Plants/inverts without the lights?

[austin552]

Got the snails, shrimps, hermits and fish. Are there any plants or inverts I can have without reef lighting? There is a hitch hiker mushroom that is doing well also.

 

[bertoni]

What kind of lighting do you have? There are various animals that don't require any lighting at all. The corals that don't require lighting are a bit harder to keep, though.

 

[austin552]

Just 1 NO for now.

 

[bertoni]

Some soft corals might be okay, especially near the top of the tank. They won't grow rapidly, but the colors can be fine. I wouldn't try anything expensive at first, but some zoanthids or Xenia might do well enough. Some phytoplankton, like DT's, would help feed them.

When the tank has been stable for a while, you could look into Tubastrea or similar corals that don't have photosynthetic symbionts. They must be hand fed, but are very pretty.

 

[bertoni]

[ericsbook]

I meant to add that link. That book is extremely useful, IME.

 

[austin552]

Thanks Jonathan, I will look into it.

 

[Samala]

There are many macroalgae that would do well under simple lighting such as you have, Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, most of the red macros, Ulva, Codium, Halimeda all come to mind. There are so many types to choose from, I bet you can find one that you think is attractive and will be happy in your tank.

>Sarah

 

[austin552]

Thanks Sarah,
I am researching now for later when my tank is well established. My LR is looking good but will need something more to complete the tank.