Lighting Question

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

I have a bubble tip anemone but don't think my lighting is adequate (picture below)

Can I just upgrade wattage or do I need a new fixture?

No plans on getting Corals btw

I also want to get my clowns to host the anemone and was thinking of taking them out for a few weeks then reintroducing them into the anemone?

James M · Jan 16, 2019

Your clowns will have a little chance of hosting the bta because it’s not there natural host, even if you re introduced them

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

James M said:
Your clowns will have a little chance of hosting the bta because it’s not there natural host, even if you re introduced them

I c them host all the time though I saw one at a fish store hosting...

James M · Jan 16, 2019

Calebb8133 said:
I c them host all the time though I saw one at a fish store hosting...

The fish at your lfs are different from the fish in your tank . I made a mistake saying clowns host the nem, when the Anemone is the host.

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

James M said:
The fish at your lfs are different from the fish in your tank . I made a mistake saying clowns host the nem, when the Anemone is the host.

Well yeah ik the nem host the clowns what nem could I get that will naturally host my ocellaris clownfish that doesn't get that big and is pretty?

reef lover · Jan 16, 2019

I dont think the light is adequate .i would upgrade if u want to keep nems.
And just because bubble tips arent a natural host to ocellaris doesnt mean they wont take to it.

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

reef lover said:
I dont think the light is adequate .i would upgrade if u want to keep nems.
And just because bubble tips arent a natural host to ocellaris doesnt mean they wont take to it.

Do I have to upgrade the fixture or should I just get a 90w bulb or something

reef lover · Jan 16, 2019

Im not too familiar with cfs ....maybe someone else can comfirm but i dont think theyre gonna cut it even at 900w... #reefsquad

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

reef lover said:
Im not too familiar with cfs ....maybe someone else can comfirm but i dont think theyre gonna cut it even at 900w... #reefsquad

U think I will have to change the fixture all together

reef lover · Jan 16, 2019

Im not sure what size tank?

Calebb8133 · Jan 16, 2019

reef lover said:
Im not sure what size tank?

72

redfishbluefish · Jan 16, 2019

Compact Fluorescents are not the most ideal bulb for anemones, but some have had success with them. I see it's a 72 gallon.....what's the dimensions of the tank and the number/wattage of bulbs you are using?

reef lover · Jan 16, 2019

I cant even find info on how much par those have...but in my opinion i would replace fixture or add supplemental lighting like t5s or led strips.

redfishbluefish · Jan 16, 2019

@reef lover , I'm going to go old school on you....back in the day, when Compact Fluorescent used to be more popular, they always talked about watts per gallon. I never remember PAR being talked about. If my little pea brain remembers, I think for a reef tank, a minimum of 5 watts per gallon was suggested....but don't quote me on that.

dantimdad · Jan 16, 2019

In the past, CF were considered a go to light source. Now, it's LEDs.

Yes, you can keep an ANEMONE with CF bulbs but it's really not ideal.

I would recommend getting a powerful light unless your tank is only 10" deep.

reef lover · Jan 16, 2019

No your right 5_ 8 watts per gallon...but i gotta be honest ive never used them...

redfishbluefish · Jan 16, 2019

My opinion on Compact Fluorescent fixtures is that they were a transitional technology between hot, power sucking metal halides, and T12 HO fixtures and the introduction and rapidly growing popularity of T5's... and then came LED's. And here we are today. I still have a fixture in the rafters of my basement that I might have used about six months, before going to T5's. I'm now an LED believer.

dantimdad · Jan 16, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
My opinion on Compact Fluorescent fixtures is that they were a transitional technology between hot, power sucking metal halides, and T12 HO fixtures and the introduction and rapidly growing popularity of T5's... and then came LED's. And here we are today. I still have a fixture in the rafters of my basement that I might have used about six months, before going to T5's. I'm now an LED believer.

I still say one of the prettiest coloration reefs I had was a 55g lit by 4x65watt diy CFL kit with a blue background. It used 2 actinic and 2 50/50 tubes from hello lights and the colors popped.