Is a 17W T8 light sufficient for NPS coral?

JingoFresh · 07/16/2014, 06:47 AM

My tank came with a free light fixture with a 17w T8 bulb.

I just bought a green ricordea coral that is non photo synthetic.

Is my current light enough to sustain it along with feeding? If not, what is the minimum light it would need?

Upstate GTI · 07/16/2014, 07:55 AM

Somebody will come along that is more familiar with ricordea and correct me but ricordea ARE Photosynthetic as far as I know. In that case a single T8 probably won't do it. Your light source probably won't be balanced enough in spectrum and may even be a bit low on PAR even though they don't require much light as a rule. I'd think you might want to look into a small t5 fixture. You might be able to find one on craigslist or your local reef club forums for cheap as people tend to upgrade these as they become addicted to corals.

MondoBongo · 07/16/2014, 08:39 AM

Ricordea are photosynthetic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricordea_florida

JingoFresh · 07/16/2014, 10:35 AM

OK, what is the minimum wattage needed in this case?

Might move the coral to my sump in the meantime, since I have a much stronger light in there for the algae.

thegrun · 07/16/2014, 10:38 AM

What type of light do you plan on adding, wattage is different for T-5, Compact Floresent, Metal Halide or LEDs?

JingoFresh · 07/17/2014, 02:18 PM

I'm not sure....I want the minimum light possible to keep a ricordea and gorgonian..what would you recommend?

Ideally, looking for one I can program to have it switch to red automatically, but I don't k now if that exists.

maddmaxx · 07/17/2014, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JingoFresh

I'm not sure....I want the minimum light possible to keep a ricordea and gorgonian..what would you recommend?

Ideally, looking for one I can program to have it switch to red automatically, but I don't k now if that exists.

ricordea is a coral that needs light to live. so i would say at minimal. depending on your tank stats. a 2 bulb T5 would be as minimal as you could go...but question. why do you want your lights to switch to red?

07/16/2014, 06:47 AM	#1
JingoFresh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 447	Is a 17W T8 light sufficient for NPS coral? My tank came with a free light fixture with a 17w T8 bulb. I just bought a green ricordea coral that is non photo synthetic. Is my current light enough to sustain it along with feeding? If not, what is the minimum light it would need?

07/16/2014, 08:39 AM	#3
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	Ricordea are photosynthetic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricordea_florida __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

07/16/2014, 07:55 AM	#2
Upstate GTI Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NC Posts: 69	Somebody will come along that is more familiar with ricordea and correct me but ricordea ARE Photosynthetic as far as I know. In that case a single T8 probably won't do it. Your light source probably won't be balanced enough in spectrum and may even be a bit low on PAR even though they don't require much light as a rule. I'd think you might want to look into a small t5 fixture. You might be able to find one on craigslist or your local reef club forums for cheap as people tend to upgrade these as they become addicted to corals.

07/16/2014, 10:35 AM	#4
JingoFresh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 447	OK, what is the minimum wattage needed in this case? Might move the coral to my sump in the meantime, since I have a much stronger light in there for the algae.

07/16/2014, 10:38 AM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	What type of light do you plan on adding, wattage is different for T-5, Compact Floresent, Metal Halide or LEDs?

07/17/2014, 02:18 PM	#6
JingoFresh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 447	I'm not sure....I want the minimum light possible to keep a ricordea and gorgonian..what would you recommend? Ideally, looking for one I can program to have it switch to red automatically, but I don't k now if that exists.