Do i have enough light for corals?

[jdeets]

If they're just normal output (NO) fluorescents, then you probably need more light. I'd recommend PCs for that size tank. I've never used PCs so I can't be of much help in recommending sizes/wattages or etailers where you can get them for cheap.

 

[XXX]

Mushrooms will thrive in your lighting.

 

[shag26272]

I have a 29 gallon Marineland eclipse with 1 Flourescent and 1 actinic blue. My LFS said i do not have enough light for corals. Can anyone tell me if this is enough light or what is the best upgrade if i dont have enough?

 

[shag26272]

i have 3 Muchrooms right now and they are doing great. Im gonna look into that hood link.

 

[reefworm]

Newbie,
You've gotten good advice thus far. I have nothing new to add, but I'll chime in to say I've had the same size setup for over three years, and it confirms what the others have said. I have the CustomSealife retro kit [2x2 55 watt PC] and everything has done very well. I don't keep SPS or clams - if you go that route definitely consider MH lighting, probably 250w or 400w.

regards, and good luck

rw

 

[fsa]

Newbie, a second link for diy pc's is www.ahsupply.com. I used them and would recommend them. LOL, fsa.

 

[DarwinTheDog]

Hi!

While it might be possible to keep some real low light corals, I would suggest you upgrade. Custom SeaLife makes retro-kits that will upgrade the MarineLand Eclipse hood. Check this LINK. The price is good and the upgrade is easy. Might be worth considering.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Right now, yes, you could probably keep mushrooms, polyps and xenia, but you may find that some things need to be placed very high up in the tank. I'd try buying a single mushroom (~$5) and see how it does. If it's reaching for the light, move it higher. Give it a month. Remember that you don't have a lot of margin as far as lighting excess to work with, so be patient.

The powercompact retrofit that fits in the eclipse hood will allow you to keep most softies with relative confidence that they'll have adequate lighting. It's way better than the NO lights you have now.

Take a while to decide what types of critters you want to keep (softies, LPS, SPS, clams, etc) and let that decide what type of lighting you get. If you dig softies, then maybe the retro will work out for you. Lighting can get expensive, so know what you want and get it the first time.

As a rule of thumb, 4-6W of PC or VHO lighting per gallon will work for softies and LPS (for a tank under say 24" deep). A Metal Halide setup (MH) will allow you to keep pretty much anything.

Ty

[ September 05, 2001: Message edited by: tyoberg ]