I want to create a deep ocean or constant moonlight reef aquarium. What kind of coral can survive in this type of lighting situation? Also, what type of fish can also thrive in this environment? Is there a book/web link that deals with this situation? - Thanks in Advance.
Nighttime or Deep Ocean Reef Aquarium
- Thread starter Haskellf
- Start date
Any non-photosynethic coral will do fine. However, most of them are some of the most difficult ones to keep. Sponge also is an alternative.
There are many deep water fish that like these environment, such as the "pineapple fish" that actually bioilluminsant (glow even without black light). Similarly, they are usually very difficult and expensive, and not recommanded.
There are many deep water fish that like these environment, such as the "pineapple fish" that actually bioilluminsant (glow even without black light). Similarly, they are usually very difficult and expensive, and not recommanded.
Hey again 
There aren't very many books on deepwater environments, but I have to warn you now that deepwater fish are generally very expensive (hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on species, locale, and depth of habitat). There are MANY exotic, beautiful fish down there, but be prepared to fork over the big bucks
As for inverts for deepwater, they're non-photosynthetic like CK said because there's little to no light down in those depths. This makes them particularly hard to keep in captivity since closed systems don't offer the amount and types of food these corals/inverts need. It's my recommendation not to try any of these ahermatypic corals and filter feeding inverts due to their high mortality rates.
There aren't very many books on deepwater environments, but I have to warn you now that deepwater fish are generally very expensive (hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on species, locale, and depth of habitat). There are MANY exotic, beautiful fish down there, but be prepared to fork over the big bucks
As for inverts for deepwater, they're non-photosynthetic like CK said because there's little to no light down in those depths. This makes them particularly hard to keep in captivity since closed systems don't offer the amount and types of food these corals/inverts need. It's my recommendation not to try any of these ahermatypic corals and filter feeding inverts due to their high mortality rates.
The issue is not how to set one up, but rather how to maintaiin the health of the critter without too much effort in time and money.
Deep "reef" is kind of oxymoron, since you can't really go under several hundred feet and still call it reef. Most fish do fine with minimal light, so I guess you can do what Inno suggested and have a bright area on one side, and dark on the others. You may have hard time to get the fish where you want it all the time.
For corals, as mentioned, most "deep" water species will need something in the order of MH, just higher Kelvin temperature. It is not moonlight intensity as you might thought. There are the non-photosynethic corals, but again, they are very difficult to keep due to special needs.
Deep "reef" is kind of oxymoron, since you can't really go under several hundred feet and still call it reef. Most fish do fine with minimal light, so I guess you can do what Inno suggested and have a bright area on one side, and dark on the others. You may have hard time to get the fish where you want it all the time.
For corals, as mentioned, most "deep" water species will need something in the order of MH, just higher Kelvin temperature. It is not moonlight intensity as you might thought. There are the non-photosynethic corals, but again, they are very difficult to keep due to special needs.
I'm planning a deep fore reef tank, specifically for fish found only in Hawaii. Some of these fish will come near the shallows, but most are found below 65 foot depth regularly. Len is very right about the prices:
Chaetodon tinkeri: 250
Cirrhilabrus jordani: 100
Pseudanthias hawaiiensis: 80 or so
Genicanthus bellus: 200
If you're willing to throw on a couple normal output flourescents, you can have mushroom corals, zoanthids, caulerpa algae. How large and deep is your tank exactly?
Chaetodon tinkeri: 250
Cirrhilabrus jordani: 100
Pseudanthias hawaiiensis: 80 or so
Genicanthus bellus: 200
If you're willing to throw on a couple normal output flourescents, you can have mushroom corals, zoanthids, caulerpa algae. How large and deep is your tank exactly?
My aquarium is a flatback hexagon that is 30"x16"x16". So it's 16" deep from top to bottom. I know I won't be able to create a real deep ocean reef since the deep sea pressure will be different and it sounds like the fish are quite expensive.
What would you recommend for a low light level reef aquarium. Where can I find info about low lighting soft coral and marine fish?
What would you recommend for a low light level reef aquarium. Where can I find info about low lighting soft coral and marine fish?
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