RBTA lighting requirements?

[scubakid3]

I am planning on getting an RBTA in the near future. I heard they are pretty good with low lighting but when I was told they could go under 8 watt LEDs I got a bit skeptical. I would love to have a small one in my nano. Is this a bunch of baloney or can this actually be done?

 

[scubakid3]

Bump. Anybody?

 

[bohannbj]

It depends on who makes the led. I have par 30 leds from Rapid and they put out the same par as 250 watt halides. I grow SPS and LPS better with these than I ever did with my Halide/Compact unit. That being said, RBTA's need good lighting unless you want them to look like long tentacles. Whatever you do, make sure you light acclimate it.

 

[scubakid3]

Well it would be going from the Liveaquaria halides to my Innovative Marine 8 watt LEDs. Not too sure about this one.

 

[bohannbj]

Poke around here for the par ratings on that particular unit. There are a lot of "testers" in the forums that love to post all the important information most dealers don't want you to know. If that unit has terrible lights in it, then I would imagine someone has alerted the community. Beaker saved me a lot of time and money with his LED post. If there isn't a write up then look to see what brand of LED's are in the fixture. If they're Cree then you should be fine.

 

[scubakid3]

It's funny you mention that because my 125 setup has 2 massive Cree fixtures so there is not a doubt in my mind that it will do well in there, i just don't want it stinging all of my other corals.

 

[bohannbj]

Do you mean too much light "stinging" the corals or the anemone?

 

[scubakid3]

The anemone stinging the corals. I think I'll just put it in the main tank.