low light

[meat]

hello everyone-
i read somewhere that there are coral that dont need a lot of light. i think it was soft coral. someone in another forum was keeping coral under these-http://www.catfishlighting.com/Images/48unidone.jpg. it comes with 2 65 watt lights. which type of coral could be kept under these and if its soft coral-which type.....am i crazy .....
thanks

[Reefland]

You could keep mushroom corals, zoanthids, leather corals, xenia, etc.

[meat]

Untitled Document<<<<<<<which bulbs do i choose for the 48" Power Compact Uni-Strip 130 Watts .........?

[returnofsid]

Does that fixture allow 2X65Watt bulbs? If so, I'd get a 10K and a Blue Actinic. You would be able to keep just about any soft coral under those lights and even some LPS. Now there is a coral that isn't at all light demanding. Tubastrea sp. If this is the coral you were first mentioning, keep in mind that it doesn't need light because it has no Xoanthelia in it's system. Because of this, it does demand a lot of feeding. Not only that, you have to feed each polyp or that particular polyp will starve. Other than that, they're a great coral and very beautiful.

[meat]

Does that fixture allow 2X65Watt bulbs? If so, I'd get a 10K and a Blue Actinic. You would be able to keep just about any soft coral under those lights and even some LPS. Now there is a coral that isn't at all light demanding. Tubastrea sp. If this is the coral you were first mentioning, keep in mind that it doesn't need light because it has no Xoanthelia in it's system. Because of this, it does demand a lot of feeding. Not only that, you have to feed each polyp or that particular polyp will starve. Other than that, they're a great coral and very beautiful.

thank you.
what is the common name for Tubastrea sp and are there other coral that are like that - that could be sold in pet stores?
thanks for all the help

[Reefland]

Sun Polyps. But remember, that this coral is not for a hobbyist not willing to devote the time to individual polyp feedings.

[meat]

k i didnt see those bulbs. how long would i have to keep the lights on for

[meat]

are zoanthids and sun polyps the same? kinda look similar.

[Reefland]

No, they are very different.
Tubastrea sp. - Dendrophylliidae
Zoanthids - Zoanthids

[returnofsid]

Zoanthids and Sun Polyps are not the same. Sun Polyps are actually an LPS that is somewhat specialized. They do require a lot of feeding. They also require moderate to high flow. Some say they also need low light but they are usually happy in any lighting situation.

When you say you didn't see those bulbs, what are you referring to? What type of fixture are you getting and what type of bulbs does it take? How many hours of light isn't all that critical with soft corals, as long as they're getting 8 hours or more. When you move up to LPS or SPS, they'll need longer lighting periods.

[meat]

Untitled Document
^^^this link-----------------the bulbs that go with the 48" Power Compact Uni-Strip 130 Watts .
it says-choose bulb type. i get to pick two. which ones do i get?
thanks

[meat]

hello

[weez1959]

I guess you'd be ok with one 12k and one actinic if you want to use a timer and have them turn on at different times or if not you could get 2 50/50s. It depends on if the fixture has 2 plugs, one for each light otherwise if they're on the same switch it won't make a difference.
Does that make sense?

[returnofsid]

Those fixtures are junk. Basically they're a "throw away" unit. The ballast will last about as long as the bulbs and then they're trash. You'll need to replace the entire fixture after about 8 months. You'd be much better off getting a good fixture. Corallife and Current USA both make excellent fixtures that are very inexpensive. Going with a mix of 10K and blue actinics will give you better lighting.

[meat]

Those fixtures are junk. Basically they're a "throw away" unit. The ballast will last about as long as the bulbs and then they're trash. You'll need to replace the entire fixture after about 8 months. You'd be much better off getting a good fixture. Corallife and Current USA both make excellent fixtures that are very inexpensive. Going with a mix of 10K and blue actinics will give you better lighting.

thank you i didnt know that

[weez1959]

I was going to mention that but I know you're trying to keep things inexpensive so I didn't. here's your best bet for the buck:
Coralife 48 Inch Aqualight W/ 4-65W Straight Pin Base And 4-3/4W Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED Lamps - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store
it will give you twice the wattage and moonlights to boot!

[meat]

yea, but i dont need all that wattage to keep soft coral

[weez1959]

I don't think you can get less wattage with the better companies. Personally I don't think less wattage would be good but I could be wrong.

[Reefland]

Right, you don't need 500 watts of metal halide for soft corals to thrive, but the additional light intensity would be beneficial....or should I say, it wouldn't hurt them either.

[returnofsid]

In the end, it's your choice...you can go with the less quality, and I might add, NON UL listed fixtures. In the end, it'll also end up costing you more since you'll be replacing the fixture AND bulbs in less than a year. Or, if you don't change the fixture and just change the bulbs, the ballasts won't support the new bulbs and you'll be burning through bulbs quicker AND putting out a different light phase that won't be healthy for any coral and will promote algae like crazy.