Corals for non-chiller tanks

[Saltedpals]

Initially, just wanted to keep a FOWLR tank. However, Coral Temptation got the best of me. So went and bought some buttons and mushrooms (since they’re the easiest to keep for a start) Besides these two, are there any other types of "corals" I can keep in a non-chiller tank? My tank’s temp averages between 26.4 (cool nights) to 28 (normal).

[Clownfish]

maybe u wld like to list down ur lightings?

[dravan]

temp is not the only factor in coral keeping maybe u shd juz tell us wat lights u using???? most soft corals dun need chiller....

[ryz]

soft corals don't need much light too. Just keep your water parameters stable and good. Also feed them properly and reserach on each sopfties needs. Dun worry about lights or chilelr. No need MH for softies. they are found in the deeper areas of a reef dun really need much light.

[19percula]

corals are very nice and the temptation is jaz irresistable but got to choose correctly and also lighting play a big part let use know wat light u using?

[DrJekyl_MrHyde]

beside buttons and mushrooms , u can try finger coral, star polyp......

[FuEl]

LPS survive perfectly fine in 28 degrees celcius.

[ryz]

corals are very nice and the temptation is jaz irresistable but got to choose correctly and also lighting play a big part let use know wat light u using?

If you're only planning to keep softies, lighting isn't really much of an issue. however if you plan on going to hard corals, I would suggest you get PL, t5 or MH. Give us a rough idea on what you are planning on keeping pls. and we can advise you.

[FuEl]

Keeping corals n fish at 28 degrees has it drawbacks...as metabolic rates of the livestock will increase...leading to more metabolic waste.

You CAN keep them at this temperature. Provided you keep stocking levels within range and you get an efficient protein skimmer to remove wastes before they start to break down.

[ryz]

indeed. If I'm not wrong, 1 degree celcius increase in temperature towards an enzyme's optimum temperature will make it 10 times as efficient. for example if an enzyme works best in 35degrees celcius, increasing temperature from 25 to 26 will make it ten times as efficient.

Am I right? Might have remembered wrongly. But I think it's like this.

[FuEl]

Yea...think that's the way it works.

Actually if you can keep water parameters in near perfect condition, a temperature of 28 degrees celcius can actually achieve faster growth rates for corals.

[ryz]

yep yep. faster enzymatic activity means faster assimilation of food substances. means faster access to energy and raw materials for growth. But Livestock would produce more bioload too. Which might deteriorate your corals' health. Keep Bioload in check and everything should be fine.

[giantbicycle]

What about hammers? does it need strong light , or chiller

[alanseah]

well infact more LPS those hard coral/ software coral can live under gd enough PL lighting..or best T5..

as for temp since u r using PL, PC or T5 you can go without chiller so long your temp is not hitting 30 degree will do.

like what most do.. add fan to help cool down lor..

[Saltedpals]

Oops..sorry forgot to list out my lights.. (actually it was intentional - ha) Everyone seems to have all these super lights with high watts like MH and T5.

Mine is just a simple, humble T8 Marine White 18W. (Tank is 3ft long)

[alanseah]

how many T8 u have...

but I dont think it's enough...

[Saltedpals]

Just one T8.. coz there's only one tube holder at the moment. My tank comes with a cabinet plus hood. LFS guy said light was enough at the time of purchase. And guess what light it was that he gave? One of those dim pink lights! Should have participated in this forum earlier!! Man..

[[P]owder Blue]

time to upgrade to T5s. Or at least Power Compacts.

[Saltedpals]

I understand T5s are slightly smaller in diameter compared to T8. So maybe I will upgrade later. As for those that are the same size as T8. Would a PL light of the same length and wattage be better than my existing T8 Arkadia Marine White light 24" 18 Watt?

[ryz]

PL is as good if not better than t5. dunno why people stigmatise t5 as a superior form of lighting. Their PAR(Photosynthethic available Radiation) are very similar.

[ervine]

PL is as good if not better than t5. dunno why people stigmatise t5 as a superior form of lighting. Their PAR(Photosynthethic available Radiation) are very similar.

T5 and PL PAR similar? Their penetration levels alone are different right?

[ryz]

very close. Light intensity and the amount of light thatis filtered away by the water is similar. PL however degrade faster than t5 i think.