Low Light Corals?

[smokinjoe2122]

This may seem like a stupid question, but I have yet to get into any reef tanks - I recently set up a 10 gallon tank for my reef lobster, and it came with 20 watt fluorescent lighting. Are there any low light mushrooms or corals that can live with only 2 watts per gallon? If not, are there any cheaper alternatives with upgrading the lights without spending $100+ on a new fixture? I dont want to stick a lot of money in this tank, since it's only going to house the lobster, cuc, and possibly a feather duster, but I would like to try my hand at some reefing... someday...

 

[seffieuk]

Most mushies are not that bothered about light, give it a try

Seffie x

 

[Buddyboy67]

Will suit ricordea and zoas as well..quiet a few softies would do fine

Just noticed the lobster !!!

Try small frags first...incase he sees them as a little treat for him to nible,lol....

 

[smokinjoe2122]

I didnt think I had that many options... Any specific species of Mushrooms or is that a generalization? Also, can anyone recommend a book, or better yet, website that will give me some "how-to" on caring for soft corals? It will probably stop me from making a million posts on here! haha Thanks guys

 

[Buddyboy67]

Try here mate, check the menu on the laeft hand side for other species...

http/www.thesea.org/ricordia/

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Ok....So I added 2 small Mushroom (Blue spotted?) frags to my tank last week. The big one has yet to open and I'm starting to wonder if my lighting is too weak or possibly to strong. The small one is in a small crack and has appeared to open, but is so small I can't tell. Can anyone take a look at these pictures and let me know what you think? I have just done a Ammonia test = 0 Nitrite test 0 and Nitrate test 5 so my water seems good. It's a 10 gallon tank, one powerhead (not directly point at the shrooms) and HOB filter.. 10 lbs of live rock or so...5 small hermits...and the reef lobster. I'm trying to keep a low bioload.. Thanks!

P.S. I apologize ahead of the time for the picture, this camera is on it's last leg and it's the best I can do..

http/img39.imageshack.us/img39/2959/dscf1025i.jpg

http/img24.imageshack.us/img24/4440/dscf1035g.jpg

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Jo

Is there any chance you could get yourself a free photbucket account - we could then see your pictures on the the thread - they are a bit big and difficult to see?

Can you also remind me about your lights please?

Seffie x

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Hi Jo

Is there any chance you could get yourself a free photbucket account - we could then see your pictures on the the thread - they are a bit big and difficult to see?

Can you also remind me about your lights please?

Seffie x

Yeah I will try to create a photobucket account when I get home and upload the pictures to there.. Also it is just a 19 fluroscent, 20" on a 10 gal. tank. So, close to 2 watts/gallon

 

[three-fingers]

What are phosphates at and what flowrate do you have in the tank? Also, how evenly distributed is this flowrate (one hob with 2000lph is significantly worse than two 1000lph circulation pumps).

They can take a while to adapt if they were kept in vastly different conditions before (with regards to lighting/flowrate), but by a week they should have been looking better by now. Move them as close to the light as you can and in a decent flow (but nothing that blasts them). If they perk up, give them a little feed of a brine shrimp or two (but distract the lobster).

Have you noticed if the lobster is crawlingover them at night at all?

 

[smokinjoe2122]

What are phosphates at and what flowrate do you have in the tank? Also, how evenly distributed is this flowrate (one hob with 2000lph is significantly worse than two 1000lph circulation pumps).

They can take a while to adapt if they were kept in vastly different conditions before (with regards to lighting/flowrate), but by a week they should have been looking better by now. Move them as close to the light as you can and in a decent flow (but nothing that blasts them). If they perk up, give them a little feed of a brine shrimp or two (but distract the lobster).

Have you noticed if the lobster is crawlingover them at night at all?

I can test the phosphates when I get home. Flowrate is the hob filter (I believe its an Aqueon 10 but, not exactly sure) and a Hydor-Hydea-K10. So I believe I have a good flowrate without figuring out the turnover rate. I have the powerhead directed to the side of the mushroom, not directly at it... So it is getting some good flow, just not directly blowing it around.. I have had the mushroom sitting on the highest peak of the live rock I can. There are 5 hermits that may crawl on it. The reef lobster doesn't really go on the live rock... Also, how do you feed a mushroom? I have brine and mysis, but how in the world do you feed them?

 

[three-fingers]

What type of hermits?

A 10gal with 5 hermits and a reef lobster...that's a lot of sharp feet that can crawl over the mushroom in a pretty small space, especially with only two mushrooms, as the crabs do like to investigate different things in search of food.

Turn the flow of and just place a bit of food on or near the centre of the disc. Be careful the crabs/lobster doesnt steal the food.

 

[SkiFletch]

A single 18watt T8 flourescent over a 10g tank? Gotta at least double that to even get into what most would consider "low light". Right now what you have is a "reading light"

 

[smokinjoe2122]

A single 18watt T8 flourescent over a 10g tank? Gotta at least double that to even get into what most would consider "low light". Right now what you have is a "reading light"

Argh.....Yah it's a 20" 19 watt Flourescent... Any sugguestions on what I can do without spending A LOT of money on new lights?? I really never inteded to do a whole reef setup on this tank, it was more of trying to train myself with some low light corals, so what would some of you sugguest as far as a setup? Any good products, links, ect... The hermit crabs are 3 red legged and 2 halloween...

 

[SkiFletch]

Sure about that 19 watt rating? If you take the tube out of the fixture, my money says you'll find the following marking near one of the sides: "F18T8" which indicates 18watt T8 lamp. I've never heard of a 19 watt lamp .

Anyway, I'd just buy another T8 light strip and put that over the tank if you want low light corals. Should be enough in a very shallow 10g tank. Just make sure you get some marine spectrum lamps to avoid nuisance algae.

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Sure about that 19 watt rating? If you take the tube out of the fixture, my money says you'll find the following marking near one of the sides: "F18T8" which indicates 18watt T8 lamp. I've never heard of a 19 watt lamp .

Anyway, I'd just buy another T8 light strip and put that over the tank if you want low light corals. Should be enough in a very shallow 10g tank. Just make sure you get some marine spectrum lamps to avoid nuisance algae.

lol..... I dont even want to tell you what they say.... Not good... The fixture itself says 19 watts on it... Another lesson learned... The issue with adding another light is...There isn't any room...Nor does the current fixture run all the way to the edges....It's sitting on the plastic cover it came on... So, would I need a glass cover now?? I dont even know if then, there will be enough room...