Ritteri lighting question

[M.Maddox]

How goes it, Anthony? Still insanely busy? Had a great time at IMAC Will you be at MACNA 2006?

And an abrupt subject change...

I'm setting up a ritteri species tank. Going for an oddly shaped 90 gallon most likely, (48"X iforget X 20H") with a closed loop manifold driven by a Sequence Dart (3.8kgph I think), dsb, 55 gallon sump, etc. I'm sparing no expense (new job ). My question is lighting - I was considering all T5's, as the tank isn't going to be that deep (20") with a 5-6" dsb, but I'm still hesitant. (Never used anything but halides). Was considering 6-8 54w bulbs. If I went the T5 route I'd build a little rock structure to keep the anemone in the top 8" or so. Do you this this is acceptable? If not, I was considering either 2x 175w halide pendants, or 2x 250w pendants (was thinking 250 probably isn't necessary due to the shallow water, but I know ritteri's like light, so I thought I'd get another opinion).

Going to let the tank go dsb + LR for several months before I add anything, and then the ritteri will be the first. I plan on having fun with lots of micro invert innoculations ^^.

Any input?

Thanks, as always.

Edit: Do T5's run cooler than halides when the power consumption is equal? If so, I would prefer to use the T5's if possible.

[Anthony Calfo]

I would rarely say that MH are mandatory for anything... but I may need to make an exception here. Ritteri anemones are some of the most light demanding cnidarians in the entire hobby. I honestly regret seeing them imported, as most folks fail to keep them successfully beyond dismal import survivability.

I have faith that you will make this a good go.

My advice is high wattage warm colored MH. 5000-7000K ideally, but at least no warmer than 10k K

about 10 watts per gallon should do the trick... and the 175 watt lamps might be OK here for how shallow this tank is.

I will also be at MACNA 2006 regardless of speaking (if invited) or not (attendee)

[M.Maddox]

Neither of my lighting schemes meet 10 watts per gallon...but I did figure I'd need the halide intensity here. From what I've read, it seems overkill on the light seems best for ritteri's, even though I sure as heck don't do that for anything else.

I would vastly prefer the 175 watters, less heat and power consumption, but I'm wary. I'll make sure the ritteri is pretty high. I had definitely planned on lower kelvin temps (nothing above 10k for sure).

Should I avoid the species entirely? It will be a species tank, so hopefully no long term problems if I can keep it alive for the first year or so.

Thanks again, see you at MACNA!

[captbunzo]

Jumping on the thread, can a 20" deep tank with T5 HO be sufficient to keep a wide variety of stuff, including some SPS (if kept nearer to the top) and clams?

[M.Maddox]

Originally posted by captbunzo
Jumping on the thread, can a 20" deep tank with T5 HO be sufficient to keep a wide variety of stuff, including some SPS (if kept nearer to the top) and clams?

Definitely. I have some maximas and some monti's growing like crazy under PCs.

[Anthony Calfo]

I know you to be diligent, Michael... I would not talk you out of this ritteri for a species tank... but I would talk most folks out of it. Your call, bro.

[M.Maddox]

I'm just going to go with a haddoni. I've seen some nice red and blue ones. Thanks for the info, as always!

[pasenah]

anthony,
i have read that ritteri like blue in their light but here you say low kelvin light is better,is there a history of ritteri surviving better under low k lights?i would think lower k as on the reef they are high up .
thanks
ben

[Anthony Calfo]

it is categorically a dismal anemone for aquarium use (and collection)!

They come from very high light regions of the reef.

They need bright, warm daylight. Period, my friend.

After you give the 10+ watts per gallon of warm daylight, you can then add enough blue to please your aesthetic preference.

[firefish128]

I have had a ritteri for 3 years, he moved directly under a 400w 20k about 10 inches from the bulb. it also enjoys lots of current.

[pasenah]

hi firefish ,
do you have any other k bulbs over your tank?
thanks
ben

[firefish128]

just the 2 400w and 2 40w actinics.