Low Light Corals

[jrnannery]

What are some Non-SPS corals that would do well under T5 lighting in a FOWLR? A friend of mine has two T5 fixtures, each with two lamps. Currently, he is running three of the bluer actinics, and one white. This is the color combo he likes, so he is not likely to change it. Rockwork, as of now, goes about to the middle of a standard 55 gallon, and the fixtures sit on the tank with the standard legs. Maybe you can figure out how far away from the rock that light is, and recommend some types of corals that will do well with that light scheme.

[CoryDude]

I have a 2 foot deep 60 gallon with 4 X 24w t5's, and I can keep just about any lps coral I want. Open brains, pagoda cups, lobophyllia, and even softies like xenia, kenya trees, and even bubble tips. You'd be surprised at what you can support with that light setup. Really, just about anything except for most sps and most clams. If you really want a clam, a deresa would be a good choice for t5's. Just stay away from maximas and croceas.

[reefreak]

believe it or not i have a 2 bulb T5 LOW OUTPUT FIXTURE and a 65 watt pc light and i have sps and some zoas all opened up

[jrnannery]

B elieve me, I understand the potential of flourescent lighting. My cube has four 36w PCs, and I grow all colors of acros, and pretty much anything else, no sweat. It is the color combo that troubled me most. Cory, with three actinics, do your recommendations still stand?

[reefreak]

i am runnning a 5050 and a 10k and a actinic

[CoryDude]

Might be better with a 50/50 combo. Right now I'm running four ATI's
1 x blue plus
1 x true actinic
2 x aquablue special

He needs to be careful with corals in a fowler. If he really likes the blue side of things, have him look into the ati blue plus. It's like an actinic, but with better par values. That being said, I think pogoda cups, open brains, and most euphyllias would work. Mushrooms, kenya trees, xenia, yellow polyps, etc should work also. Just stay away from the clams, leather corals, and pretty much all sps with his current light setup.

[jrnannery]

Yeah, Cory. I was leaning toward zoas and mushrooms, although I hadn't even considered euphyllias or brains. That might look pretty awesome in his tank. He is NOT going to change lighting, so that is not even a topic worth discussing. What about candy canes? Possible? I want to hook him up with some relatively slow growers. I don't think he wants to experience 'Texas Trash Syndrome.'

[FireWater]

I could see candy canes being able to live under that lighting. The actinics will limit some usable light of the spectrum though. If it is a buddy of yours then help him pick stuff that you like so if by chance it does not do well in his tank then you might be able to house them until he changes lights or is able to upgrade.

[jrnannery]

John, thanks for responding. Actually, it kind of works the opposite of what you said as well...I intend to give him a few of my zoa polyps, perhaps a small bit of a frogspawn I have, and some teal candy canes that I got from allan, whose tank seems to excel at growing large, beautiful canes...a ball I bought from him had to have over 50 heads, and it was one of a pair that he sold. Awesome looking coral.

I'm hoping that he will become interested in corals for his tank, and then as you say, he can get some corals that we both like. Sharing leads to homogenization, but having a friend to give you backups for free if you suffer a tragedy is in the best interests of this hobby.

[FireWater]

Understandable, I was not aware that the corals were coming from your tank. My idea was mute then.

I don't see why the corals you have mentioned would not survive in the tank. As for thriving, I cannot say one way or another. Lighting is a significant value, but so are many other things such as water quality. I say try it.

I know you said he likes the color combo of the actinics, but you might try to talk him to at least one more blue+. It would give a little more par and not be too drastic of an increase in white.

[kkiel02]

If its a fowlr just make sure the fish won't eat the LPS. :)

[allan]

I don't have a lot of experience with fish eating coral... although I certainly have had some idiot fish nip at them.

Richard, I believe that you can clip off a small section of that trumpet and put it in his tank. I've never had anything nip at the trumpets, although it's feasible that some may. If it's happy the coral will expand and look puffy. You will be able to see it quivering in the current. Color should be a very light colored bluish bordering on transparancy. At night the tentacles should be out and eating readily.

He can try some yellow polyps as well. They tend to grow well and in some austere conditions. My bubble tip doesn't even mess with them. I can pry up a few polyps for you if he's willing to try.