Open Brain Coral

[bocareefguy]

I have a BioCube 29, factory lights. I recently purchased a green open brain coral, not realizing that it's lighting requirements were so high. That being said, will my open brain coral survive in my current tank?

Please advise a relatively newbie. Thanks.

If not, any

 

[LouPhoenix]

I'd definitely recommend upgrading the lights asap. When I bought my tank, I had to initially use stock fluorescent lighting with a pink brain I inherited and it definitely suffered under the weak ligthing. Within days of switching to PCs I noticed a huge difference in both coloration and expansion. It got even prettier under MH's.

 

[bocareefguy]

Would 108 watts be enough?

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?products_id=344&osCsid=c7ce17d6112c4c3156709da68bb0da51

 

[LouPhoenix]

It would certainly be better than your stock lighting.

 

[jessp]

i think the biocubes 29 should be enough for an open brain.

 

[bocareefguy]

I always heard you need about 2 watts per gallon for soft and LPS. Figuring that there is only about 24 gal of actual tank space being lighted in a 29 gal Bio Cube, and there are 72 watts of light, that is nearly 3 watts per gallon. Shouldn't that be enough? I hate to lose a coral, but I also hate spending $200 on a light upgrade.

 

[tperk9784]

Watts/gallon is no longer used in the aquarium hobby.

 

[Von_Rahvin]

and when it was 2 wpg wasn't even rated to be enough for softies or LPS.

 

[jessp]

i still think the open brain will be fine under 72 watt pc's

 

[bocareefguy]

Thanks Jess,

I'll monitor it. Any signs I should look for indicating that it isn't getting enough light?

 

[lifesworksataol]

just put it right under your lights! right up top

 

[titus164]

i noticed tperk mentioned wpg is no longer used. This makes sense, but what is used now in its place??

 

[LouPhoenix]

If you put it up on top, make sure it's on a very flat surface... it is never recommended for open brains to be placed anywhere but the substrate.. but since it is a green brain, it will be less prone to tissue damage compared to a red/pink brain.

 

[bocareefguy]

I have the coral on the substrate on the bottom of the tank. I'll keep an eye on it and will hopefully be upgrading my lights soon.