growing corals

Discussion in 'Coral' started by anb, Jul 31, 2012.

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  1. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

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    can you grow corals outside in a tank rather than having lights above a tank... i have heard of people using solar tubes inside but if you were only trying to grow corals then why not build a tank out of wood and fiberglass and stick it outside
     
    anb, Jul 31, 2012
    anb, Jul 31, 2012
    #1

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  2. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Do you mean as a frag tank? You could, but you would have to have measures in place to keep "things" out and to keep the tank cool/warm, depending on the time of year. Additionally, depending on where you live, you might not get enough light for a portion of the year. There are a lot of variables. It's easier to minimize those variables by having a tank inside.
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    #2
  3. Jmblec2

    Jmblec2 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    search youtube i think there is a video showing a guys massive outside tank.
     
    Jmblec2, Jul 31, 2012
    Jmblec2, Jul 31, 2012
    #3
  4. anb

    anb Coral Banded Shrimp

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    yes as a frag tank i live in the great" hot " state of texas where today it was 107 lol but im curious if i buried it and put a chiller on it if it would work better than led or halides
     
    anb, Jul 31, 2012
    anb, Jul 31, 2012
    #4
  5. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    It certainly could. Corals evolved to use the spectrum provided by the sun. Temperature would be my biggest concern as it is the leading cause of natural bleaching.
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    #5
  6. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    I think you are too far north for alot of sps corals. The cost of a chiller/heater far outstrips the cost of lighting both in initial implementation and reoccurring energy costs.
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Jul 31, 2012
    ingtar_shinowa, Jul 31, 2012
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  7. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    That was another concern of mine, but with tanks being shallower than the depth that your typical SPS would be at, the intensity level difference may be offset? I really don't know. That would be a better question for a university professor who has access to analytical data plots including intensity.
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jul 31, 2012
    #7
  8. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Just get a par meter
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Jul 31, 2012
    ingtar_shinowa, Jul 31, 2012
    #8