coral help please! i'm a newbie

I have a 15 gal. tank with a HOB filter rated for 20 gallons 5 lbs. of live rock and about a pound of live sand. I intend on getting at least 8 more pounds of live rock. I am lighting the tank in a well lit living room with two 25w aquarium bulbs. What beginner corals can I keep in my tank? and what will i need to care for them? Thanks!

 

Welcome to 3Reef!!!

Can you tell us the brand of your lighting fixture or find it on the Internet so we can see what kind of light it is.

 

Welcome to 3reef,

Can you be more specific on the type of lighting, sounds like fluorescent lighting T8?

What type of reflector?

 

Welcome to 3reef

+3 to the above posts

I think those lights are incandescent by the wattages. If that is the case I would say you need to buy another light fixture.

 

they are incandescent bulbs marina brand tinted blue. I can't really afford anything else I'm to young to get a job and I don't think my parents want to drastically dip into there funds for a light.

 

Sadly I do not think any corals will work under that lighting. I suppose you could try a small frag of Colt coral and place it as close to the lighting as possible.

The best advice I can give you is to watch Craigslist and look for deals on PC lighting or even better T5. I think you might be shocked at the deals you can find. Also if you have a local reefing club in your area, try and hook up with them and again it's amazing how much free stuff you can get. Reefers for the most part like to encourage and assist younger hobbyist.

 

If this is it (A1702) Marina 25W Aqua Glo Showcase Bulb it says it is to provide a gentle heat source for turtles.

 

Sorry,that lighting really is not going to do much.
If you do not have the funds to get new lights you could start a FOWLR tank for now then move to reef later
JJL

 

Where there is a will there is a way - my 10 year old can afford his own PS3 games by earning the money. I'm sure there is a way you can figure out to earn some money for a better light. Doesn't have to be expensive - you can get a T5 fixture from fishneedit for pretty cheap - or like mentioned above, watch Craigslist for something used.

These forums are also a great way to find good used equiptment. Good Luck.

 

I can't tell you how many reefers I've helped setup over the years with stuff that I had lieing around in my "equipment graveyard".