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I think I may have asked this before, several months ago, but silly me I've forgotten:%) What is the definition of Low light in a reef aquarium? My tank is currently FOWLR and I would eventually like some polyps and perhaps mushrooms. I currently only have two regular output flourescent bulbs (Sad, I know). One is a hagen MarineGlo, the other a regular bulb (Soon to be replaced, I was told by a friend to try a 10,000K?). Would this allow me to keep anything? The tank is tall (24" with the tallest piece of live rock sitting a foot from the surface; I DO plan on purchasing more LR as soon as I have the money. What are my options? Is there ANYTHING I could get with my two lights?

I'm so adjective, I verb nouns!

im in similar predicament with lighting. ive only got 4 50w fluros, 2actinics/2 normal. im able to keep softies and gorgonians. my lfs under 4 50w's even has a clam. try to upgrade and get 2 more or save for an even more advanced system. under yor lighting at the moment some blue mushrooms would be ok, the blue meaning they were collected in relatily deep water therefor with minimal light penetration.

good luck

Thanks, I actually do like the blue mushrooms, so maybe I'll try them. Unfortunately there is no room on my aquarium hood for more than two lights (the tank is a 44 pentagon; not much width, just kinda tall). Do mushrooms need feeding at all?

I'm so adjective, I verb nouns!

Honestly, I dont think that anything will thrive in that lighting......they might live, but no way will they be happy, vibrant colors, and multiply like they should. they will most likely be upreached and pale.

BTW, if your lfs has a clam under that low of light.......I wouldnt trust anything that they tell you, or buy livestock from them.

Most LFS will just have some light over a tank. They not interested in keeping them, they just want the to survive for a short time until it is sold. In most cases, the short time they are under that light is not a problem. With mushrooms, it's easy to tell if your light is low. If they are laying flat on the rock, they are happy, if they are stalking, or reaching for the light, they want more.



Dan

are stalking, or reaching for the light, they want more.

Actually, that's not true. The "reaching" you see has more to do with feeding than light. I have seen mushrooms "reach" under 250w metal Halides.

True, mushrooms are a lower-light species, but you have to take in factors like placement in the tank, dimensions, etc.

I personally don't think they would flouirish under your lighting, but that doesn't mean they won't do o.k.

And let's not get on the wpg thing, mmm k?

Okay, thanks, I will hold off on the mushrooms for a little while (At least until I can afford some decent lights!). Someday I'll have the money to get some decent fixtures... *stares off dreamily into space*...

I'm so adjective, I verb nouns!

And let's not get on the wpg thing, mmm k?

who said anything about wpg?

Just wanted to get that out there before it happened. Not directing it toward anyone specifically .

-Justin