What is the lowest lighting you've seen a BTA kept under?

[KindCorals]

Im just curious about this. I've always kept them under very intense MH lighting but heard they can be kept under much less as long as water quality is great, they are fed regularly, low stress environment, etc..

 

[phender]

In the old days I kept them under 4 normal fluorescent bulbs. Whatever fit over the tank is the wattage I used (40 watt over 48" tank, 30 watt over 36" tank, etc.). I had one in a 10 gal tank that did quite well under 4x15 watt bulbs. None of the tanks were over 18" tall however.
I didn't really feed them regularly and I wouldn't say the water quality was pristine. Skimmer technology wasn't great in the days before venturi skimmers. I had several between 7-10 years old before I sold them.

I certainly wouldn't recommend that now. In those days, it was really the best we could do.

 

[greg1786]

I've seen a lfs that I no longer go to keep them in tanks without lights at all. the only light the tank got was from the recess lighting in the ceiling of the store. I actually asked about it way back when I was new to the hobby and first learning about nems. the guy working there told me they get sold fast enough that the week or two their in the store won't hurt them without any light. he then proceeded to tell me that bta didn't need much light at all that my old aqueon t8 single bulb hood with a 50/50 bulb in it was more than sufficient. once I found reef central and did some Hw I realized how appalling this was and never went back. its a shame what ppl at a lot of lfs will tell you anymore. Anything to make a sale I guess


Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

 

[KindCorals]

In the old days I kept them under 4 normal fluorescent bulbs. Whatever fit over the tank is the wattage I used (40 watt over 48" tank, 30 watt over 36" tank, etc.). I had one in a 10 gal tank that did quite well under 4x15 watt bulbs. None of the tanks were over 18" tall however.
I didn't really feed them regularly and I wouldn't say the water quality was pristine. Skimmer technology wasn't great in the days before venturi skimmers. I had several between 7-10 years old before I sold them.

I certainly wouldn't recommend that now. In those days, it was really the best we could do.

I am really surprised they survived with such low lighting, not to mention the water quality that was common back then! They are very hardy from my experiences but I guess some are a lot more hardy than I thought. The shallow tanks would help with the fluorescent bulbs but even though couldnt have been that strong back then.

I've seen a lfs that I no longer go to keep them in tanks without lights at all. the only light the tank got was from the recess lighting in the ceiling of the store. I actually asked about it way back when I was new to the hobby and first learning about nems. the guy working there told me they get sold fast enough that the week or two their in the store won't hurt them without any light. he then proceeded to tell me that bta didn't need much light at all that my old aqueon t8 single bulb hood with a 50/50 bulb in it was more than sufficient. once I found reef central and did some Hw I realized how appalling this was and never went back. its a shame what ppl at a lot of lfs will tell you anymore. Anything to make a sale I guess[/SIZE]

I cant believe they wouldnt even keep a simple fluorescent bulb over that tank but I see why you wouldnt want to shop there anymore.

I always wonder if people at the lfs like that are really trying to make a sale or just have no clue and are trying to sound like they do. If its the owner, that is a shame but I've been to many where kids have a part time job and are just helping out with the fish when they usually work in the pet feed section.

 

[syrinx]

In the old days I kept them under 4 normal fluorescent bulbs. Whatever fit over the tank is the wattage I used (40 watt over 48" tank, 30 watt over 36" tank, etc.). I had one in a 10 gal tank that did quite well under 4x15 watt bulbs. None of the tanks were over 18" tall however.
I didn't really feed them regularly and I wouldn't say the water quality was pristine. Skimmer technology wasn't great in the days before venturi skimmers. I had several between 7-10 years old before I sold them.

I certainly wouldn't recommend that now. In those days, it was really the best we could do.

This was the standard for the time-and worked. I agree though that minimum and optimum are different words for a reason! Any modern lighting of sufficient wattage will work, be it PC, VHO, T5, Hid or led. For more difficult anemones, the same is true- we kept them with what we had- however today I would go Halides or go home.

 

[kretzkiller]

Check out lewys sticky on how hardy nems are. I agree with earlier posts about btas not needing optimal water quality and lighting to survive .q