Growing corals
 

I was under the impression until lately that growing SPS or softies, was easier than growing LPS corals.
But some research has proved differently.
Which is easier?
What WPG should I being aiming for to grow the easier of the two? possibly both. I'm looking for intermediate range.
I have a 58 gallon oceanic.
was planning on getting a 150 watt Metal halide, I already have a 96 watt Pc fixture that I planned on changing to Actinic.
that makes 246 watts...or 4.2 WPG.
According to the charts I've seen that doesn't seem like it's going to cut it.

What should I really be aiming for??

SPS, LPS, and softies are all different kinds of corals. The easiest are softies, then LPS, and finally SPS are most difficult. That amount of light should be fine for softies and LPS.

[quote]I was under the impression until lately that growing SPS or softies, was easier than growing LPS corals.
But some research has proved differently.
Which is easier?[/quote]

Depends on what question your asking. SPS are generally speaking, very fast growing corals, given the proper conditions. Some LPS have painfully slow growth rates. However, SPS are also, generally speaking, much more demanding to keep. Requiring very good water quality, high intensity light, and strong, random water movement. Where LPS are far less demanding in terms of lighting, flow, and to an extent water quality (LPS are more forgiving in terms of water quality, although they still require good water quality). Not sure about softies, I kind of skipped over those...went from zoanthids to LPS to SPS. :D

[quote]What WPG should I being aiming for to grow the easier of the two? possibly both. I'm looking for intermediate range.
I have a 58 gallon oceanic.
was planning on getting a 150 watt Metal halide, I already have a 96 watt Pc fixture that I planned on changing to Actinic.
that makes 246 watts...or 4.2 WPG.
According to the charts I've seen that doesn't seem like it's going to cut it.

What should I really be aiming for??[/quote]

WPG isn't really a good way of judging light intensity. Lights of different types, but similar wattage can have vastly different intensity levels. Personally, I'd go with a 250W MH for that tank, but it's easy to say that when your spending somebody elses money. :D 150W HQI with 96W PC would be fine for zoas, softies, shrooms, and LPS. If your planning on going the SPS route, you may have trouble, unless you keep them high in the tank, directly under the light.

I'd go with a 250 as well. The cost difference shouldn't be that much between a 150 and 250. And you will have more flexibility as to what coral you can keep.

if the 58 is a corner you will do fine with 150;s ( 10 k or under )

but will do better with 250 or even 400

why do peaple go by watts per gallon? if that were true i could grow sps in a 10 gallon tank with a 100 watt incandecent bulb.
that would be 10 watts per gallon.
i have sps in a 20 long with pc's and they are doing great. it depends on how clear the water is and how far away from the lights they are.

It's very hard to generalize. Montipora digita (lps) is easier than cataphylia jardenei(elegance coral)(lps) which is easier than Dendronephtia(carnation)soft or leather. You really need to study the specimens you like before acquiring them. If you know where they live in nature,deepp reef ,crest,lagoons etc, you can aprroximate natual conditions to some degree.there are also compatability issues related to alleopathy(chemical releases by some corals which are harmful to others and nutrient requirements
among other things.

Watts per gallon is an almost useless guideline. It depends on depth ,how far away from the water your lights are, intensity, kelvin rating,spectrum and ultimately wether or not there is enough photosynthetically available radiation (PAR). PAR is light at the animal who will use it in the spectrum the zooxanthelae can use.
You should be able to do most things with the lighting you describe if you use a 10k bulb. A 250 halide might be better.

sounds like 250 halide.
I always study the specimen i get before purchase.
I just need some generalizations first off.
I could/should use the 96 as an actinic though, right?
Anyone have recommendations on fixtures?
There are a few on the Drfostersmith site.
Wondering if there is something anyone else uses.
I'm all for DIY fixtures too.

Yes use the 96 as actinics. I like the hamilton fixtures with se bulbs and vho actinics. I particularly like the 14k 250w bulb.It gives a nice bluish look with good par.

Just an extra thought about generalizations. Some soft corals do well with a variety of lighting conditions. Many get alot greener in higher light (sinularia)and some need really high light,great water quality and good flow( such as Sacrophyton elegans and most nepthia).Lps vary in lighting and flow requirements too .Some zoanthus wither in low light. So it's pretty diffficult to use these generalizations to predict care requirements or to plan a a tank.

As far as generalizations go...check the sig. :D :thumbsup:

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11572723#post11572723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phenom5 [/i]
[B]As far as generalizations go...check the sig. :D :thumbsup: [/B][/QUOTE] :lol:

haha awesome.
Alright. So I should research the type I wish to keep a bit more.
Is there a good All-in-one site that lists requirement of corals.
I know there is Liveaquaria.
anything else?

A few good books:

"Aquarium Corals",Eric Borneman

"Corals,a quick reference guide", Julian Sprung

"Corals of the World",Jen Vernon

I use a 400watt,20K, MH in my 54 coener tank,
I grow LPS,SPS,zoos,clams,soft corals.
Rose anenome

It is a very nice little tank...........

If the tank length is 36" or less I would say you have plenty of light for lps and softies. If you want to keep sps you will need more light. I would start with lps and softies if you are a beginner. SPS corals can be demanding.