BTA Lighting

[biggie4jets]

Hello everyone,

Just had a quick question regarding lighting with a BTA. I currently have a 40-gallon breeder with a T5 fixture where I want to see if I could put a BTA in.

The 4 bulb T5 light fixture uses 39W bulbs.

Was wondering if this would be enough light for the anemone? I have corals and a clam in my tank right now and have no problems with them or them growing, but I know nems are a pain in the a** at times.

Thanks!

 

[CC13]

Hello everyone,

Just had a quick question regarding lighting with a BTA. I currently have a 40-gallon breeder with a T5 fixture where I want to see if I could put a BTA in.

The 4 bulb T5 light fixture uses 39W bulbs.

Was wondering if this would be enough light for the anemone? I have corals and a clam in my tank right now and have no problems with them or them growing, but I know nems are a pain in the a** at times.

Thanks!

The only way to know what PAR your reading at any one coral is to use a PAR meter and check. Its very difficult to say without that. I can note that with new Nems I run my LED's at 80% power for about 2 weeks and slowly ramp up but I also have three 400w halides and a very deep tank.

PAR meters aren't cheap, but if you have a LFS in your area they usually have some you can use.

 

[Gonebad395]

I say yes but the nem is probably going To move to a high spot in the tank. But you should be just fine.

 

[biggie4jets]

The only way to know what PAR your reading at any one coral is to use a PAR meter and check. Its very difficult to say without that. I can note that with new Nems I run my LED's at 80% power for about 2 weeks and slowly ramp up but I also have three 400w halides and a very deep tank.

PAR meters aren't cheap, but if you have a LFS in your area they usually have some you can use.

Ya, I know with PAR I can, but wanted to know "generally" would it be enough light. I ask my LFS and see what they say or if they have a reader.

 

[biggie4jets]

I say yes but the nem is probably going To move to a high spot in the tank. But you should be just fine.

I was planning on putting him medium-high anyway in the tank, for that exact reason haha

 

[Gonebad395]

It going to go where it want

 

[biggie4jets]

It going to go where it want

Yes I know lol

 

[CC13]

Ya, I know with PAR I can, but wanted to know "generally" would it be enough light. I ask my LFS and see what they say or if they have a reader.

Very honestly a Nem will let you know when its happy or not. When its too much light for what its used to, you will see it hiding as it gets acclimated until its comfortable.

When it stops moving, you know its happy.

 

[rkpetersen]

BTAs are tough. If there's enough light for stony corals and especially a clam, there will be enough for a BTA. And it'll move til it gets what it wants, regardless of where you think it should be. Carpet nems are much less forgiving and fussier, ime.

 

[shred5]

Most BTA's do not require allot of light compared to other anemones.
We have been keeping BTA since we used NO Fluorescent lights.

As long as it is a decent t-5 you should have no issues.
Only comment is 4 bulb may be a little small for a 18" wide tank. 6 bulbs would be better depending on you rock layout. More bulbs means better coverage.

 

[biggie4jets]

BTAs are tough. If there's enough light for stony corals and especially a clam, there will be enough for a BTA. And it'll move til it gets what it wants, regardless of where you think it should be. Carpet nems are much less forgiving and fussier, ime.

Alright, good to know. I just want a BTA, but nervous to pull the trigger.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I have a Sherman BTA in a 20g under a pair of these lights and it's doing very well.

https://www.amazon.com/HIPARGERO-LE...UTF8&qid=1547229267&sr=8-1&keywords=hipargero

They produce about 180-200 Par at 4" under the water line with the whites reduced 4 clicks and the blues reduced 2 clicks and the nem perches about 4-6" down under them.

 

[Gonebad395]

How old is your tank?

 

[biggie4jets]

How old is your tank?

About 6 months.

 

[Gonebad395]

Tank is really young man usually you want a tank established a year or more. I know it’s seems like a tank at 6months is there but it’s just at the beginning of being truly stable

 

[biggie4jets]

Tank is really young man usually you want a tank established a year or more. I know it’s seems like a tank at 6months is there but it’s just at the beginning of being truly stable

Ya, I hear ya. I wouldn't add it now anyway. I was just curious about lighting with a RBA. I appreciate the feedback though!