New to corals

[Isaiah]

I am interested in corals, but I would like to knowabout what elements di need for good growth in the tank. Is there anything special I need to add to my tank when I do get corals? I am only adding Calcium currently for my crabs. tx for the help

[dobejazz]

What kind of lighting do you have? can you list your tanks specs and parameters?
I don't add any suppliments/ elements to my tanks just regular water changes. Proper lighting will be the biggest thing you need.

Also have you been testing your calcium? The crabs don't need it

[YLChik]

It would also help if you could tell us what types of corals you are intreasted in...
soft, lps, sps...

each type of coral has it's own living enviorment - some like lots of light, some less light, some like lots of flow - some very little, so once you know what you like it will be easier to answer someof those questions.

[crvz]

I assume you're headed towards LPS corals (by where this thread is located), in which case you won't need to do a whole lot of supplimentation. If you're adding calcium, make sure to do tests, and make sure that the alkalinity is in the appropriate balance. otherwise, just good water changes, medium lighting, and medium flow and you should be fine.

[Isaiah]

I ordered a coral life delux 36inch lighting system with moon light etc..sorry new to the lighting thing. I am not real sure teh exact details, but it is a compact light system. I have a tall 56 gallon tank, 36 inch across. yes I am interested in hard corals. tx for your help. How much light per day?

Isaiah

[crvz]

Originally Posted by Isaiah

I ordered a coral life delux 36inch lighting system with moon light etc..sorry new to the lighting thing. I am not real sure teh exact details, but it is a compact light system. I have a tall 56 gallon tank, 36 inch across. yes I am interested in hard corals. tx for your help. How much light per day?

Isaiah

Saying hard corals doesnt really narrow it down. If you're talking small polyped hard corals, then your lighting is probably not going to be adequate. These would be corals in the genera Acropora, Montipora, etc., that go by common names like staghorn, elkhorn, birdnest, plating corals, encrusting corals, etc.

But, if your talking large polyped stony corals, such as those that go by the common names like hammer, frogspawn, brain corals, elegance, etc... than you should be ok.

What are some of the specific corals that you want to keep?

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!That's a deep tank.You'll need Mh.

[Isaiah]

I dont think MH are absolutely necessary for my tank. It also would depend on where my rock stacked up to. Yes Brain coral, etc.. is what I am interested in. I believe I bought the proper light system? Well at least it is stronger than what I currently have. I thought I needed the calcium for the crabs outer shell? Thats what the pet store owner told me and it makes sense. thx for the help.

[tellycoleman]

Well crabs dont make theur own shell they steal it from others. since a dead shell doesnt m grow you dont need calcium. If you have snails they do requie some calcium and magnesium . but hermit crabs no. Its very difficult to find a fish store that wikk give you good information. They are abusiness and they profit from sales.
I get nothing for advice so its best before you make any purchases to Do research.
my fish store told my stuff that was just wrong. So be carefull.
p.s. how deep is your tank

[Isaiah]

It is 24 inch deep. Yes that makes sense about the crabs, sorry (begginer). So I bought these new delux compact lights, and I am assumming that they will hold up to provide light for the harder corals, like brain, hammer, etc.. as wella s softs. what is your take tellycoleman

[Isaiah]

I also wanted to know if I need to prop the lights in some legs or can I lay it on my glass top? tx

[Isaiah]

here are the facts about the lights I bought

• Actinic 03 compact fluorescent lamp
• 10000K compact fluorescent lamp
• 3/4 watt Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED lamps
• Three on/off switches with three 8-foot power cords for separate timers
• Built-in ballasts
• One Cooling fan
• Sleek aluminum housing
• Highly-polished reflector
• Acrylic lens cover

[seasalt dreams]

The wattage of those lights will play a big part.

[crvz]

You can just place it on the glass, but I personally don't like using glass tops. They tend to block a lot of the light coming from the fixture, and they can trap heat.

That light should be enough for LPS corals, and definitely enough for softies. How many watts is the light?

[Isaiah]

2-65 watts lights and then the 2-3/4 watt lunars, I will take the glass top off and prop the light on some legs, Tx for the help.