What corals can I keep with a Aqualight Pro?

[Marnie]

I keep getting conflicting answers on what corals I can keep with a 48'Coralife Aqualight Pro light (Two 150 watt 10,000K HQI, double-ended, metal halide lamp. -Two 96 watt True Actinic 03 Blue square-pin compact fluorescent lamps. -Three 1 watt Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow 470nm LED lamps)

My 72g bowfront has been running almost 6 weeks now with approx 75lbs LR and I am dying to get something in there soon. I currently have a cleaning crew (2 cleaner shrimp, 2 peppermint shrimp, 20 Astrea, 20 Cerith, 10 blue hermit, 10 red hermit)

I would like to have a little of everything but I want to be positive that my lighting is sufficient. I would also like a few clams.

Anyone with any frags in the Victoria area they are willing to sell would be a huge BONUS.
Thanks for your time

[Doug]

Marnie, I dont see why you cant keep most anything under that lighting. Perhaps there may be a few acro,s that require more light but most corals will do just fine.

I only run a pair of 175w 10K Ushio bulbs on my 5ft. 170 and everything is fine. I have lots of sps but no acros.

If you keep the more light loving clams like crocea or maxima, I would keep them up a bit higher on the rock structure somewhere. They like it there anyways. The other larger clams like squamosa and derasa can take less light, {although they still require decent light}, and can be placed lower on the bottom.

You may have a bit slower growth from some corals, but thats fine.

[Marnie]

Thanks for the quick reply Doug, when I originally researched this light your reply is exactly what I thought, then I spoke with someone at J&L and they told me I wouldn't be able to keep SPS which kinda burst my bubble. Since I want a mix of things I will research which SPS need the higher light and stay clear of them.

Already I wish I had a bigger tank and I don't have anything in it yet LOL.

I have recently went from a 22 tank freshwater Angelfish hatchery down to only 2 tanks and I am SO enjoying this new reef setup.

I imagine in less than a year I will be upgrading to a bigger tank. I'm kinda kicking myself already for settling for a 72g but it was a great deal and I will approach it as my learning tank b4 I upgrade.
Thanks again

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Agree with Doug. That combination of lights will keep most corals happy & healthy. Just layer your frags & colonies according to their light & current requirements & you should be fine. Continue to research the web like you obviously are doing, since there's tons of info our there. Suggest you do concentrate on frags until your tank is more established & stabilized. Frags are cheaper, more adaptable & more environmentally friendly. Stick with the hardier spp. since this is your first time doing corals/marine. Mushrooms, many softies (colts, anthelia, sinularia leathers, zoanthids) & LPS like open brains & bubbles are generally good beginner corals. Goniopora (flowerpot) are notorious for being beautiful & hard to keep long term, but LFS love to sell these. Elegance are another spp. with a bad track record in the last couple of years. Montipora spp tend to be among the easier SPS to keep. M.Digita frags are also usually available.

Remember, go slow. Rushing too much in this hobby is a recipe for disaster. If you really like something & you're not sure, as them at the LFS to put it on hold until you research it to see if you can take care of it. Many spp. are beautiful but with dismal success rates in captivity. Learn from other people's mistakes. (It's cheaper & it'll help keep these wonderful creatures alive).

Good luck & welcome to the Addiction. Your Visa will love you.

Anthony

[Marnie]

Thanks for the info Anthony,

I am defintely TRYING to go slow....patience isn't my strong point but with Xmas coming it is helping. For some unknown reason my son doesn't want corals for Xmas, go figure.

I'm reading Eric Borneman's book on corals and reading all I can on the net.

I will wait until the new year to make any purchases....well maybe something small for a Xmas present for myself

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Maybe check out some LFS on Boxing Day. Make a list of what you need & what you want & have an idea ahead of time what price they normally go at. This will give you a better chance to save some real $$$, which is rare enough in this hobby

Good luck. By the way, where are you so we have an idea which LFS for you to check out.