lighting for anenome

[dameono4]

i searched around but could not find anything. i know metal halides are they best but i have pc right now. am i hurting my anenome? if so im going to buy metal halides right away. i have a 65 watt sunpaq just to let you know what kind of light i have and the anenome is abhout 12 inchs away from it.

Thanks, chris

 

[Serk]

Your Mileage May Vary, of course, but I unfortunately watched many anemone's wither away and die under PC lights before finally going to Halides... (This was in a 29 gallon with 4 X 55W PC Lighting) I know someone will jump in and say they've kept an anemone just fine under (PC|VHO|T-5|Incadescent) but in my humble opinion they really need the intensity of metal halide to thrive long term.....

(It also depends on the type of anemone we're talking about. My main experiences are with Sebae, Bubble Tip and Long Tentacled)

 

[melev]

65w isn't nearly enough for an anemone. I had my BTA in my 29g under 165w of PC lighting for two years, and that was good enough. Also, that tank wasn't that tall, so the BTA wasn't all that far away from the light.

I'm moving this thread to the anemone forum.

 

[Ashlar]

Matt, is it growing and eating well? How's its color? If it's looking pale or washed out, I'd say it's not getting enough light. These are typically shallow water, direct sunlight creatures, so I doubt you could give it too much light with PC bulbs.

Typically, if they're not getting enough light, they'll let you know by moving around. That is, unless the place it's in right now is the brightest area and areas around it are darker. Imagine if it's in a spotlight, but that spotlight is surrounded by darkness. Even if the spotlight isn't bright enough, it doesn't know where to go to get better light. You might want to move the holey rock that it's attached to a little higher, or to a less shaded spot.

 

[Ashlar]

@dameono4 wrote:

As both Marc and Serk have said, that's not really enough light. These wonderful creatures normally derive 90% of their nutrition from the sun.

 

[dameono4]

alright thanks guy, the anenome moved a little bit but its on my sand bed where it has been since i got it. ill be getting metal halides within a week!!

thanks, chris

 

[Ashlar]

@MATTG wrote:

If the areas he can move to have more light, and he prefers where he's at, sounds like he's happy. Especially if his color's good and he's eating well. How's the current where he's at? Not a dead spot, but not in front of a powerhead, either? (I know, vague, but so much of husbandry for these guys is trial and error.)