.. what fish would you put in there..

Thanks in advance..

My reply

I have a 29 gal that's been up and running for 5 yrs now. It's too deep for compact flos. even if it has double bulbs. As for cleaners get whats available to you. A few assorted snails and a couple hermits is all you need. I would also suggest that you go no more than the couple of clowns that you intend. A 29 looks large but in reality it is a small tank and will not take more than a couple fish.

IMO, I believe I answered ansphire's question correctly the first time around.

 

[Ansphire]

Hey thanks allot guys...

I've been doing this for a while.. and I had no intentions of putting corals in my tank untill I put to work my 150w metal halide....

Its just amazing the things you see.. a setup just like mine full of shrooms and some other stuff.... that guy is doing something right...

thank you for taking the time guys... I hope I don't cause any problems between you's....

I appreciatte it allot...

... oh and I do have a crap load of rock in my tank.. I like it.. thats why the coral (if any) will be right under the light....

No rodi for now.. I'm broke!!!....LOL>. why did I get married?????

Guess I can open a whole new thread on that..lol