how much light

so my 55g tank after actually doing measurements and calculation with sump in back is really a 40g tank. i have some sps and lps my lights are hamilton compact 10000k/actinic (50/50) and than one that is just blue actinic. dimensions are 10.5 inches deep , 24 tall, 36 long is this to much light, ok or not enough and also i got a green bubble tip anenome is it ok for that? its a new tank and the stupid pet store said the anenome would be fine and they know my tank is only about 2 months old he seems fine but i figured i would ask. Any advise is welcomed. all the sps and lps seems to look good but i am mainly worried about the anenome? also how long should i have the day light on and actinic light on for him if i keep him? man i am asking alot here sorry
:-[

 

if your tank is 24 inches tall than Pc lighting is not strong enough, look at mh or LED for sps, and nems.

 

Yeah, PCs will not penetrate through 24" of water.... Be wary of LFS owners, they often don't know much and unfortunately all too often are more interested in paying their rent than learning it seems...

What type of anemone? If you don't know, do you have a picture?


Just a quick intro to lighting, your least expensive option is probably a 4 or 6 bulb T-5 fixture. such as this:
NOVA Extreme 36" T-5 Fixture 4 x 39W by Current USA* - AquaCave

or this:
36" 6x39W Nova Extreme PRO T5HO 3x10k/3x460nm Actinics by Current USA*(1080) - AquaCave

There are also more expensive ones, with more frill, if you want to spend money, but these will get the job done for sure.

If you have a hood, you could also do a DIY kit.

MHs would also be good. 2x175s would be fine. 2x150s if you don't mind having a light gradient and keeping corals that require more light up higher. 2x250s if you want to keep mostly "light loving" corals.

There are lots of options, but PCs are not on the list for a 24" tall tank. The reflector is what allows the light to penetrate and with a PC, the bulb is too big to allow both a decent reflector and enough bulbs to cover a given area.

 

+1 agree with this!

 

thanks for all the advice everyone. i have a green bubble tip anenome. I will chech into the light thanks again. Also my light fixture looks alot like the one you showed me has fans on top and is raised on the tank like that it is a 4 square pin bulb set up i can not tell from research if t5's come in 4 square pin and if so can i use this fixture ( it says its a coralife fixture thats all i can find) thanks

 

how are you growing sps and lps under pc's? have you had them long? if not i would upgrade to at least a 4 bulb t5 fixture to keep your corals alive. but preferrably halides or led's or even a 6 bulb t5 fixture for great sps health

 

Alot of LPS can pretty decently be kept under PC.

Many sps can be kept under pc fixtures. Pavonas are a lower light sps and will do fine and
some types of monti as well. Just need to research your coral before you buy it. Some sps will do well but turn brown like something fierce.

Sure T5's and MH are the preferred way to go, but you can keep them under PC.

There was a time what all this hobby had was flourescent tubes and reefers that kept LPS and SPS were around then.

 

you can keep anything if yo have enough bulbs, what im thinking is he hasnt had the sps very long. and im also guessing his fixture is a two bulb. which is no way sufficient for any sps. i have kept sps in a 20 gallon tank. but i had a 6 bulb pc fixture with built in reflectors

 

so i would need to get a new light fixture too for the HD or t5's i can't use my 4 pi coral life?
i don't want my lps or two sps to die i just am so new and obviously the lfs is not much help they said my pc would work fine my lps and sps do seem to be doing well i have had them about 3 weeks maybe its just to short of a time to notice a decline in them?

 

if your tank was shallower a pc fixture would be qdequate, but for a tank of that depth i would get at least a 4 bulb t5 fixture like i said. and those arent much more than a pc fixture