What coral could I not keep??

[PhNixx]

I'm getting back into saltwater so I'm in need of some re-education. I was wondering if my current setup will meet the needs of almost all corals. Now before you laugh at it... my wife wouldn't let me spend alot at once so... a bit here... a bit there and in the end I've spent the same but she's happy.
Now for the setup: 33gal with 2.5"crushed coral bed, 45-50lbs of Japanese live rock, 100W & 200W Tronic Heaters, 201 Power Head for circulation (reef carbon in insert for polishing), 402 Power Head feeding DIY 28"x4" cc skimmer, Aquaclear 300 with surface skimmer DIY refugium with red algae, 2x 30WNO Marine Glow (10Hrs), 2x 30WNO 50/50 (9.5Hrs), 1x 30W Power Glow (8Hrs), 6x 1W blue LED (490nm) & 6x 1W black light LED (~400nm) as moon lighting on dimmer. Water turnover is aprx 12x/hr. The lighting total is aprx 153W or 4.64W/gal. When I can sneek it past my wife I plan to add a 33 gal refugium with a 4" DSB and a 802 on a return loop lighted by 2x 20W 50/50 or Marine Glow on a reverse lighting cycle.
So now my question: with my current setup what all can I NOT keep, and when I add the 33gal fuge will I be able to keep it?
Thanks for the help.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi PhNixx and :welcome:

You might want to rethink the crushed coral substrate. It has a tendency to collect detritus without frequent vacuuming - sortof a maintenance headache. Do a search on the board for more opinions.

Your setup sounds like it will be fine for many soft corals and probably some LPS depending on the tank dimensions (ie. how tall the tank is). IMO the most limiting aspect of this setup will be light. Although normal output fluorescent lighting is adequate for many things, especially in a a shallow tank, I'd avoid anything that prefers high intensity lighting like SPS corals, Tridacna clams, anemones, etc. Watts/gallon is really not a very useful rule of thumb as it doesn't account for many factors that come into play as to how much light will actually get to the animals.

The refugium while probably beneficial, won't compensate for a lack of lighting IMO. You'll be fine with many softies with/without the refugium, but if you want to get into the higher light creatures, a lighting upgrade will probably have the most significant impact.

JMO of course, take it FWIW...

 

[PhNixx]

Thanks for the info. When it comes time to replace the blubs the shock to my wife might allow me to get the 175WMH swapped in for the NO's. Now that I think about $30/bulb x 5 blubs = $150 about the same as a MH bulb around here. I'll keep this lighting until the tank is a year then get the MH and I'll get the ripples. Thanks again

 

[PhNixx]

Another Question: if I remember right some corals like tank's of a larger size so if I'm right what might those corals be that will not like or grow to maturity in my 33gal? NVM I'll post this in a new topic.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

>...I'll post this in a new topic.

Here it is.

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=58742

Again, welcome to RDO!

 

[Anonymous]

What you cannot keep with your current setup..well IMO, SPS and probably most LPS outta the question..size of tank is irrelevant since you can always remove excessive growth off most corals (frag them to friends or sell pieces to hobbyists?) your lighting is an issue mainly and while youre at it maybe getting away from a CC skimmer and going maybe venturi? I use a bak pak 2R which works great (except for the rare and bizarre occurances ive been having) It skims really good for small tanks and well worth the money...I have a 20g with 175W MH...(my wife was the same way with the cost of the lighting until she seen how it changed the appearance of the tank) now she is on the Dark Side :twisted: Refugium is a great idea, it will do a good job with "polishing" the water, just get some good Macros for it..the blue L.E.D is a good idea for moonlight esthetics..im currently using blue rope lights from Lowes..six bucks...Youre off to a good start it sounds
best of luck

 

[ChrisRD]

..size of tank is irrelevant since you can always remove excessive growth off most corals

Just to clarify... ...the height of the tank and choice of lighting will have an effect on what you can keep in the lower portions of the tank.

That's what I meant when I said...

Your setup sounds like it will be fine for many soft corals and probably some LPS depending on the tank dimensions (ie. how tall the tank is). IMO the most limiting aspect of this setup will be light.

 

[Anonymous]

the height of the tank and choice of lighting will have an effect on what you can keep in the lower portions of the tank

You are abolutely right, im thinking of growth, I should have paid more attention to detail...but the heigth is gonna determine your lighting like you said...You obviously need stronger light to penetrate a deeper tank...lack of communication on my part