I bought some rock today help!

I bought some rock today, with some purple on it. it has a mushroom of some sort that I didn't notice at the time, i don't have the right light going to it. I have aqua glow 20watt and I know thats probably not doing anything at all. is it going to die? I have a powerhead 200gph, and a aqua clear thats rated at 200 gph what should I do? help!!!

 

Not enough, but the mushroom will expand soon.

 

what does expand mean with the rock still live?

 

I meant the mushroom, but nevermind that. The rock will be okay. ;D You may need more lighting if going with corals.

 

Got another question! I have some lights that are like flood lights that I use for painting, and they look like metal lights will those work? can I rig something up to use those? I have like 10 spare ones. They look like this...http://www.offshore-technology.com/contractor_images/bossltg/5s-bossltg.jpg

 

lfndust,
More lighting will help, but having the correct lighting is better. You could use the work lights for a temporary solution, but if you want that mushroom coral to last more than a couple of weeks, you should upgrade your lighting.

On the other hand, this may all be more than you barganed for if you only wanted a FOWLR (fish only, with live rock) tank. In that case, return the rock with the mushroom and get another rock.

 

I wanted corals, but not so soon, cause I knew I didn't have the appropriate lighting, I guess tomorrow im just going to have to break down and buy the lighting early. Don't want to put it on the Credit Card but the LFS leaves me no choice. LOL.

 

Any good DIY lights things online? Where I can buy the stuff at HOME DUMPIT tomorrow and make my own, I'm really good with my hands.

is this light not enough? or should I go the next step up http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53000

 

You need to have FULL SPECTRUM lightbulbs for the success of your livestock in your tank. Why are you catering to one mushroom polyp? If I were you I would place the mushroom at the top of the tank and it might live, or bring it back to the pet shop. You will be able notice if the mushroom is living or getting ready to die as you will notice some bleaching. I just wouldn't all of the sudden change and basically provide a quick fix which may not be the most economical and ideal way to go.
I would wait till you are able to take the time and think it through as to what type of lighting(color/kelvin, pc, vho, or metal halide and amount of watts per gallon), what kind of corals you wish to keep and if their is a possibility of switching to a bigger tank in the near future.
IMO you are making an important decision too fast, based on a single mushroom instead of looking at the whole picture. You can go with that coralife fixture which may be sufficient(though, still low wattage it is full spectrum lighting) but then when you go to get your next coral the new lighting you just bought may not be adequate for it.
I hope i'm making sense!!! I just want you to make the right choice by thinking it thru down the line and not just at this point in time for the sake of the one mushroom. Plus, I don't want you to have to spend money on different lighting schemes like I did is all...
good luck!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks, I didn't know it has a mushroom on it till I brought it home, I could only see the front of it and the guy put it in a box and taped it shut...so I was fully unaware. I will take it back today!