lighting for anenome

[rale2001]

I'm thinking about ordering 2 btas what are the lighting requirements for anemome. I gave 2 17watt flor anf one ascenic blue light 6400k so I need to upgrade to at least T5 before I even put them in my tank??

 

[jparadise]

T5 would be sufficient. I have seen them in bio cubes with PC lights and they are just as happy as can be.

 

[nikon187]

yes a good T5 setup is in order. Remeber to get one with individual reflectors, not one bent around the bulbs.

 

[garygb]

You wrote: "I gave 2 17watt flor anf one ascenic blue light 6400k so I need to upgrade to at least T5 before I even put them in my tank??"

The actinic light is essentially useless in terms of what a BTA needs. The 6400K; however, is fine. PC lights can definitely be sufficient assuming you have the anemone located within say 12 inches of the bulbs or so. Also, acylic shields or glass between the bulb and water's surface can interfere with the intensity of the light. Research these animals carefully before you purchase them. You need to have a fully established aquarium for approximately 6 months or more and water parameters in the very good range.

 

[rale2001]

My numbers are fine 0 am 0 n2. 10 n3 I don't have a reef test kit yet... The tank is 19 inches deep and the bulbs arer like 5 inches over the surface I removed the splash guard that's how I fixed my ph now stable at 8.3. I just need to know if I should wait. The tank has been running 7 mons now.

 

[nikon187]

are we talking power compacts or T8 floresent?

 

[skimmerdude]

T5 would be sufficient. I have seen them in bio cubes with PC lights and they are just as happy as can be.

The stock lights included with any biocube are not enough for long term success with most any anemone. I have had long term success, >10 years, with VHO bulbs and bulb tipped anemone along with regular feedings. I don't know what the lower limit of lighting is for anemone, but I have never seen more than a few months success with biocubes' stock lighting.

Good luck,
John

 

[clowns101]

Ive had a few anemones live quite awhile in a bio cube with the stock lighting!Ive had Bubble Tips,Sebaes,and Hiatin Reef Anemones.All lived more than a few months.I still have one actully.Other 2 got rid of bacause they got to big!

 

[rale2001]

T8 flos I'm thinkin about doing a 50/50 and 2 10000k daylight all 20watts bulbs do u think thatll work til I upgrade??

 

[nikon187]

No,T8 are not for saltwater ( not enough growing power) T5 or metal halides would be a must for the majority of anemones. I would do all daylights to maximize the light until you upgrade. They will not survive for long under T8.

 

[skimmerdude]

Ive had a few anemones live quite awhile in a bio cube with the stock lighting!Ive had Bubble Tips,Sebaes,and Hiatin Reef Anemones.All lived more than a few months.I still have one actully.Other 2 got rid of bacause they got to big!

I wish that those were the results I was used to seeing with stock biocubes. By long term success I mean years upon years with successful reproduction, but given the relative newness of the biocubes I would settle for stable growth.

Perhaps you are feeding more than those that failed and performed more water changes.

I have been considering a LED setup for an anemone tank, sounds like they might be enought to keep the anemone alive?

John

 

[garygb]

A BTA can live under NO (T12) flourescents if they are located close enough to the bulbs and the light is in the spectrum the anemone needs. PC, VHO, T5 or MH produces a more intense light and a BTA can be located deeper in the water column and successfully kept without bleaching. MH light penetrates especially well, as does T5 with individual refllectors. In a 19 inch deep tank, if the BTA is going to belocated in the lower third of the tank, you would probably be better served with either T-5 or MH. Mid-way or higher, PC or VHO would be perfectly fine for BTAs--assuming you have a sufficient number of bulbs to provide adequate wattage.