Lighting Requirements for BTA?

Hugh Mann

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I plan to eventually get myself a BTA to go with my clownfish, but I want to QT everything going into my DT. I have a 20 gallon tank, filters, etc, but what I don't have is a light. At least not a light capable of sustaining an anenome. Currently just using a pair of white and blue led bulbs for the fish. I know my DT lights can, as the guy I bought them with ran his reef with them.

Any suggestions on a cheap but effective light? Budget of approximately $100CAD.
I was thinking the Coralife Clip On, some reviews say they can grow anemones and coral, some reviews say it can't, but it's right in my price range.
 

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Assuming your qt tank is going to be a 10 gallon look into the aquakight led, I’ve kept nems with it with no problems
 
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Hugh Mann

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Would that still work for a small BTA you think? I hear they will move to wherever there is sufficient light and current for them, but just want to make sure it would be enough to keep it healthy before I buy anything. Cheapest I can find the Aqua Knight is $130.
 

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Honestly just get a clip on light at home depot with a 6500k bulb and a cheap timer. Naturally spend a few extra dollars on a "nicer" bulb. Led. Done.

Sometimes we over think things. Point it at the bta and don't fry it at first. It will do just fine. A lot of people think 6500k will look odd but it is ok.

No need to buy "fish" stuff for this situation. As a bonus you now have a work light for around the basement when not in use :)
 
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Honestly just get a clip on light at home depot with a 6500k bulb and a cheap timer. Naturally spend a few extra dollars on a "nicer" bulb. Led. Done.

Sometimes we over think things. Point it at the bta and don't fry it at first. It will do just fine. A lot of people think 6500k will look odd but it is ok.

No need to buy "fish" stuff for this situation. As a bonus you now have a work light for around the basement when not in use :)

I'm already using two clip on lights with A19 bulbs, I'm sure I can find a 6500k somewhere. The light I am currently using is 5000k. Any specific lumens, or I guess that's just a matter of how close it is to the bta.
Thanks, that is super helpful!
 

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The only reason I mentioned 6500k is that, I think, is a common day light bulb that is close to sunlight. A growers bulb. Probably easier to get then 10k. 5k is also fine.

You are basically just doing a spotlight type thing and the bta will soak up the light. But it can also be quite powerful in a tiny tank. Go easy at first!
 

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I plan to eventually get myself a BTA to go with my clownfish, but I want to QT everything going into my DT. I have a 20 gallon tank, filters, etc, but what I don't have is a light. At least not a light capable of sustaining an anenome. Currently just using a pair of white and blue led bulbs for the fish. I know my DT lights can, as the guy I bought them with ran his reef with them.

Any suggestions on a cheap but effective light? Budget of approximately $100CAD.
I was thinking the Coralife Clip On, some reviews say they can grow anemones and coral, some reviews say it can't, but it's right in my price range.

BTA's don't require a ton of light.

Something like this would work just fine for a simple qt tank

 
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Hugh Mann

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BTA's don't require a ton of light.

Something like this would work just fine for a simple qt tank



I have a couple small lights like that. Hell, I have a 165 watt grow light that's not being used right now. My only concern would be if I am also QTing a fish at the same time if the light spectrum would bother it or something?
 
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Hugh Mann

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The only reason I mentioned 6500k is that, I think, is a common day light bulb that is close to sunlight. A growers bulb. Probably easier to get then 10k. 5k is also fine.

You are basically just doing a spotlight type thing and the bta will soak up the light. But it can also be quite powerful in a tiny tank. Go easy at first!

I am sure I can find something like that, though from the below post my actual grow lights would work just as well. A more white spectrum would probably be a little nicer for any fish in there though. Thanks.
 

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Assuming your qt tank is going to be a 10 gallon look into the aquakight led, I’ve kept nems with it with no problems
Hi mate sorry to jump on I have aquaknight 40w led still haven't figured what light setting to keep on mixed reef, any help will be much appreciated thanks
 

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