Another Bta Lighting Question

[newreefbishop]

I just came from the a local LFS, and told the guy that I was upgrading my lights to a 6 light 36 watt T-5 system from my current 192 pc with 50 watt no setup. He said what I have is enough for an BTA that is 10 inches deep in the tank.....IS THIS TRUE? I still want to go to the T-5's but is this really true?

 

[newreefbishop]

um bump

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

i think you'll be just fine as long as the bulbs have individual reflectors and are hung about 4" from the water's surface... oh, and the bta is under them at about that depth... +/- 10". Suppliment with weekly feedings.

 

[kravi]

BTAs are the most light friendly anemones, I think.

They are known to do fine with PCs and CFs, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem with T5s (which have 22" penetration).

So yeah, you'll be fine, even at 10" depth.

--Me

 

[newreefbishop]

Ok cool, but right now I have PC's 192 worth with some suplimental NO....would one be ok under that, till I upgrade lighting in the next month or so?

 

[saline solution]

I kept my BTA under 3 watts/gallon of PC lighting near the surface for a few weeks and fed him. He lived. If I were you I would wait until you had your new light though.

 

[TheVillageIdiot]

I would wait. If you're going to spend the money for the T5s, why not go w/ a 36" retrofit MH setup?

Does this tank have a plastic center brace? If not, something like this would be nice for a BTA tank...

and if you can do your own wiring... 2x 175w icecap ballasts with powercords, quick disconnects (male and female), mogul sockets and reflectors would get you very nice setup for about the same price as the unit above.

anyway, sorry if you've already decided for sure, but I ended up upgrading to MH in the long run...

 

[newreefbishop]

I do have a centerbrace....I am kinda back and forth between T-5s and halides....

I have found a way I can put together a kit for about 150-200 I can get balasts for T-5 for 16 bucks a pop....the most expensive part will be reflectors and bulbs.....

If I go halides I can get balasts for about 60 bucks and bulbs run about 60-70 each...so ill be looking at around 250-275 for total setup but then I have to deal with power bill and heat......

In the mean time I was given a BTA, he has been good till like twoo weeks ago when I fed him he hasnt been the same since even though he was growing and thriving for 3 months....I was looking at a replacement just incase but didnt want to buy somethin that would die......

 

[dandydan]

Go the Halides, Ive just upgraded to 2 250w from T5, apart from the penetration within a fortnight i saw growth on acropora and montipora, and more growth on 2 derasas.
On top of that to be able to have an open top tank with room to get your arms in is just absolute heaven. If not a little warm.
I reckon ive got the best tanned arms ever lol.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8232720#post8232720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kravi
BTAs are the most light friendly anemones, I think.

They are known to do fine with PCs and CFs, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem with T5s (which have 22" penetration).

So yeah, you'll be fine, even at 10" depth.

--Me

I thought they had 18 inch penetration?

 

[herpchat]

OK I have 130 watts a 10K and the actinic on a 29 gal tank.

Is that enough for a bubbletip?

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8243202#post8243202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by herpchat
OK I have 130 watts a 10K and the actinic on a 29 gal tank.

Is that enough for a bubbletip?

Its enough but the tank isn't enough for any anemone. At least a 40 gallon tank is suitable not just for room for the anemone but because of water stablility.