What kind of corals can I support?

meiamcool · 12-02-2003, 10:46 AM

With the amount of flow and light I have is there any way for me to support some small corals or maybe just something to add some color. Or do I need to wait until I buy my powerheads and PCs?

SaltBlock · 12-02-2003, 12:43 PM

I would wait for the PCs. Aclimation is a sensitive time for corals, so you will want adaquate lighting before you start introducing medium to high light specimens.

How many watts of PC lighting are you getting? Most people would recommend 5-6 watts per gal minimum for raising corals. However, there are people who report using less with sucess.

The powerhead issue may not be an issue at all. Do you know approx. how many gallons per hour your filter system turns? For a 10 gal tank, I think the recommended flow would be appx 100 gph. However, this depends on the types of corals you plan to introduce into the tank. http://www.liveaquaria.com/ gives good general info on these types of requirements for specific corals.

Good luck,

AEB

meiamcool · 12-02-2003, 01:16 PM

Right now I'm flowing 250GPH and I just wanted the powerhead to put more movement in that tank. As for the PC lights, I'm gonna go with the 24" Corallife Aqualife PC. Check it out here.

Whitten gave me the crazy idea of building a sump system out of my other 10gal since it is sitting there with nothing but live crushed coral and brown algea in it. I think I'm gonna make that the home of my damsel when I get another fish. I've gotta get that little bugger out of my main tank. This is all theoratical right now. It's fun to set goals. And exspensive. *beats head against wall.*

SaltBlock · 12-02-2003, 06:13 PM

Some may argue, but I would think even the most light needy species of coral could be kept in there.

Sounds like an excelent setup. Haven't heard of many 10-gal w/ a 10-gal sump. I like it.

AEB

meiamcool · 12-03-2003, 12:45 AM

I was thinking the same thing. I mean the fixture has got basically 130W that's 13 watts per gallon. I also ran across a retrofit kit for $140 on www.hellolights.com Whitten is going to help me build a huge cabinet so you can see the fuge and have a place to retrofit the PCs. This is going to be a long process. I think it'll be a nice challenge. I found a pump that flows 1,300 GPH. That ought to work eh?

meiamcool · 12-03-2003, 05:16 PM

I've been looking at these fuge setups and and they seem pretty simple. Just by looking at them that is.

I just want some colorful corals in my tank. It's pretty bare right now compared to everyone elses. I almost bought those PC lights today. I came so close. They are $132. I have the money in the good old bank but my bill collectors said that I can't have that PC yet. I'll have to wait until Christmas or something. The anticipation is enough to make somebody go nuts. I just need to do this thing right and one piece at a time.

SaltBlock · 12-03-2003, 05:41 PM

Wish some one would tell me I couldn't buy more reef stuff

AEB

ckreef · 12-03-2003, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SaltBlock
Wish some one would tell me I couldn't buy more reef stuff

AEB

Don't worry once you get to the $5,000 to $10,000 range your significant other will take care of that wish. Of course if your like most reef adicts you'll just ignore that request.