Coral Lighting Recommendations.

iieniku · 03/22/2011, 01:08 PM

So I have been looking into getting into soft corals lately, fortunately I know from stories and common sense that a coral, soft or hard, is no easy task. I understand the feeding, placement, and most of the technological requirements except for lighting and a protein skimmer. I don't use a protein skimmer in my current tank, and really don't plan to, I run two filters and that more than does the trick with the API Stress-Zyme I've used. So what lighting do the more experienced coral caretakers here recommend, something moderately priced but efficient and reliable. Also, protein skimmers and corals? Recommended? It will be going in a 200 gallon as soon as I can establish one.

pmrossetti · 03/22/2011, 01:16 PM

What are the tank dimensions?
I don't understand. Will you be using a protein skimmer or not?
What 2 filters are you running?

jeff@zina.com · 03/22/2011, 02:20 PM

The type of lighting you need depends on the coral's light requirements and the depth in the water the coral is located at. Metal Halide, T5 and LED lighting are all options for a 200 gallon tank, though with that size (depth) tank you'll want Metal Halide and T5 in most cases.

There's no "cheap" lighting unless you put the tank outside in sunlight, but you can save money by buying used. In lighting, you get what you pay for. Buying cheap will always get you burned.

Jeff

iieniku · 03/22/2011, 06:33 PM

Of course it depends on depth of tank and the kind of coral but is there a general product line you both would recommend? As for the filter, two MarineLand filters are running, and I'm asking if I should run a protein skimmer for the coral.

EdMan71 · 03/22/2011, 08:56 PM

I would run a protein skimmer. I would suggest MH lighting, so you can put any coral in tank. Besides, everyone always upgrades in time, so should skipp having to upgrade.
Good Luck!

03/22/2011, 01:08 PM	#1
iieniku Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 8	Coral Lighting Recommendations. So I have been looking into getting into soft corals lately, fortunately I know from stories and common sense that a coral, soft or hard, is no easy task. I understand the feeding, placement, and most of the technological requirements except for lighting and a protein skimmer. I don't use a protein skimmer in my current tank, and really don't plan to, I run two filters and that more than does the trick with the API Stress-Zyme I've used. So what lighting do the more experienced coral caretakers here recommend, something moderately priced but efficient and reliable. Also, protein skimmers and corals? Recommended? It will be going in a 200 gallon as soon as I can establish one.

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03/22/2011, 01:16 PM	#2
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	What are the tank dimensions? I don't understand. Will you be using a protein skimmer or not? What 2 filters are you running?

03/22/2011, 02:20 PM	#3
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	The type of lighting you need depends on the coral's light requirements and the depth in the water the coral is located at. Metal Halide, T5 and LED lighting are all options for a 200 gallon tank, though with that size (depth) tank you'll want Metal Halide and T5 in most cases. There's no "cheap" lighting unless you put the tank outside in sunlight, but you can save money by buying used. In lighting, you get what you pay for. Buying cheap will always get you burned. Jeff

03/22/2011, 06:33 PM	#4
iieniku Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 8	Of course it depends on depth of tank and the kind of coral but is there a general product line you both would recommend? As for the filter, two MarineLand filters are running, and I'm asking if I should run a protein skimmer for the coral.

03/22/2011, 08:56 PM	#5
EdMan71 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 117	I would run a protein skimmer. I would suggest MH lighting, so you can put any coral in tank. Besides, everyone always upgrades in time, so should skipp having to upgrade. Good Luck!