sump lighting what is the best for corals

[ROGERWILCO357]

ok thinking of setting up a larger sump ..but would like to have the option of keeping some corals in the sump like lps or softies would power compacts work ?

[MizTanks]

Here's all that has thrived for me under my 18w cf and atenic biocube.
Any paly, my favia is twice the size from a year ago and my candy cane once was 1 now has 4 heads and let me not forget my lil 3 headed blasto, so I'd also say pretty much any LPS. They don't need a lot of light nor flow. Most shrooms would work too, as well as rics.
On my 3G fuge I have a 24w cf, got palys growing already and the tank isn't even cycled yet-hitchhikers

[ehren78]

if you can afford T5HO I would go that route 1st even if it's a 2 bulb set-up. alot cheaper with bulb replacements

[EMUreef]

Originally Posted by MizTanks

Here's all that has thrived for me under my 18w cf and atenic biocube.
Any paly, my favia is twice the size from a year ago and my candy cane once was 1 now has 4 heads and let me not forget my lil 3 headed blasto, so I'd also say pretty much any LPS. They don't need a lot of light nor flow. Most shrooms would work too, as well as rics.
On my 3G fuge I have a 24w cf, got palys growing already and the tank isn't even cycled yet-hitchhikers

they might not need light like SPS but they do need decent lighting.

to the OP, if you do go PC, go upwards of 96watts or so.

It all depends on your sump, how deep the water will be and such. so more info on how ur sump is set up will help.

Also where ever you plan on putting the frags, you might wanna consider doing more flow in that area, i've put frags in my sump and noticed wierd algae grow where i had none in my display, i accounted it to little flow and stuff getting caught on the frags.

[chort55]

Originally Posted by EMUreef

i've put frags in my sump and noticed wierd algae grow where i had none in my display, i accounted it to little flow and stuff getting caught on the frags.

IMO this is a bigger problem then the lighting I mean sure power compacts will do the job for most of the corals the OP is interested in keeping in the sump/fuge but they are already known to cause algae issues a little easier, and then your throwing frags in an area you typically WANT to grow your algaes.

If your going to try a frag system inside your sump/fuge good lighting, excessive skimmer (and possibly even a section that pumps back to the skimmer chamber before getting to the fuge system) and filter socks to prevent much excess debris from hitting the frags is entirely necessary IMO... unless u like hairy corals lol