[Lil Daddy]

I have a 46 gallon bowfront and I can't seem to grow any corals.

Canister filter and HOB protein skimmer
36" Ecoxotic Panorama strip LED light
2 powerheads and 300W heater

Water exchanges, feeding corals, cleaning tank and canister regularly

Rather not do a refugium or sump because of noise and electricity use.
Thinking lighting is not enough, but not sure what to do.
Do I add T5's, add more LED's, or....?
Glass tops only so would rather not hang something way above.

What am I doing wrong? What do I need to change?

 

[schwabie33]

What are your water parameters, also t-5 is guranteed growth imo, I have good luck for ever grow LEDs tho.

 

[bcool831]

What corals do you have and what do you want to grow?

 

[Lil Daddy]

I'll have to update the post with the parameters ASAP.
If I use T5's, how do I get shimmer?
Ever grow LED's? I searched this and many came up on eBay. Are these the 55 x 3W full spectrum fixtures? Are there good ones that are reliable and from a trustworthy company? I am concerned that some of the products out there may not be premium quality.

Regarding what I want to have: LPS, some easy SPS.
I like zoa's, mushrooms, acans, paly's, monti, acro, birdsnest, hammer to name a few and I am always open to other ideas/suggestions.
I don't like brown/green plain button polyps-too boring, don't add any color to the tank

 

[BlackGrandPrix]

You don't have enough light with just that one strip.

T5 with blue reefbrite strip is the way to go.

 

[tdb560reef]

What are your phosphates and nitrates?

 

[Skazila]

If you like that ever grow check out Reefbreeders. They sell the same fixture but comes with a warranty.

 

[Lil Daddy]

BGP. How many T5's? 2 or 4? What bulbs? I have heard a little about going with roseate in 1 of the sockets. So led and T5 together? Sounds ok. I might just run blue on the Panorama strip to avoid some cost. Does anyone else out there do this, led and T5 together?

 

[amc78cj7]

If you like that ever grow check out Reefbreeders. They sell the same fixture but comes with a warranty.

And twice the price tag to cover the warrantee.

 

[BlackGrandPrix]

BGP. How many T5's? 2 or 4? What bulbs? I have heard a little about going with roseate in 1 of the sockets. So led and T5 together? Sounds ok. I might just run blue on the Panorama strip to avoid some cost. Does anyone else out there do this, led and T5 together?

Yea totally use the blue on your strip. For most lps and softies get a 36in aquaticlife and swap bulbs for an ATI blue plus and ATI coral plus.

If you go Sps I would do ati 4 bulb fixture

 

[dbp]

I bought two Galaxy Hydro LED's from Amazon a month ago. They are a 55X3 165 watt. So far I am pleased and have new growth on my sps. At $123, I thought they were a deal. So far I like them. Dimmable and 2 switches, one for the blues and one for the white lights. The spread is about 2X2. You could have some darker areas on the sides, but that's where you could place your softies.

 

[diddystyle]

what kind of salt are you using? Reef Crystals will replenish some if the coral load is low.

 

[on the spot]

I have a 46 gallon bowfront and I can't seem to grow any corals...

Besides parameters, how long has this tank been running, what have you already tried, what corals have you tried and what were the results, and what is your testing and dosing regimen?

The lighting is a likely suspect but there are to many unknowns to say anything definitively. Nutrient import, water chemistry...

What is the current bioload?

 

[Lil Daddy]

Dbp- what are the dimensions of your tank? Mine is 36 x 16 x 20 standard 46 bow. I was considering the Galaxy Hydro or maybe the Aquamana full spectrum or COB fixture. With the bar across the top front to back I worry that a small fixture will be obstructed alot.
I use Reef Crystals.
I'll test water conditions tomorrow. I supplement with Fuel and Calcification.

 

[Lil Daddy]

Forgot to add. Aquarium has been up for 1 year.

 

[Lil Daddy]

Fish- 2 clowns, yellow tang, coral beauty, goby, shrimp, 3 starter damsels.

 

[dbp]

Dbp- what are the dimensions of your tank? Mine is 36 x 16 x 20 standard 46 bow. I was considering the Galaxy Hydro or maybe the Aquamana full spectrum or COB fixture. With the bar across the top front to back I worry that a small fixture will be obstructed alot.
I use Reef Crystals.
I'll test water conditions tomorrow. I supplement with Fuel and Calcification.

My tank is 22 deep, 16 wide, and 60 long. It is a GLA 120. I have two center braces on mine and it doesn't appear to interfere with the lighting. At least I don't notice it.

 

[weimers75]

You have a very high bioload - 8 fish in a 46 gallon tank is a lot...especially the tang which belongs in a much larger tank. I'd start here.

Lighting may be a problem...but low lighting will make your corals brown out...yours seem to just not be growing which points to other issues. Water parameters would help...are you supplementing for alk and calcium?

 

[BlackGrandPrix]

The panorama are weak lights. I have removed them from numerous customers tanks because they couldn't even keep basic corals under them unless they were to essentially cover the tank in them. A T5 double bulb and you will have a much easier enjoyable time as long as your other parameters are in check.

 

[rjcranor]

I have a aquatic life t5 fixture with 4 bulbs and led moonlights. On my 50 gallon breeder with fluval canister and reef octopus skimmer. I have a clam different zoanthids, candy cane, frogspawn, mushrooms, toadstool leather and a acan. All are doing great, actually just fragged my candy cane. Looking at fragging my blue hornets and blasto.