how much the light should be powerful if i want 2 put corals in my tank & wht kind of light?Fluorescent,halide

Question

my tank is a 50 gallons tank with both a wet-dry filter and a mechanical filter and a skimmer

Answer 1

Corals have different needs depending upon which species you want to keep - not only for lighting, but water movement as well. You can keep species with different requirements in the same tank, as long as you choose placement that is suited to them. By that I mean you can keep those with higher lighting requirements, by putting them nearer the top of the tank (closer to the lights) while those that need less lighting can be put lower.

I wouldn't go with anything less than a good multi-tube compact fluorescent. A metal halide may provide too much light and heat for a tank your size, although there are less powerful metal halide/CF combinations. Really, you need to match the lighting to the corals.

A good source of information for this is the book on corals by Julian Sprung. Here's a link to the book on Amazon, so you can get the info if you'd want to get a copy: http://www.amazon.com/Corals-Quick-Reference-Guide-Oceanographic/dp/1883693098

The book covers lighting needs, water current preferences, aggression levels, feeding, hardiness, and identification of several hundred types of corals.

NOTE: The first answerer brings up a good point - you shouldn't change lighting too quickly on your tank - or the corals you buy! When you gt a new lighting system, start it a few hours less per day than you'd normally use it and build up the time gradually. Also monitor your organics so you don't end up with an algae or cyanobacteria problem. It's also a good idea to start your corals at a lower level in the tank if the place you purchase them doesn't keep them under strong lighting - work them up to a higher level over a period of a few weeks.

Answer 2

First of all make sure your tank is well cycled for coral. Like a year PLUS in set-up, make sure your calcium and such is also good in your tank. For a 50 gallon you will want about 300-400W . Be prewarned that if you change your lighting suddenly you will have algae blooms and that can be bad. The skimmer will help some, a UV will help none.
Halide lights are good, but make sure you have a timer. When you buy your coral make sure and ask how much light-how long. If you can get away with 300W for 8 hours that is better than 400W for 5 hours

Answer 3

The kind of lighting will depend on what kind of coral you decide to keep. It is that simple. Not all corals have the same requirement for lighting. Some need more blue spectrum lighting that others. Also, if you are keeping anemone in the same tank, research your coral and what lighting it requires to thrive. Be sure if you are also keeping fish, it light is also ok for them.

That is really the only answer. What I have on my tanks won't work for you if you are housing different corals.

Answer 4

A YEAR.LOL
My 75gal reef tank has been going for 7 months and it is FULL of corals that are healthy and GROWING.
I hope this link works for you.
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[e-mail]/album?.dir=853dre2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos
I don't have The Newest pics on there yet.
I started adding soft hardy corals after about 3 weeks and I have NOT lost ANY.
I have LPS, SPS, Soft and even crocea clams.
As for lighting, I have 2x T5 actinic but 2x T12 actinic will do.
1X 250w metal halide (soon to be 2 of them) ONLY because of the Clam and Small Polyp Stony Corals.
Depending on what type of corals you are going to keep, you may not need that much light.
You can buy compact fluorescent fixtures with 2 10k white and 2 actinic and be able to keep most Large polyp stony and most soft corals.
If you want to keep SPS or Clams, you're best to go with Halides (250w) should be more than enough for a 50 Gal.
You should be asking this question on a SALTWATER site.
You will not get so many CRAP answers form people that have NEVER had a Saltwater setup and are just LOOKING FOR POINTS.
These guys will help out beginners AND advanced aquarists,
Some of them are actually MARINE BIOLOGISTS like 2 of them from MarineScape.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=11.0
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=22.0
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=18.0
http://saltaquarium.about.com/
REEF TANKS ARE AWESOME