[Drennon]

I am just wondering how long everyone leaves there lights on for I have a 55g with 260w pc how long should i leave my light on for just live rock and some mushrooms and fish in the tank.

[art_of_war]

Originally Posted by Drennon

I am just wondering how long everyone leaves there lights on for I have a 55g with 260w pc how long should i leave my light on for just live rock and some mushrooms and fish in the tank.

You got one of those Coralife lights, huh? I had one of those a while back for my 55. If you're just talking about some shrooms, you could use just about anything. Doesn't even have to be a PC setup. Especially since those lights will just cause algae growth.

[Drennon]

Good to know about two weeks ago before i bought it at least i only paid 180 and not full price. So this light isn't any good and would this algae growth that would be the purpleish colored stuff growing on everything. I am going to get some corals after i buy a skimmer will this light work for some softs and leathers

[art_of_war]

Originally Posted by Drennon

Good to know about two weeks ago before i bought it at least i only paid 180 and not full price. So this light isn't any good and would this algae growth that would be the purpleish colored stuff growing on everything. I am going to get some corals after i buy a skimmer will this light work for some softs and leathers

???? I'm not sure who I'm talkin' to but yeah. You can. softs and leathers and the kind that pop up here and there.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by art_of_war

You got one of those Coralife lights, huh? I had one of those a while back for my 55. If you're just talking about some shrooms, you could use just about anything. Doesn't even have to be a PC setup. Especially since those lights will just cause algae growth.

Originally Posted by Drennon

Good to know about two weeks ago before i bought it at least i only paid 180 and not full price. So this light isn't any good and would this algae growth that would be the purpleish colored stuff growing on everything. I am going to get some corals after i buy a skimmer will this light work for some softs and leathers

It is my feeling that lights do not cause algae growth, bad housekeeping causes algae, the lights only fuel that. If you practice good reefkeeping habits and do your research you should be fine. I ran PC's over my 80 gallon and soft corals did real well. The purple "stuff that you see growing on everything is probably coralline algae, which is good. It means that you water parameters are good, your calcium levels are good and your alkalinity is probably in line also. How long has your tank been setup?

[Drennon]

for about 5 months now lots of live sand and about 50-55 lbs of live rock

[charlie]

It really sounds like things are doing well for you. Is the "purple" algae the only algae you have? Just wondering???? What kind of lights did you have before you bought this new fixture?

[charlie]

Have you got any pics of your tank and equipment?

[Drennon]

There is some green alge but i think i need to limit my lighting and get another cleaning crew by the way would anyone know what could be happening to my hermit crabs I had 10 and now I have five and five empty shells

[Drennon]

Heres some more pictures

[charlie]

That looks really good!!!! Is it possible one of your fish thinks it is at Red Lobster and is having a crab fest? I didn't see anything in there that would, but you never know.
Do you use RO/DI water for your tank?

[Drennon]

I add RO when I top off which is now more often since i added the light I also have a brittle starfish and I have seen a really hair worm in there but he crawled out of some live rock. how long should i leave that light on for?

[charlie]

The worm is probably a bristle worm, without a pic it is hard to tell, and I am no expert on worms!!!!
I have my halides run around 8 hours per day with the actinic lites coming on 2 hours before and staying on 2 hours after.

[Drennon]

I dont see it very often

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Drennon

how long should i leave that light on for?

Notice that Charlie's lights are on for a total of 12 hrs/day. I think 12 hrs/day would be a good idea for your lights, too.

[Drennon]

Thanks for the help

[Live Rock Ricky]

is there really any need for his mechanical filtration system?

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Live Rock Ricky

is there really any need for his mechanical filtration system?

A protein skimmer would have been a better choice, if that's what you mean? He will also need to do something about his sailfin tang before too long because a 55-gal tank won't work for one of those. They need a 180-gal tank at the very least. Those are all things new hobbyists learn as they go along by reading the various reefkeeping bulletin boards.

[Drennon]

Im getting ready to do a new tank I am looking to go to a 125g drilled

[Live Rock Ricky]

Originally Posted by Ninong

A protein skimmer would have been a better choice, if that's what you mean? He will also need to do something about his sailfin tang before too long because a 55-gal tank won't work for one of those. They need a 180-gal tank at the very least. Those are all things new hobbyists learn as they go along by reading the various reefkeeping bulletin boards.

and that's why i'm getting rid of my blue hippo tang possibly today. way too big for a 55g. i've had the tank now for 50 months... time for him to go. plus he's too expensive to feed. lol