BTA under PC's?

[ashton1881]

How hard is it to keep a BTA under PC lighting? I don't have one now, but would like one in the future. Is this a HUGE no no?

 

[Toddrtrex]

It really depends on the amount of PC's, and the tank size.

I did it in the past (( 75 gallon with 6*65 PCs, all 50/50 bulbs )), and it worked out okay, but they did look better when I upgraded to MH.

 

[phender]

PC lighting is fine for BTA's as long as you have enough and your tank is not too deep.

You didn't give the size of your tank, so I will give my rule on PC lighting. This rule is not for any other type of lighting other than PC. At least 4 watts watts of light per gallon of tank and the tank should not be taller that 20". This will work for BTA's, S. haddoni and H. crispa only.

 

[Tripel_Hornet]

it can and hase been done. bts will survive under PC and not thrive as much as they would under T5 or MH. i have a green bta in my nano under PC and its doing ok. in my hqi nano my rbta grew to 12" before plitting 3 times. the green under the PC only really grew 2 inches in a few months. my rbta got over 12" in a year under MH.

 

[Costa reefing]

As far as the lighting, like everyone else said, it can work. Feeding it more often would help keeping it healthier due to lack of light

 

[TDesaulniers]

I wouldn't recommend this setup for first time anemone keepers. A safer route would be T5s or MH.

 

[njdevilsfan]

been keeping btas for nearly 20 years
pc will be fine

 

[ashton1881]

Thanks for all of the input, I plan on adding better lighting in the future. But, I want to wait to get a year or longer under my belt in the hobby before I start keeping corals. This should give me time to save up for a pretty nice light setup.

 

[Toddrtrex]

But, what size tank and what lights do you have? Depending on that, it still might not work.

 

[ashton1881]

Hey Todd, I have a 75 gallon and right now I have an Current Orbit PC with 4 65 bulbs, 2 10,000 and 2 50/50. Would that be okay? I'm not rushing out to get an anemone. I am 6 mos down the road away from getting one, at least, I may have better lighting by then. But, in this hobby I don't want to base things on "maybes and plan to's". I will def. have better lighting in a year. Would you say I should absolutely wait no if's and's or but's. Or would you say it would work, I would just have better success under better light? Again, thanks for everyones response.

 

[Toddrtrex]

When I used PCs I had them over my 75 -- I have 6*65 all them them were 50/50s. With what you have, that would be the minimum -- and might have to switch out the 50/50's for more 10,000K's if you see issues. Also, would make sure to change them every 9 months -- sooner would be better, but 9 months would be the max.

Have to say, that I am glad to read your lost post, and how open you are about this.