anemone research

[Anthony597]

Hello, i have a pair of Tomato Clowns that used to host in my toadstool leather, but I upgraded and now they are uninterested. So I want to get them an anemone. The guy at my LFS said their natural host is a LT but all the info I read says BTA. My lighting is minimal, two HO t5 bulbs. But I have a rock pillar that goes right about to the surface of the water.

Thoughts?

Which one could handle less light? Would the clowns most likely host in either species?

Thanx guys

 

[Toddrtrex]

What size tank?
What wattage bulbs? (( individual reflectors? ))

 

[rssjsb]

Also, LTAs need to put their feet in sand, so a rock pillar isn't a solution to a light problem.

 

[Anthony597]

thanx rssjsb, that is very good to know.

Toddrtrex - The tank is ~100 gallon, its custom. 84Lx12Dx24H. I have two 36" fixtures with two 40 watt bulbs each, the bulbs in the fixture are mounted really close so they use the same reflector (is that bad?). Obviously if I want to put it up high, it would be directly under one of the fixtures, making the other pretty irrelevant as far as watts per gallons goes I would think. But I could be wrong.

I wouldn't assume an anemone could survive on the sandbed under two feet of water with just 160 watts in a 100 gal. So I guess the LT is out, how about a BTA up on the rock pillar?

 

[garygb]

Another lfs staff who is promulgating erroneous information, imagine that. Yes, BTAs are the natural host to tomato clowns (A. frenatus), in fact, they are the only natural host for them.

If a BTA were living on the liverock directly under two T-5 bulbs and within a foot of the surface, you should be fine. I would suggest proper color temp. for the bulbs and that the bulbs be of a reputable brand, ATI is probably the best--Aqua blue plus and a nice daylight would be a good choice. And yes, using the same reflector is not as good as individual reflectors. Essentially you aren't getting the benefit of having t-5s over power compacts without using individual reflectors.

 

[Anthony597]

ok thanx for the info it helps a lot!