26 gal tank and an Anemone? What do you think?

roadrunner

roadrunner

Member
I'm looking into getting an anemone for my tank, as well as for my perc clowns to host. The tank is reef-ready with a 3" DSB and 25-30 pds. of LR. The tank has been up and running for a year now, doing great and i'm now searching for the right light and skimmer.
My question to all is this:
I really like the pink haitian anemone, but lately i've also been intreged about the RBTA.
What is the better of the two anemones as far as hardiness?
Will either of them live well under 130 watts of PC lights?
What is your opinion?
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
They are equally hardy IMO. Both can live under 130 watts PC, but that is very very low lighting. You should look into higher lighting for a better success rate.
Haitians are not native to the pacific oceans where clownfish come from, so they don't usually host clowns. It can happen though. The BTA would be more probable to be a host to your clown.
 
roadrunner

roadrunner

Member
Unfortunatly, i can't really get any other lighting unless thier are other PC's or VHO lighting with a higher Watts in them. I was going to get an MH pendent but i'm going to run into a heating problum and i wont have the money for a chiller.
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
Just buy a canopy from a LFS or online. Then you can get a retrofit lighting with the reflector, bulbs, ballast, sockets, and all the wires and jsut mount the retrofit inside the canopy on the tank.
 
russianspy

russianspy

Member
VHO & MH, My anemones do best under VHO compared to PC, all my anemones died b/c of my peppermint shrimp just to clarify why I don'r have them.
Retro VHO's are somewhat cheap, Retro MH are somewhat complex and require some knowledge of the subject, but you always learn something new everyday.
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
3x65 watt PC would be great. Or you can get a 150 watt or 175 watt MH retrofit and then you can open the door to more species of corals.
 
roadrunner

roadrunner

Member
I was wondering then . . . i was looking a ***********.com and originaly was going to go with a 175 MH pendent that also has 2x28 watt PC lights.
I really like the setup because i can make the 2 PC lights antinic.
I was told though that no matter how high i put the light heating would always be a problum. Even if i place fans inbetween the tank and the MH light so that the air doesn't stay stagnent. I was also going to place the ballast behind the tank (my tank is set in the corner of my bedroom but it's not a corner, so i angled it. There is an open area behind the tank that is arounf 2 ft. If the ballast is placed behing the tank with another small fan i though i could beat the heat that way.
What do you guys think?
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
I think you will be fine with that setup, no heating problems. Place the light about 8-12" above the tank.
 
roadrunner

roadrunner

Member
here is the actual write up of the light:
HORIZONTAL METAL HALIDE/POWER COMPACT FLUORESCENT PENDENT:
This pendent uses our parallel reflector to focus the light into the tank as well as supplying sockets and an electronic ballast for 2-28w Power Compacts and up to a 400W metal halide bulb. The metal halide ballast is remote with an 8’ cord (purchased seperately). The pendent should be mounted with the bulb parallel to the front of the tank. The power cord comes out the side with eye bolts on the top of the pendant to hang the fixture. It can also be attached to an existing hood. The pendent is made from aluminum and has a durable powder coated finish. A 4’ fan is included with a glass lens. The metal halide and fluorescent lamps can be independently controlled. In summary, the hood, fan, and ballast for PC's. The halide ballast and bulbs are purchased seperately. Dimensions: 12.5"W x 7.5"H x 16"L
 
roadrunner

roadrunner

Member
Does anyone have any opinion on the lighting i wrote in the last post?
SHould i go with the mentioned MH or would i be better off with PC's?
Thanks!
 
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