Too Little Light?

[PSU4ME]

Hi All,
I have a 6026 waterbox peninsula (5') that I've had running for a bit now. Took it slow and let things set up. In it I have 6 lyretails and 2 clowns. Had minimal algae growth through the cycle which is now starting to subside as things get cleaned up and stabilized.

For lighting, I have an aquatic life DX18 fixture over it with 2 coral+ ans 2 blue+ bulbs in it. My plan is to add 3 Gen5's to it but my vendor still hasn't fulfilled my order i placed the day they went on sale and with ETM being shut down now, i'm LED-less for the foreseeable future.

With that said, i'm looking to get your thoughts on what I can add with my current lights. I want to get a nem, i'll be honest

The reason i'm wanting to add it is because the tank has nothing else in it and it can have free roam to find its home.

Do you think 4 T5s is enough to sustain it or am I rushing it here? I know its not optimal but i'm trying to balance that and the fact the tank is wide open at the moment. Using TMP salt and things are quite stable.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Keithb22]

How old is the tank? Big thing with most nems is going to be proper lighting and flow, most importantly is tank maturity and stability. Most have recommended a year, I’m sure those individuals will chime in sometime soon.

 

[jda]

4x T5s are fine for some nems like BTAs and Condys. If you want a Mag or Gig, then that is not likely enough. If your rock work has places where the nems can wander up higher for more light, then it would probably be Ok for most of the lower-light species - I have no idea what a waterbox 6026 is and the dimensions, so I can offer no help here.

 

[PSU4ME]

Thanks for the input. The 6026 is 5' long, 26" wide and 24" tall. I've kept RBTAs before and am planning to have the same this time around. You make a good point about it looking for a spot up top. Mild fear is that it goes higher now then looks to retreat once the LEDs are added......but then again I can allow that to happen because there is nothing in the tank for it to sting. Flow is from two 6015s so plenty as of now.....too much frankly!

As for tank maturity, i'd like to hear more. I've been doing this for a while and I have always recommended the same thing to others, let the tank mature for 1 year. But I mostly say that because its the learning curve for new folks and less about the tank needing to stabilize. I've got a pretty good, consistent system going with a standard schedule.

I plan to keep SPS and a limited stock of LPS if the wife wants it......but mostly SPS.

Appreciate the thoughts!

 

[jda]

There is something to the idea that the "one year" is also for the reefer, which experience keepers do not need. Tank maturity is all about a thriving, diverse ecosystem of microfauna - this is harder to do recently with most people using dead/dry rock and bagged sand (if any). Bacteria in a bottle does something, but not nearly as much as live rock did since it has no stars, worms, pods (all kinds), sponges, etc. A package from IPSF is good and can really help most people.

All of this being said, RBTA are not difficult creatures. They will not likely like too much flow, which is why they are not often kept in with SPS unless you have a crevice where flow is lower.

 

[PSU4ME]

Thanks, I had a massive order from IPSF delivered which was my response to using dead rock so I'm on the same page with you there.

Def have crevices for the foot to get into. I've seen these designer BTA only getting to like 4" across where my old RBTA was an easy 8".......don't want them splitting every week lol. I was told a low flow environment is what causes that......who knows.