[cichlidfort]

Hey guys, I upgraded my lighting from two 20 inch 40 watt Satellite Compact Flourescents to a 48 inch Jebo 220 watt lighting system. My tank is a 55 gallon tank. Before my satellite fixtures wouldn't even completely fit on the tank since both fixtures combined was only a total length of 40 inches but now my PC's that I ordered will properly fit the tank.

Well I have some questions about my new lights:

1.) What types of corals can these support?

I was told they can support softies, zoos, LPS and mushrooms but definately not any anemones, clams or sps. That would be a correct answer right?

2.) How should I position my lights over the tank?

3.) And how long do I run the lights on for daily?


Thanks

[The Grim Reefer]

You should be fine with the softies and such. I have heard of people keeping anemones and clams with good PC's (which Jebo ain't) but wouldn't suggest it unless you are willing to change the lamps every 6 to 8 months or so. You might be OK with lower light Montiporas high up on the rocks.

[cichlidfort]

I know Jebo isn't the best PC maker but I am just a beginner. So I guess there is no type of anemones i could keep either?

[Reefland]

I wouldn't. But you can keep a very nice array of corals with that lighting.

As far as placement - Length-wise centered over the aquarium.
As far as duration - 10-12 hours per day.

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I wouldn't. But you can keep a very nice array of corals with that lighting.

As far as placement - Length-wise centered over the aquarium.
As far as duration - 10-12 hours per day.

Thankyou very much Reefland. About the length-wise placement. Should it lay directly on the tank or slightly mounted?


Are there soft corals that resemble anemones that sting and have tentacles?

[Reefland]

No I wouldn't lay it directly on the tank. I am not sure exactly what fixture you got, but most have some kind of legs that will stand on the ends of the tank. You should place them ~4" above the tank.

If you are looking for a substitue host for a clownfish, there are many. There aren't any that will sting other fish but there are some corals with tentacls that you could keep that a clown would probably host in. Torch Corals, Toadstools, etc.

[charlie]

My two skunk clowns host in my sinularia



That coral started under 4 96w pc's, so yes, softies will be OK, IMO

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by charlie

My two skunk clowns host in my sinularia



That coral started under 4 96w pc's, so yes, softies will be OK, IMO

Wow that's a beautiful tank. That was what I wanted. I want the clowns I am going to get to have a host. i am just hoping to get a male and a female.

i am getting Jebo PC's so that can support softies, zoos and mushrooms without any worrying?

[Reefland]

Yup, you can support those corals with that lighting.

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Yup, you can support those corals with that lighting.

Would their growth be alright?

[Reefland]

Pending the other water parameters. I mean, it takes more than lighting to grow coral. Provided you can provide the stable conditions with necessary conditions, your lighting will support the growth.

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Pending the other water parameters. I mean, it takes more than lighting to grow coral. Provided you can provide the stable conditions with necessary conditions, your lighting will support the growth.

Right now i have no corals in my tank but I am adding these additives.

Calcium Part A
Alk/buffer Part B

and

Reef vital DNA

[charlie]

Originally Posted by cichlidfort

Right now i have no corals in my tank but I am adding these additives.

Calcium Part A
Alk/buffer Part B

and

Reef vital DNA

Are you testing for what you are adding? You may not need to be adding any of that.

[BubbaWPB]

Originally Posted by cichlidfort

and

Reef vital DNA

I've always imagined this stuff and similar products were sort of the "spray can cheese" equivalent to a wholesome meal (because it's all processed stuff). Am I delusional again?

[charlie]

I think I have found that alot of this stuff can be maintained thru regular water changes instead of buying into the hype. There are other products you can use to keep alk and Ph at good levels such as good old baking soda and washing soda.
I have been using these exclusivly on my 300 since Kevin clued me in. Less expensive and just as effective.

[The Grim Reefer]

Originally Posted by cichlidfort

Wow that's a beautiful tank. That was what I wanted. I want the clowns I am going to get to have a host. i am just hoping to get a male and a female.

Torch corals make a pretty good alternative to an anemone for clown hosts and you should have plenty of light for one of those if you keep it up on the rocks a bit.

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

Torch corals make a pretty good alternative to an anemone for clown hosts and you should have plenty of light for one of those if you keep it up on the rocks a bit.

Yes i will be definately getting a torch coral.

Reef Vital DNA does more than baking soda. It helps coraline algae reproduce, maintain efficient calcium levels, helps build the skeleton and much more.

The Calcium Part A and the Alklanity/buffer Part B is a daily dosage for the tank to replenish calcium by keeping it balanced, replace magnesium, keep pH and alk. stable and to replace trace elements. My tank is fairly new so I want to get it going on the right track. But i am not disagree with you guys at all, I would rather just pay the extra money to get a product.

About the clownfish though, I want to get a pair of clownfish that "never" leave each other's side. Is that too hard to find or do you just but one bigger than the other and the smaller of the two will change it's sex to be a pair?

[charlie]

Reef Vital DNA does more than baking soda. It helps coraline algae reproduce, maintain efficient calcium levels, helps build the skeleton and much more.

The Calcium Part A and the Alklanity/buffer Part B is a daily dosage for the tank to replenish calcium by keeping it balanced, replace magnesium, keep pH and alk. stable and to replace trace elements. My tank is fairly new so I want to get it going on the right track. But i am not disagree with you guys at all, I would rather just pay the extra money to get a

Kalkwasser will do the same thing if dripped into the system, IME. Along with regular water changes, you should be able to maintain these levels. If you are only going to have soft corals in your system, NSW levels should be just fine for you.

[cichlidfort]

Originally Posted by charlie

Kalkwasser will do the same thing if dripped into the system, IME. Along with regular water changes, you should be able to maintain these levels. If you are only going to have soft corals in your system, NSW levels should be just fine for you.

So I am taking that soft corals are much easier to maintain than hard?

[BubbaWPB]

Originally Posted by cichlidfort

So I am taking that soft corals are much easier to maintain than hard?

Depends on the soft coral. I've found torches exremely easy to maintain. One of mine was bleached when I got it (I thought it was a white variety). I fed it small bits of chopped sea food, and it did just fine.