Lighting help

Matt Miller

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I have a waterbox marine x 60.2 pretty sure I need more lighting.

I have 1 AI prime 16hd and I like the app, I just can't afford to upgrade to a hydra 32hd. Would a 2nd 16hd work or is there a better option under $400?

I have RFA's an anemone, and some zoas.
 
We need to know more...

  1. Please provide the dimensions of the tank (length x width x height).
  2. How high above the tank is your current light from the water line?
  3. Please provide a full tank shot as this will help to determine if your current light is adequate.
  4. Do you own a PAR meter?
 
2 16 hds will work well in the 60.2
24x19x19.
I run 2 on a 18" 20g nano cube with good results. I run one on a 30 fuge and my anemone loves it.
Also run 3 on my 45 frag system.
Look for a used 16hd for value. I own 12 and run 8 on seperate systems.
All 16's are 10" from the surface.
My 20g and 45 frag and settings.
20220827_091612.jpg
20220822_190034.jpg
Resized_20220814_102837.jpeg
 
We need to know more...

  1. Please provide the dimensions of the tank (length x width x height).
  2. How high above the tank is your current light from the water line?
  3. Please provide a full tank shot as this will help to determine if your current light is adequate.
  4. Do you own a PAR meter?
1. 23.5" x 19.5"x 19.5"

2. 9" above water

4. I don't own or have access to a par meter

3. Fts, sorry it's so blue, lights just ramping up now
 

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1. 23.5" x 19.5"x 19.5"

2. 9" above water

4. I don't own or have access to a par meter

3. Fts, sorry it's so blue, lights just ramping up now

Yes... PAR readings would be helpful.

You must consider two things where light is concerned; spread and penetration.

Spread is the area at the bottom of the tank covered by light. Penetration is the intensity of the light at the tank bottom.

You have a total of 28.5 inches from light to tank bottom. And while proper spread is easy to observe by eye, the intensity requires the use of a PAR meter.

Any recommendations would be guess work without PAR readings.
 
I know this is a month later. But I plan on using an AI Prime with an Aquatic Life hybrid fixture for my tank. Maybe you could try that out? I'm willing to bet it'll be just what you need.
 
I know this is a month later. But I plan on using an AI Prime with an Aquatic Life hybrid fixture for my tank. Maybe you could try that out? I'm willing to bet it'll be just what you need.
I put another AI prime 16g HD on, and still having problems. My anemone is still barely there and I'm working with my lfs right now trying to sort this out.

I took a big chunk of chaeto and ofo out of the sump and will be monitoring still. I'd it doesn't get better they do house calls, I really want to save my corals.
 
I put another AI prime 16g HD on, and still having problems. My anemone is still barely there and I'm working with my lfs right now trying to sort this out.

I took a big chunk of chaeto and ofo out of the sump and will be monitoring still. I'd it doesn't get better they do house calls, I really want to save my corals.


There are several apps that use your phone as a PAR meter. While not ideal, it may give you and idea of the amount of light your corals and anemone are getting.
 
Ok. From your pic it looks like your tank is fairly new. Hard to tell with blue light. So I have some questions.

1. How long is tank been up and running?
2. What do you mean by anemone barely there? Is it disintegrating, moving, etc
3. What is ammonia in tank?
4. What is alk?
5. What is salinity?
6. What is calc, Magnesium, ph?
7. What are nitrates?
8. What are Phosphates?
 
Ok. From your pic it looks like your tank is fairly new. Hard to tell with blue light. So I have some questions.

1. How long is tank been up and running?
2. What do you mean by anemone barely there? Is it disintegrating, moving, etc
3. What is ammonia in tank?
4. What is alk?
5. What is salinity?
6. What is calc, Magnesium, ph?
7. What are nitrates?
8. What are Phosphates?
The tank is just about 2 years old.
It's been moving around and shrinking, rarely extends or puffs up.
0 ammonia
I'm at work so don't remember numbers but salinity 1.026, PH is around 8-9, alk, calcium all within good range.
0 nitrates and phosphates.

I haven't added anything new in quite a while, but I did just take a large chunk of chaeto/Ogo out of the sump Sunday.
 
It sounds like your aquarium is good to go. With the 2 lights I have no idea how much PAR you have, but it doesn't seem to be the problem now.

Was the anemone sticky when you first got it. How long did i take for it to attach to the rocks when you got it. Was it immediate to 1 minute? Was the mouth shut?
 
It sounds like your aquarium is good to go. With the 2 lights I have no idea how much PAR you have, but it doesn't seem to be the problem now.

Was the anemone sticky when you first got it. How long did i take for it to attach to the rocks when you got it. Was it immediate to 1 minute? Was the mouth shut?
Yeah, I agree on the lighting also.

It was and it attached almost immediately and stayed for months. I don't remember anything specific about the mouth, but it looked good for quite a while.
 
WEll it sounds like the anemone was healthy as it attached immediately. At this point it doesn't sound like you are going to make this anemone happy. You may want to rehome it somewhere and see if it settles in and gets happy. Maybe a buddies tank and or back to the fish store and try a different one.
 

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