my 55

[Willis]

I have a 55 gal fish only tank and the nitrates stay at 20 to 30. I want to know if I can put any or what types of coral would live in this tank.I am useing regular tank lights and a emperor bio wheel for a filter. I am in the process of getting stronger lights to help out but are they a must for corals? Please reply, thank's....

[reeferbill]

Hi Willis; How long has your tank been running? I started out with button pollups and assorted mushrooms but I went to Walmart and got 3- 48 inch shop lights ,that was 40 watts x 6 = 240 total watts on 75 gallon tank. I just rested the bulbs on the top of the tank(no cover).I thought it was great and I could keep LPS also.Aqua-taders has some less expensive lights to get started with. Happy Reefing!

[doug64]

Soft corals should do fine in a tank with higher nitrates. Make sure that you test the phosphates as well. Often aquariums with high nitrate also have high phosphates. Your corals won't do well in water with high phosphate. Stonger lights are a must. I would recommend at least 200 watts of T5 lighting for that size aquarium. That much lighting would be adequate for most softies and many LPS corals. I would also recommend a couple of Korallia powerheads for increased circulation.