Sufficient Lighting?

[ChunksInClemson]

Im not new with saltwater, but don't have a lot of "advanced" experience. I have a 20L with a coralife 50/50 bulb. Is this sufficient enough to successfully breed some false percs and a BTA? This lighting can get confusing!!!! I just want to keep it simple and cheap (as cheap as possible due to me being in college). I have a glass top and just the normal cheap plastic housing. Im not really looking to add any coral, just into the breeding of clownfishes.

 

[keeperofthefish]

how many watts? What kind of reflector? What kind of top on your tank?

 

[ChunksInClemson]

I guess 20 watt, dont know what reflectors are, and a glass top on my tank. I think its trichromatic and says its good for invertebrates. Another quick question, I have a rock substrate and want to change it to about a 2"live sand substrate. Is it ok for me to add my my tomato in right after I add the sand? I know the live sand will send my tank into a cycle. Got any suggestions?

 

[ufans]

1 standard 20watt FO bulb is fine for a FISH ONLY tank but it is no where near enough for coral or even live rock. Live sand will be fine.

Reflectors are the type of reflective aluminum (mirror-like) that is behind the bulb to help direct the light down on the water vice on the roof of the lighting hood.

My advise would be to stick with fish only. Anemones require a lot of light and a rather stable environment. Clowns are very hearty. Don't believe the Nemo hype.... clowns don't need the anemone.

DO NOT get a BTA unless you upgrade your lighting. You want at least around 120watts of PC for a BTA in a 20gal. That will cost over $80 (on the cheap DIY end)

 

[ChunksInClemson]

I know clowns dont need them, but I like the look. I guess I'm just gonna have to spend the money so I will be happy with what I want. My Aquarium is stable, I've had it for 5 years so I know a good bit about it. What kind of anemone requires the least light? I know the BTA is difficult to keep, but one of the easier ones. What would you do?

 

[ufans]

A 20L is going to be difficult to light because of the dimensions. I wouldn't go with less than 120watts of PC over the anemone so you might get away with just centering two 65watt PCs. The heariest anemone is the Condy, but clowns don't like them much. The BTA or long tentacle is your best bet. You can direct feed the anemone to compensate for low lighting but it might be a lost cause in the end.

Honestly, if you are thinking about spending more than $80 on lighting then I would certainly upgrade the tank. You can get a 75gal for around $50 used and then go with dual MH. The investment is surely worth it if you are going to stick with the hobby for a while. Otherwise, just stay away from the corals and anemones.

 

[ChunksInClemson]

What does MH stand for? I do plan on getting a bigger tank sooner or later. Once you start this hobby, its hard to get out of it so I'm stuck for life! How much is a 75gal gonna cost me with good lighting and filters, etc?

 

[ufans]

Metal Halide (MH) is pretty much the best lighting in terms of cost effeciency, intensity, and frequency (color) consistency. http://www.hellolights.com/ has a lot of good deals on complete systems and retrofit systems.

As you will soon realize.... nothing in this hobby is cheap. If you aren't willing to invest over $1,000 to build up a good system over the year then stick to a fish-only system and you might not even bother with live rock since there are a lot of great alternatives out there. Be careful of local fish stores (LFS) who try to sell things.... because few truely care about the life of the critters they are selling.

Marine fish are much prettier than freshwater so if you just want to go with a fish-only that is cool. The cost of moving towards a reef tank is significant so be prepared! This site is a great source of advise so continue to post questions.

 

[MinibowMatt]

Your studying horticulture, and you dont recognize MH and reflectors?

 

[ChunksInClemson]

Matt, Do you know what horticulture is? In the greenhouse, we use HID lights, not MH. Horticulture is the biology of plants (simple definition for a simple person). I just didnt know what MH stood for, that doesnt mean I don't know what Metal Halide lights are. Come on man, get with the program. I dont need a metal/wordworker to get on my case. And its You're not Your.

UFANS- I dont plan on starting a huge reef tank, I just want one anemone. Just one, and not really any coral. And I'm not a newbie, I have a little experience and I know the basics and a good bit about clownfishes as well.