Best corals for white lighting?

[Enad]

Hi all,

I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss - I'm thinking of setting up a small 10 Gallon Lagoon style tank sometime in the future, and my idea would be something very low tech and easy, but still very beautiful. I would do pure white lighting for this as part of the concept would be to blend into a living room aesthetic.

So that begs the questions - what are the absolute best looking corals under white lighting?

I know of a few such as the Koji Wada Pink Nepthea and Fiji Yellow leather, but I'd love to hear about more. I'm primarily looking at soft corals, but any LPS suggestions are welcome too.

Thanks!

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

photosynthetic gorgonians

 

[Enad]

They are certainly nice, but I'll specify that I'd only be looking at 'easy' corals so photosynthetic is a must!

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

They are certainly nice, but I'll specify that I'd only be looking at 'easy' corals so photosynthetic is a must!

yeah and I said photosynthetic haha. Most of the caribbean species are photosynthetic.

 

[Enad]

yeah and I said photosynthetic haha. Most of the caribbean species are photosynthetic.

Oops totally misread that! Yeah I've thought about trying to find some nicer looking Gorgonians for sure!

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Oops totally misread that! Yeah I've thought about trying to find some nicer looking Gorgonians for sure!

Maybe some macroalgae as well?

 

[Enad]

Maybe some macroalgae as well?

Definitely considering it though I'm not sure if I want to commit to the maintenance of trimming, but visually it definitely fits the concept I have in mind.

Plus, I always seem to have terrible luck with all my clean up crew absolutely loving to eat my Macro Algae so I've somewhat given up on it lol

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Definitely considering it though I'm not sure if I want to commit to the maintenance of trimming, but visually it definitely fits the concept I have in mind.

Plus, I always seem to have terrible luck with all my clean up crew absolutely loving to eat my Macro Algae so I've somewhat given up on it lol

That is very unfortunate, i have never have any issue with mu CUC eating my macro, apart from my filefish muching on caluerpa.

Red macros seems to have slower groth rate and doesn't go sexual. You could also look at palm tree caluerpa and caluerpa ashmedii as they are also slow growers to save you from frequent trimming.

 

[exnisstech]

Softies
Rhodactis mushroom

Orange discosoma mushroom

LPS
bubble coral

duncan coral

Even some SPS don't look too bad.
unknown acropora (I'm bad remembering names)

Another unknown acro

encrusting montipora

All under photons set on 100% white

 

[Steven Garland]

Really anything that is blue,red,purple,yellow will look good under white lighting.

 

[Smarkow]

Something like bubblegum monti dig would get you that red/orange pop with the yellow tips under white light.

Alternatively fireworks clove polyps since it’s lagoon style

And purple stylo gives that metallic purple/blue

 

[spsick]

Pink sinularia and green nepthea look lovely under white lighting.

 

[whoasked]

What kind of light are you thinking for the white lights?

 

[CreamCityCorals]

I don't have a pic, but the original Koji Wada Pink Nepthea was absolutely stunning in white light. I had one back in the day and it was a vibrant pink.

The other couple that come to mind is Vargas cCspitularia. Nice blue softy, seems a bit finicky tho. The other being Ruby Red Xenia, pretty rare now a days but thats a great one under whites.

 

[Enad]

What kind of light are you thinking for the white lights?

Not 100% sure yet, I was thinking of a 12" AI Blade Freshwater as I like the style for the concept I have in mind, but also could just go for a 12" Blade Grow and use mostly whites but throw in a few blues for coral growth. Not sure how soft corals would do with the Blade Freshwater.

 

[Brian W]

Yellow figi leather, dendros ate what come to my mind at the moment. Some sps as well. I don't rember the name but I had a blue one at one time that looked stunning when the tank lights were off and the room lights were on.

 

[whoasked]

Not 100% sure yet, I was thinking of a 12" AI Blade Freshwater as I like the style for the concept I have in mind, but also could just go for a 12" Blade Grow and use mostly whites but throw in a few blues for coral growth. Not sure how soft corals would do with the Blade Freshwater.

I personally use the grow. It will grow almost any coral you want. I have euphyllia, acan, blasto, mushrooms, devils hand monti. I'll try and snag a pic with white at 100% white.

 

[Dburr1014]

They are certainly nice, but I'll specify that I'd only be looking at 'easy' corals so photosynthetic is a must!

When they grow big and multiple stalks they are stunning!
Not the best picture.

 

[Dburr1014]

Lps like hammer or Duncan or button polyps. Acans, blastimosa, the list goes on and on.
The server stopped letting me post pictures. :(

 

[Enad]

I personally use the grow. It will grow almost any coral you want. I have euphyllia, acan, blasto, mushrooms, devils hand monti. I'll try and snag a pic with white at 100% white.

Yeah, I run two 36" Grows on my Peninsula! I love them for sure, I just wasn't sure if the 'Freshwater' variant of the Blade would produce a more appealing white coloration. As mentioned, I want this to fit right into a modern living room aesthetic. It would be nice to compare the color spectrum in person before I spend the money!