2 tanks into 1 help

[sw-addict]

New day new question I have a 120g tank that has been set up for over a year, in january I started builing a reef out of it that was for mushrooms and ricordia mainly so I have only been running 260w of pc current inhabitants are red mushrooms, hairy mushrooms, orange ricodia plus 7 others that are unidentifies as yet, green carpet, a bta that I finaly caught flowerpot coral(G), brown scopas and yellow tangs, 3 firefish, canary blenny, yellow watchman goby, 2 mandarins, cleaner shrimp and goby, pepermint shrimp and a few snails and blue leg hermits. Wow thats alot now that I typed it all out. Anyway I purchased a 20g that has been set up for a few years and its inhabitants are 3 huge colt corals, alot of huge bright red mushrooms(that is why I was looking at it),some yellow star polyps, open brain coral, true percula clown, firefish, a lue damsel that I won't keep and various snails. We puchased all this plus 25# of fiji and tonga branch lr at a great price. Now my question is all of this was under 175w halide that I will put in our hood if I take a pic with a tape measurer on the tank and place the corals from the other tank the same distance from the light in our tank and keep our corals away from the halide will everything be o.k. or is there something better that I can do in a situation like this? One more thing I have not read up on the open brain coral because I never thought that I would have/want one so any info or articles would also be appreciated. I suppose I have to go to the lfs to sell my bubble tip back and a pink pincusion thats stripping my rock you think anything else nees to go?

 

[sumphead]

WOW, where to begin? First of all with the fish. If your yellow tang is dominant in your tank now it probably won't like the new inhabitants. I suppose with a 120 your current firefish would be ok without aggression issues, but generally (not a rule) firefish are solitary and don't get along well with others of the same species. Mostly I think this will be a watch and see thing. The damsel isn't neccissarily bad. I think they kind of get a bum rap. Much like tangs, if added last or young they adapt well and aren't too agressive. So, If you like the color/looks then keep it. I think by most standards you are overstocked, but with dilligent maintenance I don't forsee any problems. As far as the coral goes it will just be a big change in going from over 8 WPG halide to under 4 WPG. But the WPG rule isn't always great either. This too will be a watch and see thing. Everything you have listed with the exception of the anemones can do quite well under PC lighting even the Brain. I would keep the Brain as centered under the halide as much as possible. Whatcha for sign of deterioration or lack of extension. If it shows then consider a lighting upgrade or moving them out. But for most softies and shrooms your lighting is quite adequate. The 175 will add that MH shimmer. As preference though I would go with at the very least 2-250W halides and PC or VHO/T5 actinic, preferably 400s. There is only anecdotal evedence that actinic lighting is more than asthetic. You current corals should welcome the new light without any problems though. Again, just wacth and see. Good luck and keep us posted.
R-

 

[mhaynes01]

wow thats amazing such a big tank i wish i could get one of those