I believe the coralife T5 is not a highoutput T5 you will probly encounter trouble with many corals besides maybe mushrooms and the such.

I was informed by my supplier that it would be sufficient? My plan was just to have some soft corals and anenome..no hard corals.
Now I have to buy more equipment.
Thanks for reply
Jim

That definitely doesn't look like Ricordia to me! It looks sort of like a Green Open Brain Choral (Trachyphyllia Geoffroyi), but sort of not! Sorry, I know not much help :mrgreen:

There is probably no way an anemone will live under those lights. Anemones need fairly high lighting. Some soft corals might be ok but there growth will be slow.


But that does look like a green ricoridia, its just closed partily.

Thanks again for reply. Does adding another light strip suffice? or will I have to invest in Halide? I am on a pension so money is crucial and my wife isn't to happy with all the add-ons.
Jim

Yes, anemones are high light. Under lower light conditions, they often keep moving around the tank, looking for a better spot. While they move, they are stinging your corals. MH are best for anemones. I've kept LTAs & BTAs under 96w PC, but I noticed how much happier they were after I upgraded the lighting.

Anthony

Thanks for the reply Anthony,
Do you live in Vancouver area?
I have been pricing Halide systems and they want a fortune for them!I was thinking about DIY system but am unfamiliar with Halide ballasts and bulbs. I read a DIY on a forum(?) about buying a cheap halogen system with DE bulbs and attaching a Halide ballast and purchasing a DE halide bulb. But can't find a retailer for ballast, do you know any?
Jim

if you are not wanting to keep sps or high light corals you do not need halides. where abouts do you live? your skimmer should get quieter once it slimes over but it will take about a month or so. its only my opinion but i dont think your light is strong enough for ricordias and what not i would invest in high output t5s or with power compacts or something.

Hi Colin,
I live in Surrey/Newton area by Newton WavePool. I just wanted to add something to decorate the live rock more, since I haven't got a big tank, to add a little more life and color.
I have been contemplating building a DIY for 175W Halide but am not familiar with Halide ballast..there was a DIY done using old Hologen lamps and just changing out the bulb for Halide DE bulb and installing Halide Ballist, but I can't find a Halide ballast in Surrey area that is reasonable.
Jim

private message sent to you also

175w would be really good, more than enough light for anything.