light good enough for anemones???

[staylor21]

Hi everyone. Well I have an important question that needs to be aswered and it has to do with this light I recently got. I have a 55 gallon saltwater and I am planning on getting about three corals and two anemones. I recently recieved this light from this guy who is moving away and I wanted to know if it is going to be strong enough to keep the corals and anemones alive. I believe that is it is a brandless light but is quite strong and I just wanted to get someone elses opinion on it. Thanks and here are the specs:
MHS 48"
T6 High Output Aquarium Compact Light 216 watts
Approx Fixture Size: 47 1/4"L x 7"W x 2 1/2"H
Output:
Advance T6 high output 54W x4, Total 216W
Dual lunar LED module x4.
Feature:
Individual power cords & power switches for T6 bulbs, and lunarLED.
German made light reflecter.
Non-corrosive coated housing
Mounting legs
Free Bulbs: 4x T6 HO 54W bulbs, 8x Lunar LED bulbs.
Bulb setting available in:
2x 12000K Premium daylight. 2x True Actinic

 

[bang guy]

It depends a lot of what species of Corals and Anemone you want.
Just my opinion but that lighting is just barely adequate for a Bubble-Tip Anemone but not any of the other hosting Anemone. By just barely I mean if all other environmental conditions are perfect and stay that way and bulbs are promptly replaced as they age then the Anemone has a good chance of thriving.
Most LPS corals will be OK, but again, it's just barely in my opinion.
Most SPS would not be an option but there are many SPS that can do well with less lighting.
The bottom line is that you are going to have to be picky and anything that requires intense lighting isn't a good candidate for your tank.

 

[rad]

sounds like plenty of light to me for an anemone. I wouldnt be too scared to try one, not a carpet obviously but a bubble tip or a long tentacle would be fine IMO. and low light SPS may do good at the top of your rocks, but those in my opinion aren't much fun, especially if your getting in to corals for the first time. go with some softies, and LPS. thats what would really thrive under those lights with minimal up keep.

 

[staylor21]

should I be leaving the any of the actinic or white lights on at night or is just leaving my LED lights on okay?....oh any suggestions on a lighting schedule?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by staylor21
http:///forum/post/2689022
should I be leaving the any of the actinic or white lights on at night or is just leaving my LED lights on okay?....oh any suggestions on a lighting schedule?
Do what's convenient and suits your viewing schedule. I'd suggest having all lights on at least 8 hours and no more than 12 hours. At night it should be LEDs or dark. Actinics put out a lot of light, it's just difficult for a human eye to detect the intensity because of the far blue spectrum.
A lot of people likt to have the actinics come on before the daylights and shut off after the daylights. It has no benefit to the tank but it's a very nice effect.