Let there be light!
- Thread starter los2008
- Start date
dartmti
New member
We're going to need a little bit more info on the light. What's the wattage?
You will need to cure or cycle any live rock prior to adding it into your tank so you do not get any spike in ammonia. Read up on curing rock.
Coral and/or plants can be added after the rock is introduced into the tank and if you have the proper lighting. You're open to a wide range of corals with that size tank and if you have good t-5 lighting. I reccomend starting with soft corals.
You will need to cure or cycle any live rock prior to adding it into your tank so you do not get any spike in ammonia. Read up on curing rock.
Coral and/or plants can be added after the rock is introduced into the tank and if you have the proper lighting. You're open to a wide range of corals with that size tank and if you have good t-5 lighting. I reccomend starting with soft corals.
Typically, you want to start the tank with live rock, sand, and salt water, then add fish, corals, etc. after the nitrogen cycle gets established. If you already have fish in the tank, it would be a good idea to move them to a temporary home for a few days when you add the live rock.
Live rock can be considered "cured" or "uncured". Uncured rock is recently removed from the wild. It still contains bits and pieces of the animals and plants that were attached to it in the ocean. Some of those things will not be able to survive in your aquarium. Their bodies will rot in the tank, which will cause an ammonia spike.
Cured rock has been out of the ocean for a while, often in a holding tank at the Local Fish Store (LFS). It may still contain a few things that will die in your tank, but it won't produce as much ammonia as uncured rock. Fish will often survive the addition of cured live rock, but it's still a gamble.
Live rock can be considered "cured" or "uncured". Uncured rock is recently removed from the wild. It still contains bits and pieces of the animals and plants that were attached to it in the ocean. Some of those things will not be able to survive in your aquarium. Their bodies will rot in the tank, which will cause an ammonia spike.
Cured rock has been out of the ocean for a while, often in a holding tank at the Local Fish Store (LFS). It may still contain a few things that will die in your tank, but it won't produce as much ammonia as uncured rock. Fish will often survive the addition of cured live rock, but it's still a gamble.
It is a 14 watt T-5 and I think normal output (most 21" tubes are 13 watts). You really will need about twice to three times that amount to keep most common corals. High light demanding species even more.
:lol: The T-5's are fine, you just need more. Look at a 3-4 tube hood on our Trading and Selling Forums.
