Coraline algae with low lights???

[taylorab85]

I am going to be setting up a 100 gal FOWLR tank and I am going to use about 60lbs of tufa base rock and about 40 pounds of live rock.Now, since its no reef I am only gonna run a 48" 50/50 Coralife and a 10,000k Coralife bulb.Will this lighting still promote good algae growth and also say if there is any coral on there, what would be the chance of survival?I wouldnt keep them but i could sell it to the LFS or give it to friends

[SaltyDawg]

I doubt that the coral would survive, but the coraleen algae should do just fine. I am running 24inch 20w 10,000K and 100% Actenic and my coraleen is doing fine. Now if they were VHO bulbs then the coral should do just fine as long as the water quality was optimal. To be honest I would use 4 bulbs for that set up I don't think 2 will be enough coverage. I could be wrong, but most tanks that size that I have seen have 4 bulbs.

Is this a new set-up? If so take it slow and cycle your tank with the LR. If there are any corals on the LR then you might want to have a friend take care of them until your tank is established or take them to your LFS. Do as much research as you can before you start. Ask any question you need to here, the members are very knowledgable.
Wayne

[Condiman]

More light the better but it should do fine as long as you keep your water specs in check

[MikeS]

I've always noticed that my coralline algae grows more quickly and better in shady areas of my tank, or on the sides of the rocks. It doesn't seem to spread real quickly directly under my lights for some reason. I'm not sure why this is exactly.

Mike

[Jimbo]

of course u can keep corals under that lighting. there are a few corals that do not require lighing at alll, such as sun coral and gorgonians.. even mushrooms seem to grow in shaded areas of my tank, and might be worth a try.

but, ive kept fo tanks with no lighting and coraline algae grows very slow, if at all... my tanks with MH have coraline out the yin yang.

[coral_diver]

I thought sun coral required high lighting? It seems at least that is what most sites I have seen selling it say? I really like the sun coral if low light is true I might give it a try!!! :o

[icereefer]

sun corals (tubastrea aurea). live in shady caves, but or difficult to keep. you need to have excellent water conditions for them to survive. they mostly eat Rotifers and brine, and you can squeeze like fresh shrimp heads over the colony and they'll feed on the juices.