Anemone Requirements

[richard t]

I understand why people may think I should not keep an anenome. I would like to keep an anenome because not only are they interesting they are also very beautiful. I am looking at upgrading the lighting on my tank to metal halide.

I would like a luminaire style unit (not pendant) any recommendations?

A lot of people use watts per gallon as a guide, how many should be aimed for?

Which light wavelengths are best for anenomes, 400nm violet to 700nm red?

What Kelvins should my lamp produce, I've seen 5400k to 18000k?

Is the overall luminance of a lamp important and what measure of lumens is good?

My tank is 83 UK gal, and 2ft deep.

Many thanks for any advice!

 

[superman]

If you really want to keep an anemone then go with a bubble tip. DO NOT use watts per gallons when trying to figure out how much light to use, this is an OLD idea that needs to die, distance from light is the biggest factor over all. How many gallons is 83 UK gallons when converted to american? I am unsure about the general dimensions of the tank so I can not really recommend the exact type of lighting that would fit your tank.

 

[Fish Fingers]

If you really want to keep an anemone then go with a bubble tip. DO NOT use watts per gallons when trying to figure out how much light to use, this is an OLD idea that needs to die, distance from light is the biggest factor over all. How many gallons is 83 UK gallons when converted to american? I am unsure about the general dimensions of the tank so I can not really recommend the exact type of lighting that would fit your tank.

Well said superman, I also agree with your lighting theory.

As for the anenome I would not reccomend geting anything less than a 250w metal halide, otherwise the light won't penetrate all the way to the bottom. A 400w would be best, but you may not be able to afford them. Also how long is your tank. You need around 1 metal halide for each 60cm of tank so you light will spread evenly and you won't get dark sections with no/little light. The higher the kelvin the bluer the light is. Lower kelvin (i.e 10000K) is better for coral growth however it gives a yellow kind of light. A high kelvin (i.e 20000K) makes the fluroscents in the corals come out more(I think, not so sure on this one), enhancing their look but it will have slower coral growth. I have a 20000K bulb on my tnak, but that's just because I prefer a blue look over the yellowish one ( I had a 10000K on previous to that). Mainly its up to what you prefer, a Lot of people like 14000K's and I think they also look nice (its a white light).

Thats all I can really help you with, I'll have to let someone else answer your other questions.

 

[Navarre]

If the tank is 2ft deep then i would not recomend anything less than 250w and a kelvin temperature of around 10k. The 20k bulbs dont seem to penetrate as deeply. I have a 2ft deep tank and on this i have 2x150w 20k halides and 1x400w 10k halide. When the tank is fully lit it gives a pleasing effect but if the 400w is turned off then you can see just how weak the 150w are as they simply cant punch deep enough into the water.

 

[richard t]

The tank is a juwel trigon 350. The wedge shape would probably be better suited to a pendant style lamp. But she who must be obeyed will not like it. So a luminaire style has got her approval.


I can't give you a diagram so you will have to use your imagination.

The basic triangle is 34"x34"x48" the longest side is bow fronted.
Any guidance to a MH Luminaire would be great.

 

[Aquascaper]

I can't say i've ever seen a Luminare type Halide, they all seem to be pendants as they get extremely hot and any kind of mount would have to be heat-proof or something. This would add to the overall weight of what is usually a heavy bit of kit due to the ballasts and I would be concerned with that sat on the glass pressing down.

Another solution would be to just mount the bulb and holder with a decent reflector above the tank with the ballast elsewhere?

Depending on the type of bulb (Mogul, RX-7, etc.) this could look very cool and not mess up the look of the room. Imagine a single halogen floodlight type unit suspended over the tank and you'll get the idea.

 

[richard t]

I have made a purchase
By what you have told me it may not be perfect
It is a aqua one unit that can be suspended or tank mounted. It comes with cables and legs B)
Its got twin MH 150w 10000k and four 18w T5 actinics, timers etc...
Her indoors likes it because it looks modern. Do you think this will do the job??

 

[Navarre]

Sounds ok. I would have preferred 250w minimum but you do have other lights along with it to help supliment it so i would think you will be fine with these lights.