Is it good to start out with Low-Light corals?

[pyekhine]

Hi,

I've had my tank for a while now. I have a toadstool coral and couple of anemones in the tank since i started. I want to add more corals but I don't want to upgrade my light (broke and gonna be broke for a while). Right now, i have 260W CF light with 4 bulbs. And everything seem to be fine.

Let me know what kind of corals I should get? I need something that requires low light and hardy. I don't really like branch corals. I like stuff like mushrooms and zoas.

Tanks for the help!

 

[Imbarrie]

I dont know of any anemone that does well under CF lighting.

You should really consider selling those and getting starter corals that are compatible with your lighting.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

stick to zoos,softies and maybe some lps

 

[pyekhine]

I got 2 anemone and they are surviving for about a year now. and I only light up the tank for around 4-5 hours a day.

 

[tentacles]

Can you post a picture of the nems? I find it hard to believe that they are healthy under that type of lighting.

 

[Imbarrie]

I agree

 

[ming]

A pic would be great since you're still a beginner. I don't believe its impossible to have a healthy anemone with CF only, but it isn't always the case and some people believe their dying anemone is healthy.

A side note: technically, mushrooms are a type of anemone
so is aiptasia

 

[Imbarrie]

Yes an anemone can die slowly over the course of months and the signs are subtle.

 

[pyekhine]

Maybe you guys are right... it seems like it is loosing its tentacles over time.

 

[pyekhine]

First pic is when i first got it... second of it the most recent pic.... it has gone thru 4 moves...

 

[tentacles]

It looks pretty bleached

 

[Imbarrie]

I agree, that looks like it needs some help.

It has moved a lot because it is trying to find a bright spot. Failing that it has given up and stayed where it is.

The answer to your trouble is to get at minimum a HO T5 or a metal halide light and feed the nem until the color comes back. If you decide to keep your current light then it will be a good idea to pass this on to someone who can bring it back.

If you do get a new light then feed the nem fresh seafood, fish or shrimp diced into 1/2" cubes soaked in selcon.

From Drs Foster and Smith website;
The only aquarium food booster to feature Omega-3 fatty acids in a concentration suitable for the serious saltwater aquarist. Also contains Vitamin B12 and stabilized Vitamin C to enhance immune system function to prevent and reverse disease. Soak any freeze-dried or frozen food or feed Selcon to live brine shrimp to improve their nutritional quality. It can also be used directly in reef aquariums to benefit filter-feeding invertebrates. Treats 6,000 gallons. For marine use only.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=5009

 

[ming]

+1
It looks mostly bleached as its lost most of its color/zooxanthellae