Whats the best lighting...?

Question

My husband and I have the Red Sea Max tank and the lighting sucks. What is the best lighting for coral growth and color. We have bought so many beautiful pieces that are very bright at the fish store and when we put them in our tank they dont even look the same. Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

For coral growth, you're going to need much more than $12 worth of lighting...  If you've got the Red Sea Max I think you have ( http://www.redseamax.com/redseamax/Red_S... ), that lighting should be very good...  What exactly is the problem with it?  Just the appearance?  Chances are, the store you bought the corals from had them under less blue lighting, or maybe metal halides, which tend to give a more "natural" shimmer-on-the-water look than T-5s, which the Red Sea has.  Honestly, the lights that came with the kit will be equal to or better than metal halides in the long run, as their lumen output per watt is usually higher...

Also, if the color degration is taking place over a period of time, it's very possible other levels (calcium, magnesium, iodine, etc.) are off...  Keep in mind that hard corals are much needier, requiring more light, more calcium, and more care than soft corals.

Answer 2

the storms lightning lol

Answer 3

The best lighting for coral growth and color is the florescent lighting, you can get one from petstore for about $12, but you will need to hood to install the fluorescent lighting. Leave it fluorescent lighting on for 6-12 hours per day, best if you leave it on 20 hours and provide caves for fishes to sleep at, but it will cost you too much electricity.

Answer 4

They take very high light and prefer actinic or a mix of types. Check the link below - I buy my stuff there and they give good info