Is special lighting needed to have live rock and sand?
Sally asked:
I was originally thinking a FO set up, but if I can just use the lighting that comes with the tank, I would buy some live sand and live rock. That way, In a year or 2, I can just replace the lighting and get corals and anemones to make it a reef tank when my financial rescoures are better. How much would MH, T-5, or compact flourescent lighting be for a 55 gallon tank?
I was originally thinking a FO set up, but if I can just use the lighting that comes with the tank, I would buy some live sand and live rock. That way, In a year or 2, I can just replace the lighting and get corals and anemones to make it a reef tank when my financial rescoures are better. How much would MH, T-5, or compact flourescent lighting be for a 55 gallon tank?
a nice t5 with cool lights could run from $100 to $200 bucks for lights on a fifty five depending if you get the coral life or the glo series. the coral life come with its own bulbs but the glo’s are way cooler looking and seem to put out more light from the same types of bulbs the coral life’s use.(i have both and either way you go its definitely waaay better then the normal ones you get with the aquarium).. i run fresh water and they make a huge difference on these fish. [who] rolandocalgary
live rock needs light there are allot of organisms that need it.
[who] David
Live rock and live sand does not need specialized lighting. Corals, anemones, clams, and certain other inverts need specialized lighting. [who] Wendy
T-5 Dual Compact are about $80*. Metal Halide (depending on wattage range from $100-500.
*The T5 lighting is perefect for Live rock/Live sand.
I will recommend buying live rock and live sand..
For reasons:
Live rock: “For the aquarium trade this rock is highly valued not only for the diversity of life it can bring to the closed marine environment, but its function as a superior biological filter that hosts both aerobic and anaerobic nitrifying bacteria required for the nitrogen cycle that processes waste. Live rock becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological filter of a saltwater aquarium. Additionally, “live rocks” have a stablizing effect on the water chemistry, in particular on helping to maintain constant pH by release of calcium. Lastly, live rock, especially when encrusted with multiple colors of coralline algae, becomes a major decorative element of the aquarium and provides shelter for the inhabitants. It’s often used to build caves, arches, overhangs, or other structures in the tank, an art known as aquascaping”
Live Sand:
“Live sand, or LS is natural reef coral sand that is collected live from the ocean, or non-living coral sand that is cultured to make it live. What makes it live is the microscopic biological bacteria that grows on it, and the many tiny crustaceans and other micro and macro-organisms that reside in it. Live sand can serve as the main base for biological filtration in a saltwater aquarium, while the organisms help consume organic matter in the sand bed. Some of the organisms provide a natural food source for many aquarium inhabitants as well. ” [who] MARINE