Looking for advice on lighting for a fairly new Marin Tank Setup

[jamesgjatkin]

Hi all,

I have a Trigon 350 Tank hosting loads of Live Rock.
It currently has a few Chromis and a Convict Blenny, along with some snails and red leg hermits. I also have some 'beginner' corals in there (Tree Coral, Bush Coral and some small Mushrooms).

I got the tank second hand and it is fitted with the following lighting:
- 24W T5 Blue (55cm)
- 24W T5 Marine White (55cm)
- 30W Marine Blue 420 Actinic (100cm)
- 30W Day Lite (Juwel) (100cm)

I am not convinced that this lighing is sufficient for good coral health and would like some opinions from those in the know

I am thinking of firstly changing the 100cm tubes to 45W High-Lite Blue + 45W High-Lite Marine White.

Do you think this is worth doing (I don't feel ready just yet to move to MH!)

Thanks for any advice you can offer me.

Best regards,

James

 

[stopsharkfinning]

what coral are you hoping to keep in the future, and how deep is your tank? what is tank dimensions?

 

[jamesgjatkin]

Hi,
To be honest I am not sure what specific corals I will be looking at in the future. I think the next addition will be a Green Hammer Coral (I understand that these are easier to keep than Bubble-Tip anemone!!). Probably some leather corals as time goes on...
The Trigon 350 is a corner tank. It's dimensions are 123x87x65 (65cm Deep)
Thanks,
James

 

[bcfd144]

Hammer coral does well in a good est tank, but i would not start off with a hammer coral. Its better to find hardier corals first adn see how they do.
Dont get in nay hurry when adding coral.
I myself would go with T5 lighting or Halide. If you plan to keep coral, and keep it healthy, one thing not to skimp on is the lighting.
Since your tank is about 26" deep, the lighting you have is ok. I would if it was me just put 39W bulbs in.
My 65 gallon (26" deep) has 4 39w bulbs on it.
two white, two actinic bulbs.. and my tank and corals do great..

 

[stopsharkfinning]

stick with some of you less light dependent corals and t5 will be good, morphs are great beginers and have great colours, anemones would need min 250 watt halides for a tank that depth

 

[jamesgjatkin]

Ok, I think I am convinced. I am now planning to replace the current lighting units with a Halide Unit (250W) with 2xTubes for support.
It really sounds like if I want to go down the route I am looking at, there really isn't any alternatives!
Thanks a lot for all your advice...
Actually, one quick question; what is a 'morph'? I have not heard that term before?

 

[Otherone]

Not sure what morph coral is either - guessing it's softies that divide like Kenya Trees, Colts, Ricordea, Zoathids, Mushrooms, etc..

But then again it could be corals that change color due to different locations within the tank like open brains and frogspawn.