Corals

[modelrr]

Would I be able to keep any zoos or mushrooms under only 80w of lighting (my tank is 55g)? if so, which ones would you suggest getting?

what about sponges...how hard are they to keep?

thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

As long as you didnt want them to grow too fast, you MIGHT be able to keep them alive if they are positioned high in the tank. Sponges are actually really hard to keep because they require phytoplankton for feeding and phytoplankton has the nasty side effect of making your water quality really poor. Only with the best filtration and skimming can you keep sponges.

 

[Great Lakes]

For the cost of a couple corals you can upgrade your lighting and make it less of an issue....

If you really have a desire to keep some corals, it would be thing to do first.

GL

 

[modelrr]

yeah I might as well just wait on any mushrooms, etc (until I get better lighting).

 

[hubbard_shark]

is lighting the number one priority, cuz i heard that flow rate within the tank is more important? is this true?

 

[Mr Miagi]

is lighting the number one priority, cuz i heard that flow rate within the tank is more important? is this true?

You couldnt place one "first" because without one or another you wont have happy corals. For effective filtration, you need high flow to have good parameters for coral health. Depending on species, certain corals like certain levels of flow, as to gather food, and to help extend, etc etc. Lighting depends on coral species. You need to know whats what and have a general idea of species that are commonly available.

One isnt "as important" as the other, they are both vital. Depends highly on what your going to keep. Again, research will solve alot of further questions you may have.

 

[SkiFletch]

Agreed, lighting is very important, BUT, corals can die within a few hours if flowrate is stopped but they can survive a few days without light (even clouds happen over reefs ). If you ever, God forbid, have a power outage, the most important function in the tank is flowrate if you want to save corals. Without it, they suffocate and die due to lack of oxygen exchange across their skin.

 

[flamingonhot]

If you want "corals" under lower lighting, Xenia, mushrooms, hardier zoanthids, some sun corals, etc. can usually do quite well. You'll have to stick mainly to softies though.
I have mushrooms under NO flourescent and they've tripled in size since I placed them in the tank and are fully open. Nice coloration, etc. and easy to care for.


Also, some sponges are quite easy to care for. I have some in my seahorse tank that I absolutely hate, and they can survive through anything.