What is needed to keep corals

[badfish]

Well my tank has been up for almost two months now, and i gotta say i think i got a coral bug coming on. I was thinking of starting to get some coral in about six months after i get married. my question is what else do i need, i know lighting for sure. Can i get away with power compacts? If so what would the recommended wattage and number of bulbs be? Do i need a wavemaker? Extra powerheads? Do i need a sump? If i do need a sump can i still use my BakPak 2 skimmer on the main tank and not have one in the sump (since i dont want to buy another skimmer). Anything else i may need. I plan on starting off with the easier corals. See my signature below for what i already have.

TIA

- Jeff

 

[VAguy39]

I am no expert, I have only had my tank about 8 months. I too started with only fish, but after 5 months I am into the reef big time. I have a 26 Gal bow front with the Coral Life power compact lighting with two 65 watt bulbs, and the moon light LED's this lighting is fine for many differnt types of coral, probably all but the most light demanding ones. I have stayed with the easier corals and have had no problems. I have many zoos, yellow, and green star polyps, xenia, and some mushrooms. I also have a bulb tip anemone. All are doing very well in my tank. I am only running a hang on back skimmer, two power heads and a lot of live rock as my filter. Good luck, and you will have a lot of fun with the corals if you go that way....

 

[electrikat]

If you go with pc lighting, you are going to want appx 200 watts or so . You need appx 3 to 5 wpg for most of the easier corals. You are going to want an equal mix of daylight bulbs and actinic blue bulbs. What are your tank dimensions? Maybe I, or someone else, can give you an idea of some brands and types.

 

[badfish]

My tank is a 50 gallon Oceanic tank. The Dimensions are 318X21 (LWH). I was looking at the Orbit Power Compact that has 1-65watt SunPaq Bulb, 1-65Watt Dual Actinic Bulb and 2 Lunar lights. Is this sufficient enough. When you say 200 watts do you add the Sunpaq bulb and the Actinic bulb together = 130 Watts? I didnt see any that would put out 200 watts, can you simply just get higher wattage Bulbs? So you dont need a sump? I plan on keeping easier corals since this is my first tank. What should i expect to spend on PC, Under 200?

TIA

 

[bennerkla]

Check out Odyssea. Great prices.

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10

 

[electrikat]

A sump is not absolutely neccessary. WPG is the total of both the day and blue bulbs but not moonlights. At 3 to 5 wpg you will need 150 to 250 wpg of lighting. 130wpg will not be very good for most corals. Maybe shrooms and polyps but they won't be very happy about it. The one in the post by bennerkla would work.

 

[badfish]

WOW, that is a good price. I think i am gonna get that one. Yeah i figure i might as well go right the first time, it will be cheaper in the long run. is this usually the price they have on this website? or do you think i can wait a little while.

 

[badfish]

darn, they dont have 30" strips.

 

[Morticus]

Check out www.ahsupply.com .

 

[badfish]

those are good prices also, but no 30" stips.