How far from light for crocea . . .

[jeffj]

In a 20H I have a spot directly under a 175watt ushio 10k bulb that I want to put a clam - either a 3-4" crocea or maxima, but it is 16" below the light. I have been keeping a small crocea for about 6-8 months now in that tank, but midway up . . . I could pull my 250 Iwasaki 6500k setup off another tank, but like the ushio color and would have to supplement the 65k. Any suggestions ? I am leaning toward the 250 Iwasaki with NO actinic supplement the more I think about it . . . but wouldn't mind keeping the setup as is - 175 Ushio w/advance ballast. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

[FijiKen]

I've heard that placing them 8" from the light source for 4-5Watts a gallon would be good. Maxima's and Crocrea's like hard surfaces with the Crocrea tending to bury itself into the rock. Suggestion for the Maxima is to place it on a flat piece of coral rubble and then you can move it around the tank as it gets bigger. Crocrea will do well in 6500K because they are naturally closer to the shore. Heard that Maxima will do OK from 6500K to 10000K because the larger size maxima can be found deeper. The better view of the claim and to see the great colors of the mantle would require placing the claim lower and using the 250 watt lamp. Look up articles or read the book on marine claims by Knopp and you'll find recommendations for lighting and placement.

 

[jeffj]

Thanks for the response . . . I got Knop's book just the other day and have been doing a lot of internet searching but was looking for some first hand rec's and advice . . .

 

[jeffj]

ahh, I went ahead and put my 65k Iwasaki 250 set up on it today . . . I'm sure that will be fine. I may throw in on a NO 10 or 20k purely for visual . . .