light question-please advise

[Jacobb]

I have 40G tank and my lihgt is:
96W 10,000K power compact
30W Magtinic-Coralife
30W 10,000K - Coralife.
What kind of corals can I keep with this setup. Please advise...

 

[davelin315]

I am assuming the 40 is fairly shallow from what I know of 40 breeders, don't know if yours is one, but your lighting in a shallow tank will be fine for mushrooms and various polyps, and even some soft corals and a few lps species. The corals with a skeleton won't thrive, but they'll do well enough with that much lighting. I wouldn't try anything difficult though, just simple stuff.

 

[Jacobb]

^

 

[esmithiii]

I have a 55G w/ 2x55W PC (1 55w is over each half of the tank since the bulbs are less than 2' long) so realisticaly I have less light than you. I have successfully kept the following:

3 species of photosynthetic gorgonians
xenia (pumping xenia)
capnella (tree coral)
euphilia paradivisa (Frogspawn)
several colonies of zooanthids
ricordea (frilly mushroom)
mushrooms (Several species)
heliopora (Blue ridge coral)
sarcophyton (umbrella coral)
lobophyton (Devil's hand)

The corals listed above seem to do well in my tank. They all show growth, perhapse not as fast as in other tanks, but some grow quite fast. The following photosynthetic corals/inverts I have not been able to keep:

1 SPS frag (given to me for free)
Squamosa clam
Deresa clam
pachyclavularia (brown star polyp)
briareum (Green star polyp)

 

[Jacobb]

Thanks to all of you for the info!!