lighting for anemones, soft corals

[new2us]

:help: Hey guys - I need some help and you all seem to do an awesome job at answering some pretty crazy questions, so I thought I would give it a whirl:
Put up our very first saltwater tank around the first of October, fully cycled with fish and inverts - curing some LR now to add in another week or so. 55 gallon tank (20" tall) with crushed coral for substrate (which will be another topic later). Currently, I am running the lights that came with (18" and 15W x 2 ). The top is a split top with the plastic divider bar on top. I want to put an anemone in, for my sweet little Sebae misses it greatly. (He keeps "feeding" his plastic plant which requires frequent cleaning. ) I know I need to wait until my tank has been up for a few more months, but having trouble with the whole lighting issue. Recently, purchased 2 50/50 bulbs (6500K trichromatic daylight phosphor and actinic 420 phospor - whatever that means - usually girls don't do so well on the technical stuff). I was told by several that this would be enough for an anemone, but after perusing this site, I am not so sure.
Do I need stronger than that?
If so, what type and what would be most cost effective way to do this without melting that plastic divider? (thought about something on "feet", but I have a housecat that might make lunch out of my little fish that way)
Any and all comments and suggestions would be appreciated as I do not know whether to proceed or just keep cleaning the plastic plant.

 

[snipe]

I dont know 100% but "I" think that 30 watts is way to low for an anemone. I would suggest at least 4x55 power compacts. But im not an expert so I would wait for someone to reply and correct my judgment or stand behind it.

 

[new2us]

Thanks so much for the response - had decided it must be a stupid question.
Yea, that's what it looks like from what I have read, but my problem is really with the actual light conversion itself since I have this stupid split-top aquarium - do not want to melt that
plastic divider by getting one long unit, but unsure of the safety or options otherwise.............:notsure:

 

[sula]

I would recommend one of those units that includes everything, and get the legs to lift it a little up from your water surface. If you're worried about your cat going fishing, you could get a glass top.

 

[new2us]

Sounds like another good idea - I'm off to the pet place tomorrow so I can see some of these options. Things like
this are why us newbies would be well advised to plan waaaayyy ahead when setting up the tank - to save extra trouble and expense in conversions - would rather have done it right the first time, but the guy at the pet place assured me no problems with anemones and some soft corals with this setup.
Of course, this is the guy who originally sold me the tank, substrate, first salt, filter, etc. I did notice that he was not as helpful after the sale as he was before - - - - which is where this site comes in awfully handy. I'll do some hands-on research at the original store and then come back here to buy now. Lesson learned.
Thanks a lot for your help, Sula!

 

[sula]

Well, you actually may end up wanting more options than what your LFS offers. May want to research whats available on-line. One name brand you could do a search on is Coralife Aqualight - that'll give you some hits to websites that sell a whole variety of light hoods.

 

[sula]

Oh and one more thing - if your long-term goal is an anemone you may need to consider MH lighting. A lot depends upon what type of anemone you'd like, as some require more light than others. Now is a good time to consider that, rather than after you buy the lights, only to realize that it's not enough for the anemone you had your heart set on. Check the Clownfish and Anemones section - You'll find many threads debating this very issue.
Good Luck

 

[new2us]

I will definitely take that into consideration - guess I know where my Christmas money is going!!! But the Sebae is worth it - he was the first fish we got (after the tank cycled with damsels) and the reason we purchased him was that he was enjoying his anemone and acting all silly on our first trip to the store - then someone bought the anemone and not him, so the next trip he looked sooo lonely without an anemone. It is amazing to me the relationship that they form. Of course, the shrimp loves that he feeds the fake plant because he knows right where to go for leftovers when Sebae's not looking!
Hey, one more question while we are at it - - - since I don't have my LR built up yet and the fish only have a few good pieces to get under for "shade" - will the PC, VHO, or MH lighting hurt the fish ?? I read on another forum where someone was gradually increasing the light output on them so as not to "shock" the tank but didn't know if they meant for the corals or the fish as well.

 

[sula]

I think you worry more about your corals when increasing the light - as you say, the fish can always move to a shady spot if they need to.
Do you happen to know what type of anemone your clown was using as a host in the store?

 

[new2us]

Okay, then maybe that part will be easy.
I sure wish I knew for absolute certain what kind it was, but I am almost positive that it was an LTA. They have another one now that looks a lot like it and is absolutely stunning but my tank is still too new and the lights aren't ready so we'll have to wait a couple months to try to find one. I would say that I would just find an anemone that could live on lower lighting but I'm afraid that Sebae wouldn't host it and I'd still be in a pickle with insufficient lighting and a lonely clown! However, since he's not so discriminating that he will take up with a plastic plant, maybe I should not be so concerned about that ........

I checked out the clowns/anemone forum and did get some info on the specific wattages and such, just not much on the setup. Seems there is still some gray area on VHO vs. MH - opinions abound. Even thought about just selling my new tank and buying a pre-owned with lighting and all ready.

 

[sula]

I know exactly what you mean - there's a LOT of gray area, and some people really seem to feel that MH is the only way to go. However it also seems that VHO works just fine as long as you have enough watts per gallon. I think an LTA is not too terribly demanding - did you check out the "if you are keeping an anemone" thread? It gives you a really good idea of the range of conditions under which anemones are being kept. There definitely does not seem to be just one right answer, except for "the more light, the better"

 

[new2us]

Hey, Sula - just wanted to thank you again for your suggestions. Bang Guy gave me some tips on his experience with that plastic bar in the middle as well as a suggestion for some specific lighting change off a 660 ice cap ballast (3 or 4 x 110W VHO) so between his advice and yours about the feet and encouraging me to upgrade for long-term's sake, I have a plan and that's a lot more than I had 2 days ago!
Anyway, I really appreciate the help!

 

[snipe]

Originally posted by new2us
Thanks so much for the response - had decided it must be a stupid question.
Yea, that's what it looks like from what I have read, but my problem is really with the actual light conversion itself since I have this stupid split-top aquarium - do not want to melt that
plastic divider by getting one long unit, but unsure of the safety or options otherwise.............:notsure:
I have the same problem with my tank same exact thing! So I have decided to make a canopy that is made from wood to match my stand and to raise it about 4 or 5 inches. Then I am going to put glass tops on it and buy a 48" pc fixters with at least 4x55 "would like to see 4x96 though "there hard to find used"." If you do this or just replace your exsicting lids and stuff with glass and buy a 48incher the only reason I am making mine raise is cause I cant fit the lights in there and still raise my lid lol. narrow tank

 

[new2us]

Hi, Snipe! Nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem -you know, misery loves company kinda' thing...
I wrote to Oceanic to question them about the set up and this is the jest of their reply:
'We have a 110 watt 48” power compact light strip available, but you would need to get glass tops for your aquarium. You can use two of these light fixtures to obtain 220 watts. There are no upgrades available for the plastic light hoods.'
On another thread, Bang Guy suggests foregoing the glass top - hasn't said why yet, so I'm not sure either way there - don't know enough about the pros and cons to make a good decision yet. (If you want, you could search my name and find the thread - think it is under clowns/anemones as "Sebae hosts" - started out a little different question).
So you said you couldn't raise your lid without raising the canopy because of the narrow tank - mine's about 12 1/2" - yours the same??