Lighting my RBTA

[ChrisRD]

LOL, possibly, but doubtful since it walk there the first NIGHT i put it in the tank. If 5 watts per gallon 8) isnt enough on a 55 gal. tank, then i am really lost 8)

I'm not sure I follow the logic that since the anemone gravitated to that spot right away, you're sure it's not a low light problem. Anemones are notorious for moving around when their basic needs aren't being met, and inadequate lighting is one of the most common problems. Because certain hardy anemones like BTAs and Condys will survive in lesser conditions, they seem to have gotten a reputation of not preferring strong lighting (but then people complain that they wander... ...hmmm :wink: ).

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying you can't get strong lighting levels with fluorescents - it is possible. It's just easier with halides and they will provide it at greater depth.

Also, watts-per-gallon is a pretty useless rule-of-thumb IMO - it really doesn't give you any indication of how much light an animal is actually receiving. For example, if you have a coral sitting say 8 inches under the water surface with a 250 watt lamp that is 6 inches over the water - the coral is getting the same amount of light whether the tank it's sitting in is 10 gallons or 1000 gallons. In the former case you have 25 watts-per-gallon and in the latter 0.25 watts-per-gallon...

 

[WRASSER]

Well i can say for sure i agree with you about the watts per gallon. Until everybody is up to par with it, i will still have to speak the langauge. Ok, Really ChrisRD, no logic in it, i placed the anemone on top of the rocks and over night it climbed on the glass and has been up there ever since. It has moved from the drop-box to the front of the glass, IMO looking for flow not light. I put a powerhead at the other end of the tank and she has stayed there ever since. Only swaying every now and then. My maroone golds just laid there second batch of eggs on the glass next to the anemone

 

[Reefer_man]

I'm not trying to argue... There's another thread for that already... My RBTA seems very happy and has even moved lower in my tank then where I intially placed him. That is with 260 watts of PC in a 60 gallon tank.

 

[WRASSER]

Nice yellow eye kole tang :wink: , i have one two

 

[ChrisRD]

I'd consider 4 X 65 watt PCs pretty strong lighting as fluorescents go, and if the anemone is not too far from the lights that might work out OK. Considering it's only been a week though - I'd say it's a bit early to tell. :wink: Give it six months to a year before you draw any conclusions.

I've seen some very impressive BTAs under 250 watt and even 400 watt halides so obviously they enjoy good strong lighting when they can get it. I agree with some of the others that halides are optimum for any anemone. You may be able to get by with enough high intensity fluorescents if the animal isn't too far from the lamps, but that would not be my choice...

 

[flanders]

i am still on the fense about the upgrade... but i would hate to have an unhappy anenome because i delayed an inevitable upgrade

so

since i cant drill into my walls to hang lights and i dont want to lay a halide system onto my tank:

http://www.hellolights.com/coaqprohcf.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_lig ... sp?CartId=

i have to jimmy something to make this fit on my bow front... (damned bow front) it is 48 x23 x18 so not all 4 legs will touch unless i build a support




anyone have experience with these models?

thanks all for all the input...

 

[fe_toad]

I have the Aquapro 24 on my 54g corner tank. The legs that come with the light are adjustable and its fits and looks nice. I had to modify the front two legs slightly with a hacksaw (very easy). But as I said. looks very good.