Lighting recommendations for my 29 Gallon Tall for RBTA

[burton117]

Hey Guys,

I am thinking about getting some new lights for my 29 gallon tank, as my RBTA has been not growing in quite the way that I would like.

Current Equipment:
AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer w/ Maxijet 1200 pump
2 Maxijet 1200 Pumps with custom Filter Guards
24" 2x65W Coralife LUNAR Aqualight Deluxe Series:
1 x Actinic, and 1 x 10,000K daylight
2 x 3/4W Blue LEDs
1 small cooling fan on top of the tank
Hydor Theo Heater 150W

I have daylight/Actinic on for 10 hours with one hour before and after with Actinic only to transition to moonlight.

This picture was taken six months ago:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc98/burton117/100_0705.jpg

As you can see here, my RBTA was looking great!

Now, my RBTA still looks pretty decent, but is more whitish with hot pink tips. The tentacles have definitely shrunk from six inches or so to one inch each. This has probably occured over the past six months or so!

I have changed the bulbs, but with no apparent effect. There is a glass top to the aquarium between the light and the water which probably is reducing the light, but my current light setup doesn't reach from side to side of the tank. Hence one of the reasons I would like to upgrade my light fixture.

Sorry I don't have a updated picture, but I was wondering what would be the best light suggestion to promote healthy growth for my tank size.

Any recommendations?

[rachenbrazil]

Are you feeding your rbbt ?

[garygb]

If I were you, I would consider a 4 bulb T-5 HO fixture. In that shallow of a tank, you should be able to do fine with one of the less expensive fixtures. Individual reflectors make for more intense lighting, but again, in that small of a tank, you could get by without it considering you have softies and a BTA.

Very nice looking tank there, btw.

[burton117]

Rachenbrazil:

I am definitely feeding my RBTA, but more like once a week or so with a silver side, Mysis shrimp, Rod's food, etc...


garygb:

Thanks for the recommendation of the 4 bulb t-5 HO fixture! I would like one of those all in one systems much like the one I currently have. I am pretty happy with my Coralife.

I would like an all in one fixture with moon lights, actinic and full spectrum, with individual switches for each so each can be on timers.

any specific product recommendations?

[miniwhinny]

I have a 29 gallon too just like yours so I can help you. I'm using a 30 inch Sunpod 150w MH 14,000k phoenix. The phoenix is quite blue but I LOVE it. My tanks newly set up but I'm planning exactly what you have..a RBTA. I've ran this light on my other tank for a year (new bulb now) and everything I put under it thrived. Here's a pic from yesterday. That clam has been under this light for a year.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/LTFmini/thread20.jpg

[miniwhinny]

forgot to add...no actinics - not needed with the 14,000k phoenix but there are 6 white and 6 blue LED's on seperate switches.

Here's a shot of the light fixture

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/LTFmini/thread15.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/LTFmini/thread16.jpg

[garygb]

I just checked, it doesn't look like Nova Extreme Pro T-5 (that fixture does have the individual reflectors) comes in a 30" length. Mini's tank looks great, maybe you should follow her recommendation unless you don't like MH. If you wanted something a little more white/yellow, you could go with a 10,000K MH.