What coral should I get?

[Zman16]

I'm going to get a birthday present tommorow, from my uncle, which will be any choice of coral in the pet store. What coral could go into my 10 gallon tank?

 

[ram man]

what kind of lighting do you have? how much is the spending limit?

 

[kevin4052002]

lol. Lets try watts. How much wattage does your unit put out?

 

[Zman16]

Hmmmmmm....It says 15w

And the spending limit is somewhere between $50-$70 i think.

 

[FishGeek]

What do you have already?? If nothing then maybe some nice Zoos or Mushrooms as a starter.

 

[Zman16]

I currently have some Clove polyps and Mushrooms ( 2 mushrooms to be exact).

 

[ram man]

15 watts over a ten gallon?

 

[Zman16]

Yes it is.

 

[ram man]

that isnt good for any corals other than mushrooms.

 

[Zman16]

We didn't find anything good, coral wise, at the pet store, but my uncle is going to buy my a 50w light and a peice of Coral. My question is that can brain coral fit in a nano?

 

[kevin4052002]

50w is a little less than I would shoot for, atleast if you want to keep a brain. The brain will be fine in a 10, but you will need more than 50w. The coralife 20" 96w would be a great choice (JMO). If you have a standard 10, then this will fit perfectly with some $5 mounting legs.

 

[Zman16]

How much would that cost, the light itself?

 

[kevin4052002]

I spent $87 at HelloLights.com

http://www.hellolights.com/201xcoaqpcho.html

 

[Zman16]

Okay I'm getting the light, but how far away should I put the brain coral away from my other corals? I heard they have tentacles that will attck my other corals.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I got the above light for about $3 more at http://www.marinedepot.com/ just FYI. Because Hellolights was out of stock at my purchase. Its coming Tuesday and i am very excited.

Sorry i can't help much on the coral question but i am paying attention as i will be needing the same information later on.

 

[1979camaro]

the sweeper tentacles on brains tend to be short (less than 1/2in) so you don't need to keep it too far away from anything provided what you are putting it next to doesn't have sweeper tentacles or stinging cells...

and yes, a 10g is going to be big enough for most of the brain corals you get in the LFS...you should really find out the scientific name of this coral before you buy it just to do some research as there are literally dozens of corals sold as "brain coral"

 

[Zman16]

I'm buying the light, but are mounting legs nessecary?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

If you have a glass top, then i don't think so. But keep in mind i've heard reports of this light getting pretty hot. So the legs will help with cooling if its raised above the tank. I highly recommed the legs myself.

 

[Zman16]

If you have a glass top, then i don't think so. But keep in mind i've heard reports of this light getting pretty hot. So the legs will help with cooling if its raised above the tank.

Thats what I was thinking. I just wasn't sure.

 

[ram man]

a brain coral is a lps(large polyp stony) from what i read most lps have a nasty effect if their tenticles come into contact with other corals