good lighting for live rock?

[dbacksrat]

i have a 20 watt flourescent fixture that came w/ my 29 gallon aquarium--i plan to keep live rock--will the lighting be enough for the organisms presiding within the rock?

 

[dethjam316]

yes. it should be also be enough to get some of the more slowly growing pink corralline growth. it's not nearly enough for most reef critters, but it's enough for healthy live rock. in fact, many things within the live rock need no light at all.

 

[S.Reef]

You will not see as much algae growth on the rock or on the sides of the tank. A problem that might occur is that nuisance algaes will flourish under the low light conditions if there is too much organic waste or phosphates.

SamReef

 

[dethjam316]

dude, i have 15w on a 20g, and i'm getting pinkish-purpley growth EVERYWHERE...rocks, glass, filters, hermit crab shells, etc. low light conditions are *good* if you only want that coralline growth and don't have to worry about keeping certian inverts alive.

 

[dbacksrat]

so i'm assuming coraline algae is good