Question on Lighting

[TMPoften]

I was curious if a 150watt 14kmetal hailide would be too much for a peacock in a 24gallon tank, I have some corals in that tank that require higher lighting so any input wouldbe greatly appericiated. I am also curious as to where i could locate one im willing to spend 50-65$ plus shipping, if anyone knows. The last thing, I was going to give him a 4-5inch sand bed and will egg crate on the top of the tank suffice to keep him inside, i dont want him jumping out for any reason. Thanks for your time in advance.

-Curt

 

[Ratatooee]

I would think the egg crate would be fine to keep him inside...I have one over my mantis tank as well as my reef in which my lion jumps at it from time to time and it keeps him in.

As far as lighting goes, I am curious about this as well. I was just going to purchase a small LED fixture for my mantis tank as I have heard they are lighting sensitive. So I would like feedback on lighting requirements or needs for them as well!

 

[DanInSD]

Curt, this is going to be really bright lighting. Some things you could do:

1) Set up the rock work so that it is "staggered" vertically with overhangs and stuff (lots of shade areas). You can put your SPS or clams or whatever higher up closer to the light. This would also allow you to use a smaller light (like 100w -- look up metal halides for nanos, they make 'em).

2) Provide a PVC tube for your peacock that is as long as is reasonable within the tank (aim for, say, 16-18"). Use a gray or black tube -- look in the electrical section of your local hardware store and get a curved 90 degree electrical "elbow"; cut to fit.

The deep sand bed with egg-crate would work fine.

As for locating a peacock, I didn't have much trouble when I set my mind to it. I called a lot of wholesalers and large fish stores in Los Angeles and San Diego (you can try local ones -- Miami?) and left my name; I had a few hits pretty quickly. You can find them online occasionally but insist on a picture -- or talk to a human and have them describe it to you. Get the species in writing -- this forms a binding contract.

Have fun,
Dan

 

[TMPoften]

Thanks for the advice the only reason I was going to go with the 150 was because I already have it, I was going to set it higher over the tank though, probably 10inches. I also am going to put about 30-35lbs of live rock into the tank, the PVC is probably a good idea as well. I'm about to make a trip to home depot so i might as well grab some now . Thanks for all the help you guys.

-Curt

 

[TMPoften]

anyone else have any opinions about it? how about 144watts from Power compacts in a 29gallon Bio Cube

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I had a 250 on my 20 gallon, as long as there are holes and shaded places . The only thing that happened, was every time my mantis would molt, it became lighter in color.The n wennera i had turned from a dark brown to a bright lime green. Hope this helps

 

[Pea-brain]

Hey. I finally got hold of a computer, so I'm here. Now, peacocks are a deeper water mantis and are prone to shell disease. I wouldn't have recommended using that much light. It shouldn't be a problem if it does have lots of places to get out of the light, but at the first sign of shell disease remove it fast. Snakemanvet-your mantis is an N. wennerae and they can take just about any light you can put over it because they live in such shallow water. Also in the normal aquarium they will turn green under aquarium lights.

Dan