mandarin chick
New member
Assuming a lot of hand feeding, can light requirements be reduced? If so, what is minimum lite requirements for a healthy critter?
Minimum RTBA lighting question....
- Thread starter mandarin chick
- Start date
hermesfansf
New member
T5 is fine, however, the color might be bleached if the light is not intense enough.
mandarin chick
New member
So critter color will be my indicator?
hermesfansf
New member
Yes. It might also move around in the beginning to allocate the best place at your tank.
rssjsb
New member
Yes, but this isn't the whole story. T5s are fine, but how many? Over what size tank? There are so many variables that your question really can't be answered in the abstract.
It sounds like you've got a setup you're thinking of adding an anemone to or are trying to save $ on something you're thinking of setting up. Why don't you tell us what you've got in mind?
I will tell you that BTAs are pretty flexible in their requirements, but long-term you can't feed your way around inadequate lighting. And overfeeding can cause other problems.
mandarin chick
New member
I have an opportunity to get another peacock mantis. The RTBA clown tank is the only potential home. Peacocks are smashers - not an issue with the fish. Had one before that lived with yellow tails. They also are not climbers, so shouldn't be an issue with an RTBA. The only wildcard is how to have enough lite for the RTBA, while not over liting the mantis.
Potential tank is 24 inches high, but will be deeper (wider), Current tank with RTBA & clowns is 30 and narrower. RTBA hovers mid tank.
Watching the patterns, it appears it, plus the rock, if the rock is placed creatively in the new tank, that there may be enough shade for the mantis, but I was wondering if there can be a reduced daylength (11hrs actinic, 9 hours 4 x 24w T5 10,000 right now.)
All this being said, I may have already lost the mantis so this may or may not be a moot point at this particular time, but the idea is already in my head, so I am researching for potential future.
Potential tank is 24 inches high, but will be deeper (wider), Current tank with RTBA & clowns is 30 and narrower. RTBA hovers mid tank.
Watching the patterns, it appears it, plus the rock, if the rock is placed creatively in the new tank, that there may be enough shade for the mantis, but I was wondering if there can be a reduced daylength (11hrs actinic, 9 hours 4 x 24w T5 10,000 right now.)
All this being said, I may have already lost the mantis so this may or may not be a moot point at this particular time, but the idea is already in my head, so I am researching for potential future.
jimmy_beaner
New member
I kept my RBTA under PC lighting for around 3 months. Just fed it 2-3 times a week and it grew rather well.
mandarin chick
New member
My kids have to live forever - no offense, but 3 months isn't forever. Pretty sure the fella will be fine under shorter daylength but better to make sure by checking with people with more experience before I take a chance...
phender
Active member
Your light intensity will be fine as long as the anemone is not on the bottom of the tank. I can't speak to the duration. The shortest I have had my maximum lighting on is 11 hours.
My guess is that it should probably OK.
I used to keep BTA's under T12 shoplights at a 4-5 watt per gallon ratio as long as the tanks weren't deeper than 18". They lived for over 7 years before I sold them. I never lost any because of lighting issues.
My guess is that it should probably OK.
I used to keep BTA's under T12 shoplights at a 4-5 watt per gallon ratio as long as the tanks weren't deeper than 18". They lived for over 7 years before I sold them. I never lost any because of lighting issues.
jimmy_beaner
New member
I said 3 months because after that I switched to LEDs, which is a lot more intense than what you're talking about. The point is, it wouldn't have grown as much as it did if it wasn't happy and healthy.
