Tube Anenomes

"StringerBell" wrote in message ...
Thanks for your reply. I got a nice 65 gallon tank as a gift---so space
shouldnt be a problem. Can you be more specific about the types of lights
you are using? What is the general price range. What is the brand--where can
I get them and NOT get ripped off? The guy in the store said proper lighting
would be upwards of $500!!!
Also---is there some other kind of device I would need beside the Cannister
and Wet-Dry filters? Like I said---I`m not planning on Corals---all I want
to do is keep 1 healthy host anemonie. THANKS!

I started with 30 gallons tank, it is 3 foot long, so I used
Coralife fixture as the single source of light... It had one
"smart" pc 96W bulb. Smart means simply it is half 10000K and
half "actinic". Then, I upgraded the lights to a home-made fixture
taking two similar 96W bulbs. This time I could save some $$$
and use single 10000K and single actinic ("smart" tubes are more
$$$). I got 2 96W kits from http://www.ahsupply.com/96watt.htm
and put them into this home-made box. It does not look very pretty
but it does not look ghetto either ;-)

Your 65 gallons tank is probably 4 feet long, so just pick
a power compact fixture of the proper lenght/width...
96W bulbs are out of the question because they will be too
short. You could pick a fixture with two or better 4 65W bulbs.

Instead of listening to "the guy" in the store check the prices
yourself! This one will cost you $200 fully assembled:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=ES53106
It might be not enough for the very tall tank - but you
can always try to build your rockwork to provide some room
close to lights for the anemone to settle to its liking...
To get more light pick a fixture with a parabolic reflector
instead of the flat one. The Coralife from the link above
looks like it has flat reflectors, but I had a different one
so I am not sure. Ask the people in the MarineDepot store.
Maybe they will recomend you 48" long fixture with parabolic
reflectors - they will be much better for taller tank like yours.

If you are handy, you can order "retrofit kits" and build your
canopy yourself. Retrofits consist of all parts needed to fit
the "empty box" with the light: AC cables, wire nuts, power supplies
(sometimes called "ballasts"), mirrored aluminium reflectors,
all hooks/clips to hold the bulbs and detailed instructions on
how to hook it up together...
The benefit of ordering kit is that you can put as many bulbs
as you like of the kind you choose... Factory made lamps do
look nicer, but if you are on the tight budget than the DIY
(Do It Yourself) is the way to go...