Fluval 105 or 205

[User]

Still gotta buy lr and ls.. hmm probably no larger than 200 for lights if possible. If not itll cut into my coral fund. Total budget around 600-700 dollars

I am also using distilled water due to no ro di units near me

 

[carey]

You should be fine. lemme do some net pricing and I'll post some links for you.

 

[User]

You should be fine. lemme do some net pricing and I'll post some links for you.

Ok thanks! You are the best!!!! distilled is good?

 

[carey]

This is pretty much top of the line

Aquarium Lighting for Reef Systems: Current Nova Extreme Pro Saltwater T-5 Fixtures

You could prob grow calms in there with that light LOL

But then theres these

Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light Fixtures

Good lights can grow most anything you want basically
Has lunar lights and a built in timer

Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light Fixtures

Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO Dual Lamp Light Fixtures

Now these lights owuld let you grow all the easy stuff and they are attachable so you can add one on at a later date

Just some examples.. Hope it helps

 

[User]

How did you find that so fast...?

I really like the second one cause of the lunar leds. They come on at night? Can all lights be turned off as well?

 

[carey]

Yep, those are moonlights. I dont really ahve them on any of my tanks but the cube and its ones arent good at all. lol But I always wanted them but my fixtures dont ever have them. I have the 12 bulb nova extreme pro and its top of the line, but no darn moonlights hehe
LOL

 

[carey]

Theres a timer built in too I believe. You can have them all on, just the blues,just the whites or just the moonlights.

 

[User]

The timer is going to be so convenient! So this will do well for most of the easier/medium corals? What light level is that, high/medium/low? I only know basic lights for my planted tank.

You should buy an led strip! Thats what the reiew for the first one said lol

 

[carey]

Led's are kinda cool but they vary soo much in price, quality and so many other factors i wouldnt jump in on them just yet. Liek the marineland reef ready light. Its a nice color and looks awesome isnt too mcuh money but it's not a good example of leds. :-(

The lights that I linked are quad and double T5 fixtures. So 2 whites bulbs 2 actinic (blue) bulbs and themoonlights

 

[User]

Is it impossbile to grow coral with just leds?

Aquarium Lighting T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture: AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light Fixtures

That is most likely the one I am going to buy. It will be worth it right? Lol I hope the corals I get will be happy!

 

[carey]

In my opinion thats a great choice. The lights really do make the tank and you want something reasonable. That's probably the biggest expense you'll come across.

 

[User]

In my opinion thats a great choice. The lights really do make the tank and you want something reasonable. That's probably the biggest expense you'll come across.

Lol reasonable ha I am expecting a lot! cost 25 times my tank! You will definately hear from me again when more definate coral choices come along!

Is there a small clam I could sneak in the tank? One that doesnt get 16" long?

 

[carey]

I bet you could get one of the deresa clams with that light in that tank. I wouldnt try maxima clams though. But yep, you could get most corals that you'd want and see good growth too.

 

[User]

Ok I will definately keep that in mind! thanks so much for your help carey!!!!!
Now to research my corals without breaking budget..

 

[carey]

You can do it. In that size tank you don't need monster corals, a nice rock with mushrooms would be cool, some candycanes, I love those and flowy coral like torches hammers and frogspawns.

Check out Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums for some ideas.

 

[User]

Should I buy them as frags or as full pieces? How do you attach them to the lr?

 

[carey]

i just sit the little plugs on the rock since i like to move my stuff all the time. but you can glue them if you want. You can buy larger corals as well, it's up to you.

 

[User]

Do the larger corals grow larger? Frags take time to grow into larger corals I am assuming. Sorry about all these amatuer questions!

 

[carey]

It;s fine, it's what the forum is for. You'll find that out sooner than later.

some corals like zooa's grow can take over a the plug they are on and then onto the rock tanking that over in just a few months. I have amny corals that I had as frags that have grown ALOT. Duncan corals grow pretty quick for me, mushrooms spread alot, Frogspawns split and multiply pretty good too, all from a tiny $10 frag sometimes.

 

[User]

That may be the best way to go for me then since I am very not smart when it comes to the sw aspect.

How do you feed them? I read something about zooplankton and they are carnivores?

I am so glad you are patient with me! I know its probably annoying!