charzar-g

Hey guys!
I thought I'd got past the stage of posting loads of questions, but I guess you're always learning and thinking of new questions, I wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move it

Here goes:

1. People say lighting upgrade is expensive, like £400, but I went into the fish shop, and they had marine T5 lighting for £20...Am I missing something? Do these lights need special fixtures to work or something!? Why can't i just replace my bulb? Or can I?

2. Our LFS has a shipment, and they got about 5 red sea stars, they'd called them 'red finger starfish' which I was assuming is the same as red linika starfish? I'm not sure, I don't know much about them, but I would like to obtain one, do they need decent lighting? What do I feed them? Are they reef safe? I'd like any information on keeping them that I could get, if possible

3. They also have a raccoon butterfly fish, which they've had for a while, and I see it every time, and I really want it. Is there a reason nobody wants this fish? Are they easy to keep, as above, I'd like some information on this fish too please - I will also scouer the internet for info

4. If I upgrade my lighting, will my fish i currently have, shy away for a bit?

charzar-g

I also forgot to add that I am interested in added another coral beauty to replace the first, would that be possible?

locoyo386

Hi there,
From what I know the Racoon Butterfly fish is among the hardiest butterfly to keep. he should be fine. The tang might give it a hard time for the first few days, but over all it should be fine. As far as everything else is concerned I can't help you there.

charzar-g

Cool thanks, I really do want to get it, because I want some bigger fish in my tank, today I just bought a mandarin fish too. (not big, but I love them so much)

locoyo386

Hope you do great with the mandarine, I read they are hard to get them to eat anything other than copepods.

David C

The lighting upgrade most people talk about is when going to a reef tank. The cost comes from upgrading the fixture itself. Most tank standard lighting is one or two bulbs, but reef tank lighting has anywhere from 6 to 8 bulbs in the fixture along with the ballasts and cooling fans. Or people go with metal halide lamps. Either way, these light fixtures are easily several hundred dollars or more. The bulbs themselves aren't anything special, just different light spectrum's because marine tanks tend to need more blue light than yellow.

Dave

charzar-g

thanks, i am pretty sure it eats frozen foods already, as in the shop it didnt have a pinched in belly, and either spat or soiled the travelling bag with a krill/shrimpish substance.
i fed him today, and i think he took to the frozen.


as for the lighting dave, i do want to go reef soonish... do you NEED to have that many bulbs? i seriously cant afford that right now... my tank has 2 light bulb bays only.

Raamiah

The setup I am starting with is a T5 light system with 2 lights at 54 watts each. I have been told that I can do LPS corals and softies but that I will definitely need to keep them in the top half of the tank. Anything lower and it won't do.

One of the bulbs will be a 10k white and the other will be actinic bulb. I will either upgrade the system later or add another lighting setup to the system I already have.

OH...a lot of the really cool looking corals (IMO) are SPS corals and they do require a LOT of lighting so you just have to be careful which corals you buy until you have the right lighting.
HTH

charzar-g

yes! that means i can go ahead and try some beginner corals
i love sps, mostly ones that grow in a plate form but for now i will get beginner ones, how long do you need the light on for?

Raamiah

The SPS corals require a lot of lighting I won't be able to do them because my 2x54 watt isn't powerful enough.

If you want SPS corals then you would need to look into what David C was talking about with 6-8 bulbs so that they have enough light to photosynthesize.

You CAN do some LPS and softies but again be careful and make sure you talk with the LFS that the corals are appropriate for the lighting you have.

Hopefully others can give you better advice. I don't want to steer you wrong.

charzar-g

Thanks for the help
I will ask the LFS, but the person who we always talk to has moved, and now we don't really have LFS that we're regulars in, in a way its a good thing, so we can check out other LFS.
I will make sure I become regular somewhere before I ask, so they know i'm serious. Thanks for the help

Can you suggest the most beginerish (is that a word?) Coral(s)?

Raamiah

I really don't know but if you check out live aquaria they have a section for beginner corals. That is how I am trying to sort of figure out what corals and fish to start with. Just to get an idea. Beginner Corals

David C

Here is another link that provides some easy corals.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/cor...easycorals.htm

I hoe you can find something you like.

Dave

charzar-g

Thanks guys, I'll check these links out, sorry for the late replies
You've been great helps ^^

Raamiah

Let us know what you decide to do!

Sarrixx

if you are planning on upgrading to a reef, you cant have the racoon. the only butterfly fish i know of that is reef safe is the copperband butterfly.

charzar-g

Oh? thats a shame :[
Is that beacuse its a coral nipper?.
I might not go reef after all, because of the cost of running it. I still love my tank but the cost is too much for me! D:

Sarrixx

Heres a helpful link for info on the racoon butterfly http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...299&pcatid=299

And yes reef tanks eat out of your wallet, but it is so worth it in the end!