MH help for RBTA

[asharp13]

i am looking into developing an anemone/clown only tank. i know about the establishment process and maturity of the tank and so forth. my question is about lighting. i am looking at a smaller tank, 5,10,20 gallons and wanted to put a single MH on it. i have been looking at the jbj K2 Viper 70w 14,000k MH clamp on. is this a good choice? what is the rule of thumb for watts per gallon? what spectrum will the RBTA do best under? 10k, 14k, 20k? does anyone have any thoughts or advice i should keep in mind when picking out a bulb?

 

[nemo22]

The smaller the tank, of course. the less bright the light can be. I would look into a HO T5 light for a tank less than 15 gallons, bacause of price & energy.

 

[asharp13]

how many watts should i shoot for?. also is the coralife 9" Mini Aqualight a T5? good choice? i am also looking at the 18" Current Nova Extreme any thoughts on that one?

 

[nemo22]

i would say 100-150w would do. both lights are good fixtures, depending on distance away from tank, determines whether you need a fan on it.

 

[small triggers]

for anemones you want to be between 3 to 5 watts per gallon, but this also depend on the strength of the bulb, depth of the tank, where the anemone is in the tank....so may variable, a 20g tank with a 150watt metal halide would be more than enough...or say a 15g w/ a 70watt... the only thing i wouldn't try is a regular bulb or a compact flourescent,, anything else, T5, T5HO, MH you could possible do a CF with a reflector...

 

[steelgluer]

As for lighting here is a 75 gallon with 4 t5 lights with indv reflectors. That is 2.88 per gallon if you want to go that way with calculating lighting by the watt per gallon. So I would say go with t5 there cheaper on the electric bill and just as good as halide.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/306516/75-gallon-with-only-4-t5-54-watt