Anenome Lighting Requirements

[Reefer2727]

I have a 75 gallon with 4X54 watt T5 lighting. I am wondering what sifficient lighting would be to keep an anenome happy. I am sure there is quite a range depending on which type of anenome we are talking about.

Obviously, I would be looking at a less demanding species. What are the less demanding anenomes and is my current lighting sufficient?

I have a pair of Black Clowns that I would love to provide with a home. My favourite are the carpet anenomes but they probably are at the higher demanding end of the spectrum.

Thanks

 

[jdrabek]

I have a carpet in my 55 with 4x54 T5 lighting. So far so good with my carpet. It has been two months since I picked it up. My lighting does consist of individual reflectors and bulbs are all overdriven. What is your bulb set-up?

I am finishing up its new home, which is a 90. I was originally only going with a 6x54 T5 system, but I am going to make it a hybrid T5/LED system. The LED's will consist of 2 sets of 12 LEDS on there own dimmable drivers that way I can control the whites and blues separately. This additional light is for the nem and the SPS I want to keep.

 

[Reefer2727]

The fixture is a Current Nova Extreme. Currently have 2 blues and 2 whites that are on separate switches. I am waiting on some new bulbs to come. Grim Reefer recommended some more me so I assume they will be good.

Pardon my newbie ignorance. When we say 'individual reflectors', do we mean that each bulb has a reflector for itself?

 

[jdrabek]

Yes

 

[Reefer2727]

Now the reflector is in the bulb itself correct? Nothing to do with the fixture?

 

[nikon187]

no the reflector is for the bulb, not in the bulb. so yes it has to do with the fixture. If it is a regular nova, i believe there is just one reflector for all the bulbs.

 

[Reefer2727]

It is a Current Nova Extreme. I guess it is just one reflector for the fixture. I will make sure when I upgrade my lighting down the road that they have individual reflectors.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Drumbee23]

if its an older nova extreme it prolly has on reflector, if its a newer one it has individual, just look at it and see. its usaly easy to tell.

as far as enough light i think if it is an individual refector light then it should be enough. at my work he had a carpet in a 90 with a 4 bulb aquatilcife fixture on it, it did really good, then the carpet was moved to the aneomne tank. but the tank has hard corals in it and they are thriving. yes the aquaticlife fixture has alot better reflector disign but still a current should do good on a 75.

 

[rfalvey89]

I would love some help?

I would love some help?

..I currently have a 29 gal AGA drilled w/ a custom acrylic 12 gal. sump. 40 lbs. of LR a very fine layer of sand. & Koralia 2. Tunze return & a HUGE skimmer. the tank has been cycling for about a month...(when fully cycled ) I plan on putting in a pair of Black & White Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred & hope for an anemone...my question is with the lighting -my fixture is:Current USA 30" Sundial
T-5 Fixture 4x24W (total 96 watt)
..question 1 what type of NEM is possible with that light?
..question 2 what is the general rule of thumb for wattage per gallon for soft corals etc?

any help is appreciated

 

[nikon187]

watts per gallon means nothing anymore. You will be fine with any softies you want with that light. For anemones i would stick to the easier ones like the bubble tip or LTA when you are ready. ( Tank should be at least 6-8mths established before you get the nem)

 

[seafloor09]

Are there any anenomes that require MH

 

[clowns101]

Well Ritteri Anemones really like to have very high light,so I recomend useing MH because they put out so much light!

 

[nikon187]

Magnifica anemones need high light as well. I wouldn't try one without at least a 250w MH

 

[greenesgreen]

would a magnifica do well under dual 10K 175's in my 75gal? Im in the process of ordering one from a local lfs. If my lights arent sufficient, I'll try a different species.

 

[clowns101]

Well I would say that theres a good possibility that it would'nt.Im not saying it wont work but like nikon187 said they really need high light and 250's are really the best.Like I said Im not saying it wont work as I have kept them under 2 watts per gallon with PC.BUt they really need the light just like clams and some sps corals!

 

[waytiuk]

I have the Current four-bulb T5HO-fixture on my 50 gal reef tank, plus a Coralife 2 bulb.
On learning that actinic throw very little useful "edbile" light for corals, I got rid of the actinics entirely. I now have four 10,000K T5HOs in the Current fixture, and I put two 18,000K T5HOs in the Coralife, which thros a pinkish light but has much more usable light in its spectrum. Turns my blue mushrooms purple, but everybody is much brighter, bigger, and happier.
I did this all because I wanted an anemone and knew all anemones require very good light. I got along tentacle (doreensis) anemone a few days ago, having prepped the tank and made a spot for it in the sandbed, and it has settled in beautifully, right where I put it.
I did learn during all this that a white anemone, no matter what kind, is a bleached and very sick anemone. It has been starving for some time, it has expelled its zoolanthae, and it will take many months of feeding to save it-- if indeed it is saveable.
The long tentacle I got, which is a type many LFSs dont' stock because everyone wants a BTA, is a nice peach-brown colour, with brightly-colored foot. That's healthy. Also, BTA and sebae anemones are a bit more difficult to keep, apparently. Here's the long tentacle on the lower right of the pic. As it grows, the other corals will be moved away so as not to get stung.