ReeferMadness

i am planning my tank set up and had a few questions. I want to have corals and amenones in my tank. Not sure what kinds yet tho. I have been looking at lighting fixtures. I have a 45g tank.

1. T-5 or CP?
2. how many watts per gallon do i need for anemones? do different types require different light?
3. how important are lunar lights? are blue or white lunar leds better?
4. how much should i be spending and any suggestions on models?

travie

Sorry, I couldn't be of more help at the moment.

ReeferMadness

its cool every little bit helps haha

nemo addict

Anemones require a mature tank and also move around stinging and killing other corals ,, You should hold of for at least a year before putting a anemone in a tank,,,

Lunar lighting fixtures promote normal feeding and reproduction in fishes and invertebrates, And promote nocturnal activities. Lunar lighting fixtures use low wattage LEDs to simulate moonlight diffusion in water, creating a beautiful shimmering effect for optimal nocturnal viewing of your aquarium.

you are looking at about 3 watts per gallon for a anemone on average some take more some take less ,,, reasearch the anemone before you commit to buying one ,, i take it you plan on having clownfish,, As they host different anemones for the different types of clowns

sirdarksol

Agreed on holding off (though the number I always read is "six months"). However, not all anenomes move around stinging corals. Some are relatively peaceful, and some don't move around a lot. In fact, some will root themselves wherever placed, and it's usually suggested that an aquarium owner think very carefully about placement when putting these anenomes in, because it's nearly impossible to move them after this.

nemo addict

Most tank at 6 months are just finishing the algae cycle (new tank syndrome) and this is why it is advised on a mature tank (personally i wouldnt call a 6month old tank mature) ,,, Most of the anemones that host clowns do move (bta,s carpets) and in a 45 gallon tank could be taken over in a year or 2 ,as the growth rate will increase if the clowns do host and feed ,
If you are looking for a host for clowns try a bubble coral or a large green star polyps

offminded

can you provide too strong of light for anemones?

travie

Yes. You can provide too strong of a light for just about everything.

offminded

if the light is too strong...what kind of side effects can i see in my bta?

travie

It would probably die, but the exact things that would happen, I'm not sure of.

Matt

Try this site i saw it on the net and thought the info was pretty solid.

Here is the link:http://fins.actwin.com/species/anemone.html

Hope That Helps You

-Matt

ReeferMadness

when do u use specific bulbs on the t5? lunar at night of course. i am guessing actinic to simulate dawn and dusk so for an hr in the morning and an hr in the evening, and that leaves the full spectrum bulbs for the rest of the day?

sgould

I turn on actinics first for 30 minutes, then add the daylight bulbs with the actinics still on. The at the end of the day the daylights go off leaving only the actinics again for another 30 minutes, followed by lights out.

Matt

Are actinics the same as "moon-lights"

just wondering coz maybe we call them something different here in Aus.

-Matt

sgould

No, totally different. Moon lights and lunar lights are the same thing...little 1 or 2 watt LED that is intended to simulate moonlight under the water. Actinics give off light from the blue end of the spectrum to simulate conditions underwater (blue penetrates the furthest into water...other colors are absorbed/refracted out at relatively shallow depths) and are good for coral.

travie

And actinics are a must when you want/have coral unless you are rich and have one of the expensive LED fixtures.

soldieroffortune1974

This is a good link on lighting:

<a href="http://futurepet.com/trivia/aquariums-lighting.htm">Aquarium Lighting</a>

Keep in mind that different algaes flourish in actinic lighting,some we want such as coralline,others we don't,so be careful with the actinic lights.

The blue color of the color spectrum (lunar lighting,actinic lighting) does quite a lot for different species. Many anemone and coral,usually perform most 'mating' in the 'moonlight' (romantic huh?) and nocturnal species will 'come-out-to-play' more than in total darkness,but the 'prey' type species will seek shelter. It also gives a more 'natural' environment for the aquarium,since most bodies of water are never totally dark,except at depth.

nemo addict

can bleach them and loose there bubble tips but if light is to much they will normally move until they are happy

Matt

I would recommend some t5's. They work well for anemones and also lunar lights for the night time

-Matt