changing lights

[SNAKEMANVET]

I am currently running 2 150 watt mhs on a 20L. The lights are approx 10'' above the water.I think it is starting to bleach my anemones. The color has slightly faded some.I have another light to use that has 2 24'' 65 watt pcs. 1 is a 12k and the other is actinic. These would be approx 5'' above the water.Would these lights put out enough light for btas.Thanks david

 

[Eklikewhoa]

Why not just raise the 2x150w some till the nems get acclimated? How long have they been in there?

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

The gbtas have been in there for about a year,and the rbtas about 3 months.They eat like crazy and have only moved when one splits. They have plenty of crevices to hide in but they stay out on top, and open.

 

[Eklikewhoa]

Has it effected the GBTA's?

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

The dark color green they had is now only a slight tint of green, other than that they are normal.Just getting worried about their apperance.I feed silversides and krill twice a week. Water test have been great. I do 5 gallon water changes weekly. I might trying moving the lights up about four more inchs.

 

[garygb]

Could the MH bulbs be old? On a 20L, two 65 watt pc would be fine for your anemones. I would say make both of them 12000k or maybe even one a 10,000K, but get rid of the actinic.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thanks for chiming in Gary. The lights are about 6 months old. I even thought about taking one of the lights out. Don't know if that would mess up the ballast.I moved the lights up and they are 13'' above the water.The rbtas are doing great, no color loss.

 

[garygb]

cool. 6 months isn't really that old. MH should last at least 10 months. Glad to hear the RBTA's are lookin good. So are you going to stick w the MH's for now instead of the PCs? I can say that PCs are fine, in fact some of my RBTA's are under PC's and have been for years (daylight).

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I will stick with the mhs for about another month. If no sign of darking I will change to the pcs.I will change both bulbs to 10ks.

 

[garygb]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[ssavader]

Snakeman, you mentioned that your tank is 20l? Are you saying this tank is only 20 liters? All your other tanks you listed as in gallons, i.e., 6 and 12 gal. You then say you have a "20L reef", and a "120/reef".

If the tank you are referring to is truly 20L, or about 5.3 gallons, you are lighting it at ~60 watts/gallon! If it is actually 20 gallons, then you are lighting it at 15 watts/gallon, still pretty high and likely the cause of some of your bleaching. Tone down the lights as Gary said and your Nems color is likely to return.

 

[garygb]

I think the L is referring to long. There are 20 gallon high and 20 gallon long tanks. A twenty long is more shallow and longer in length.