Quote:
Originally Posted by reiverix
First a question about lighting. I run an 8*54w HO T5 Tek Systems setup. Bulbs are four actinic, two aquablue (60/40 ~11000K) and two 6000K daylights. Should I consider changing anything in this arrangement?
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With only mushrooms, ricordia, some gorgo's and some marine plants, you can probably get by on half that lighting, perhaps the two actinics, 1 aquablue and one daylight bulb as a starting point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by reiverix
Protein skimmer. Is it needed?
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Unless you are planning on getting photosynthetic gorgonians (of which there are relatively few), you'll be better off without the skimmer. Most gorgonians are filter feeders and they will benefit for not having a skimmer (or a very undersized skimmer).
Quote:
Originally Posted by reiverix
Dosing and water changes. Where's a good place to start?
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Water changes are always good... as for dosing, I would suggest keeping an eye on Ca and Mg just like with a coral tank. Many of the marine plants, especially the macro algae are calcareous and actually need calcium in much the same way that stony corals do.
I would also suggest trying to spot feed or drift feed (using the water current) your gorgonians a couple of times per week. Although survival rates are improving, the overall success rate at keeping a gorgonian alive for more than one year in captive aquaria is pretty small. Photosynthetic gorgonians are an exception to this but as a whole, they are a pretty poor choice of marine animal to keep (the colorful sponges fall into this category too; very poor survival rates)... I'd suggest sticking with the mushrooms and ricordia.
In the wild, gorgonians can live for a very long time (hundreds of years in the absense of catastrophic interference). In captive aquaria, a year or maybe two is considered pretty decent success
-Jimbob