Anemone lighting problem!

[hawkfish203]

I just picked up this pretty large purple tip anemone and I know I need more light for it. Right now im only getting about 2watts per gallon. So two questions how many watts would be enough for him 6-8? And if any one knows a good light that would work I'd appreciate any info. The tank is a 125. 6ft long so 72" Thanks.

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by HAWKFISH203 http:///forum/thread/381131/anemone-lighting-problem#post_3318519
I just picked up this pretty large purple tip anemone and I know I need more light for it. Right now im only getting about 2watts per gallon. So two questions how many watts would be enough for him 6-8? And if any one knows a good light that would work I'd appreciate any info. The tank is a 125. 6ft long so 72" Thanks.
A halide fixture would be best. Coralife makes a nice 72" fixture, I just don't like Coralife bulbs.
What type/brand of lighting do you have now?

 

[hawkfish203]

I'm just running 4 T-8 not nearly enough. I don't really have $1000 to spend on lights is there anyway around a metal halide?

 

[hawkfish203]

Coralife Aqualight Elite Series 3x175 Watt Metal Halides & 2X96W Compact Fluorescents, 72 inch.......Would this light work???

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by HAWKFISH203 http:///forum/thread/381131/anemone-lighting-problem#post_3318595
Coralife Aqualight Elite Series 3x175 Watt Metal Halides & 2X96W Compact Fluorescents, 72 inch.......Would this light work???
yes. I used to run the 150watt x 3 w/ 4 x96watt cf 72" on my 155.

 

[hawkfish203]

And that would be enough for the anemone right that comes out to about 6 watts per gallon.

 

[wangotango]

Not to be rude, but why did you buy an anemone knowing that your lighting wasn't adequate for it?
On a side note, (3) 175w halides would be enough for a standard 125gal to allow you to keep whatever you wanted. A retrofit would be cheaper if you had a canopy and didn't have the money to drop on a fully assembled fixture. 6-8 80w T5ho with individual reflectors would also be a good choice. Not sure how the price would compare.

 

[hawkfish203]

A guy I knew had to get rid of his tank and I really liked the anemone and the clowns he had with it. I planed on getting a new light anyway this just pushed me to get it quicker. 8 80's is only 5 watts per gallon is this sufficient? Thanks for the info

 

[meowzer]

It's not the watts per gallon you need to look at......it's the intensity of the light...PAR....Do not ask me to explain...cuz I can not

 

[wangotango]

Watts/gallon is irrelevant since a watt isn't a unit of measure for light. 5 watts/gallon of PC is not the same as 5 watts/gallon of T5 which is not the same as 5 watts/gallon of halide or LED. They're all different technologies that produce different quantities of light per watt of power.
PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) is what you want to be more concerned about, but it isn't something that is "marketed" with the product. The only way to figure out how much PAR your lights are producing is the measure it with a meter. So really, when buying lighting you just have to be aware of certain "guidelines" of what will/won't work in a given setup, like number of bulbs needed to cover a certain area, reflectors, etc.

 

[hawkfish203]

Ahhh I see all the crap I read always refers to your watts per gallon but any ways so does that mean I could run a 4 T5 HO 39W Actinic and 4 39w 10,000k and be alright?

 

[hawkfish203]

oh

 

[hawkfish203]

I'd like to take this one step further what would be cheaper to run?

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by HAWKFISH203 http:///forum/thread/381131/anemone-lighting-problem#post_3318667
I'd like to take this one step further what would be cheaper to run?
LED's are cheapest in the long run.

 

[hawkfish203]

Yea but id have to buy 2 24" I think and thats like 1,600. I was think how bout MH and T-5 or are they pretty close?

 

[posiden]

Quote:
Originally Posted by HAWKFISH203 http:///forum/thread/381131/anemone-lighting-problem#post_3318673
Yea but id have to buy 2 24" I think and thats like 1,600. I was think how bout MH and T-5 or are they pretty close?
Watts are watts. Just add up the total wattage and you will get your answer.
So 6- watt T5 bulbs would be cheaper to run then 3 175 watt halides. Given they are run the same amount of time each day. T5s can also be more cheap to replace then halides. Even 6 of them vs 3 halides.
Now, having said that. I like halides.

 

[hawkfish203]

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 12X39 Watt, 72 inch would work and be cheaper to run correct???

 

[hawkfish203]

Oh and I do like the halides myself but im already running them on my 75 and not really looking for my electric bill to sky rocket.

 

[posiden]

I look at the cost of the bulbs too. I'm very familiar with T5s so I can't speak on the cost of the bulbs. But I have to imagine 12 vs 6 can't be good. Suppliers have a knack for "sticking" it to you any way you look at it. Cost may be the same??
Again, watts are watts. Yes there is some to be lost to the ballast one uses but. 175 watts of halide is no more expensive the 175 watts of T5, or PC. Watts is a measure of work done. If your using a magnetic ballast on your halides then, they will cost you a bit more then using an electronic ballast will. However,
3 175 watt halides running 8 hours a day for 31 days.......at the avg rate of .12cents/KWH means they will cost you about $16 bucks a month to run.
Don't forget about the other things that a tank uses, pumps, heater.......

 

[hawkfish203]

Yea the MH im looking at is 700watts and the T5 is 500watts so I guess the bill wont be that crazy of a difference and the MH light will allow me to put anything I want in the tank.