cotter4601
New member
I have 2 clownfish and I would like to get an anemone for them to host in. What would be the minimum lighting requirements for it? Does anyone successfully keep a anemone with only 120 watts of regular floursent lighting?
anemone lighting
- Thread starter cotter4601
- Start date
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Lighting is going to vary a bit from one anemone species to another. So if you know what type of anemone your interested in it would help to answer your question. Am I correct in thinking your tank has only been set up for 3 months. You should wait a bit longer before adding an anemone 6 months minimum. 120 watts of NO flourescent lighting is going to be low for most anemones.
Also just having an anemone is no guarantee that your clowns will host in it.
For a first anemone a BTA would be a good choice, but IMO would require minimum PC lighting.
Also just having an anemone is no guarantee that your clowns will host in it.
For a first anemone a BTA would be a good choice, but IMO would require minimum PC lighting.
cotter4601
New member
I don't plan on getting one soon just want to know for the future. The only one that would work under my lighting is a quadricolor, that's until I can afford a better light. Maybe a compact floursent or PC light. If i'm lucky a MH.
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Quadricolor is a BTA, and I wouldnt recommend it under NO flourescent lighting. It may be able to be done successfully but would increase your chances of failure and wouldnt be ideal for the anemone. Also compact flourescent is PC. MH would be the best choice for this anemone.
cotter4601
New member
Would a PC light work for any anomone?
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Depends on the depth of the tank and the type of anemone. It would probably work in your tank with a BTA cause the anemone has the ability to climb to the top of the rockwork. If your were to put say an LTA in there which needs to be in the sand then this light probably wouldnt work very well.
I think that most advice I see, especially from this website: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/btasysfaqs.htm puts PC lighting as the minimum for BTA's.
Other anemones need stronger lighting. For a 55 gallon tank, the bare minimum they recommended on this site for a BTA was 220 watts of PC lighting. I think under NO 120 watts of flourescent lighitng you would see it wander around the tank unable to find a comfortable spot until it just slowly fades away.
Check out that site I linked and read all the FAQ's about systems for anemones.
One thing you could consider doing to save money, is check out the drygoods selling section of the forums and look for someone selling some 175 watt retro-fit halides. Then you can build your own hood with a few planks of wood. I'm actually trying that myself right now...... we'll see how it goes, lol.
Good luck!
Other anemones need stronger lighting. For a 55 gallon tank, the bare minimum they recommended on this site for a BTA was 220 watts of PC lighting. I think under NO 120 watts of flourescent lighitng you would see it wander around the tank unable to find a comfortable spot until it just slowly fades away.
Check out that site I linked and read all the FAQ's about systems for anemones.
One thing you could consider doing to save money, is check out the drygoods selling section of the forums and look for someone selling some 175 watt retro-fit halides. Then you can build your own hood with a few planks of wood. I'm actually trying that myself right now...... we'll see how it goes, lol.
Good luck!
cotter4601
New member
Is there a big difference between T5 and a regular floursent?
graveyardworm
Premium Member
There is a huge difference.
i've keep 4 btas under 192w of pc in a 18in deep tank. here's a very comprehensive guide on anemones
http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf
http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf
