minumum lighting for BTA

[mhedrick]

Hello,
A friend of mine wants 1 of my BTAs but I have a 250MH
in a 24" hight tank. They have a 11 Gallon Via Aqua
with 36W PC. I have read that the BTAs do not need the
intense lighting as other anemones but what is the minimum
lighting requirement?
Thanks
M

 

[Slakker]

I thought that T5's were considered the minimum for keeping Anemones? Maybe not, but 36 watts seems low.

 

[mhedrick]

Ok,
What is the minimum wattage for the T5.
Maybe they can find a used T5
fixture.
M

 

[Mariner]

I think that you are right to be concerned about letting your friends put an anemone in that tank. I have read that it's very hard to keep anemones happy in smaller aquaria -- I guess because it's harder to keep the water params stable enough. Also, that 36w PC is woefully inadequate. I'd think you'd need at least twice that light intensity, maybe more.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[redvipe2010]

The tank is too small for a BTA.

 

[Clarkii3]

maybe if he specifically designed that tank for a bta (no corals) i would see that as OK since it is such a small system the entire tank if effected by the anemone, but he needs way more light, in terms of pc id get at least 65w of light and i would highly reccommend a skimmer. ideally you shouldn't have one in less than a 20g

 

[redvipe2010]

bta

bta

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9025629#post9025629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Clarkii3
maybe if he specifically designed that tank for a bta (no corals) i would see that as OK since it is such a small system the entire tank if effected by the anemone, but he needs way more light, in terms of pc id get at least 65w of light and i would highly reccommend a skimmer. ideally you shouldn't have one in less than a 20g

I disagree. Water quality goes down hill fast in a tank this small. Bad idea. Way to hard to control. Anemones are delicate creatures and need to be kept in a stable invironment.

 

[mhedrick]

There are no other corals in the tank. Just LR and LS.
I told them that it is a bad idea on the BTA.
Could they get a different host for the fish that would be
more tolerant of water quality and lighting?
Thanks
M

 

[Slakker]

Some fish will host different types of corals.

 

[k_kagy]

It can be done. Ive kept BTAs in 6 gallons with a 1 gal water change twice weekly.

My sebae more than tripled in size in my 12 gallon starting out bleached when I got it. It is still very happy, but is now in my 30 gallon with my rose-which I will post a picture of--ITS HUGE!

Experience is important to their survival and keeping up with water changes is crucial for small systems.

I also feel that a protein skimmer is a must on any size tank--yes I hung one on the back of my six gallon.


The main problem I encountered was it moved a lot due to temperature swings, so BTA guard all your pumps!!

 

[k_kagy]

As for the lighting I would go with between 65 absolute min. to 100watts of PC.

--You are going to need some why to keep the tank cool, i.e. FANS

I found that the fans work best blowing right over the surface of the water. Frys has a large selection of fans.
However, fans will result in high evaporation rates, so an auto top off is also needed IMO!

I lost all my Xenia when I left my 12 gallon for the weekend and the fans were off on a very hot day I love xenia

There is a lot to think about, but if you cover all the bases you will have great success.

Most people thought I would lose my crocea with the light I had and it is going on two years and double in size.

 

[Mariner]

Well, obviously k-kagy is right; it CAN be done IF you're and experienced reefer who keeps up with husbandry -- but that doesn't mean that it SHOULD be attempted by an inexperienced reefer.

Could they get a different host for the fish that would be more tolerant of water quality and lighting?

YES. Clowns will often host in other corals, particularly Toadstool leather corals (Sarcophyton), which require less light than anemones and are also much more tolerant of less than perfect water conditions. They also don't seem to mind the clowns hosting in them.
While I have a BTA being hosted by a maroon clown in one of my tanks, the other has this toadstool and clown.

HTH,
Mariner

 

[k_kagy]

Your correct as well Mariner, not I good idea to try if its there first anemone.

If they do try it, which we all know will most likely happen--impulse buy! Happens to me all the time.

Nice looking clown!

 

[adtravels]

must admit my clarks likes the leather as well she gives it a pretty rough time but it doesnot seem to be affected

 

[RedSonja]

Our false perc pair host in Anthelia, which is growing like a weed for us. This same pair was hosting our green Sinularia leather for awhile and beating the poor thing to death. We moved the leather and they soon took to the nearby Anthelia colony.

-Sonja