Zoanthids lighting requirments

[Doc Hammer]

I'm cycling a 10g right now that will be for my decorator crab, the only reason why he even requires lighting is because he has atleast four small colonies of zoas on his carapace! So I'd like to be able to allow him to retain his cherished (and mine) little zoanthids. So what lighting do zoas need that's below HQI, because that's the lighting I have over the 12g he's in right now.

P.S. will provide pictures of him later.

 

[Doc Hammer]

 

[pass1over]

hah, thats funny
ive got a hermit in my tank thats got a mushroom attached to his shell

 

[lfduty]

I have a big hermit with 3 zoa's on him he took a shell that was sitting by a zoa rock

 

[Doc Hammer]

Sorry about the pictures, I haven't mastered the art of tank photography yet, that and my camera isn't exactly top of the line!

 

[Doc Hammer]

So would a 50/50 compact or T5 work?

 

[Lord Sevein]

To tell the truth mine have done fine under 60w NO fluorescents in a 30g. They have been under them for a while too. I'm sure that when I switch to T5 HO bulbs they will color up a little better but for now they seem to be fine.

Some of the most beautiful zoa tanks I have seen have been T5. That being said, every zoa is a little different as far as lighting requirements goes. Some zoas will LOVE MH lighting while others would brown out or even bleach. (The latter is evident in my lfs zoas. They use MH lighting exclusively . . . and all their zoas are a dull brown color or a "nice" creamy white.) I have found that T5 lighting gives the aquarist the most options for his tank. You could set up a lot or a little depending on your zoa's individual needs.

Hope that helps,

-Sevein
:strooper:

Oh, if you decide to go T5s try out the UVI (UV, UVL or whatever they are named now) Super Actinic as your actinic supplement. They are AWESOME!

 

[Doc Hammer]

Thanks for the advice!