Caring for corals

[crazyd321]

I'm basically new to this hobby. 8 months I've had my own tank, very addicting so far. Its a 20 gal, 20lbs of live rock, cleaner crew and a clown. Whats got me wondering is the corals that I acquired. I have a small colony of what I was told is nuclear neon green zoas, 1 leathery brown mushroom, and a thumb size colony of frogspawn. Besides the frogspawn, everything else was on the rock when I bought it. I currently have a Marineland Double Bright LED light on the tank. It seems to be doing well with the zoas and mushroom, and the frogspawn is staying alive.

What I'm wondering, after doing research. It seems most people who have corals only turn their lights on for 4-6 hours in the middle of the day to match the peak of when the sun would be out for the corals. I've actually been leaving my lights on 10-12 hours a day. I'm not getting algae blooms, and if I do they disappear by a day or two. Sand is white, water parameters are most always good, but sometimes my nitrates jump up, but are fixed with a water change.

I'm wondering if keeping my lights on as long as I am is helping with the corals. Again I'm new to this so I'm only guessing. According to Marineland, the PAR at 12" (where the corals all are about at) is 35. I've found this is far too low for corals, though mine are now receeding, and even show growth. Is there anyone that could give me a good reason why beyond my own speculation? My only guess is because I keep the lights on for so long, the length of time getting light makes up for the low PAR value they are receiving. Being new I'm having a hard time researching to find the right answers, so I'm hoping someone here may be able to help.

My interest in corals is growing, and I'm wondering if I should stop buying corals while I'm ahead, or if the way my tank is running if it's safe to get another one or two.

To whoever gives some input, I'll thank you now for your generosity!

I have a picture of my little zoas colony. They are probably 2mm wider now than when this picture was taken.

[sponger0]

After doing some reading, Found that these lights are only intended for marine fish only and not reef tank. Your gonna need new lights.

So stop buying corals and save your money for a PC light fixture unless you want to grow SPS at some point

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=223964

[stingythingy45]

The corals you have don't really require a lot of light to "survive".
But like sponger mentioned.The correct light will make the corals thrive and grow.
So,no,I would not get any more corals.

[crazyd321]

Thanks for the input. The frogspawn I bought was a $10 frag, so at least it wasn't anything expensive. I bought the lights intending on only having fish, but the rock has the zoa and mushroom on it when I bought it so it peaked my interest. Thanks again. I'll stick with what I've got, I'm hoping in a few months to get new lights.

[papagimp]

not only would I stop buying corals until you get the light situation figured out, but may even see if the store will let you return/exchange the frags if they continue to decline (which I imagine that froggie will, possibly the others) $10 for a froggie may seem cheap but consider the high possiblity of killing the poor thing. Not sure if it'll do any good but place the corals accordingly (most likely very high up in the tank if their starving for light) until you figure out what your going to do.