Do I need special lighting for these?

[yuji]

I have 2 anemones (i don't know what type they are), 1 sponge, 1 polyp coral.

[jesperlam]

Anemone needs intense lighting. Poly corals only opens when theres lights. Sponge i'm not sure, maybe some reefer can advise. But most reefer wont recommend to keep sponge.

[weileong]

I hope you didn't buy a carpet. These are known to be fish eaters. Many bros here kanna already.

How abt a photo for us to help you ID it?

[clownman]

Anemone needs intense lighting. Poly corals only opens when theres lights. Sponge i'm not sure, maybe some reefer can advise. But most reefer wont recommend to keep sponge.

sponge prefers low lighting.

[hammy]

yuo , read somewhere that sponge like shady places instead ... correct mi if i am wrong ...

er , as for mh , i will advice u to get mh as it is the best lighting u can provide for ur tank in case u wanna keep light demanding coral or even clam later ....but with mh , u will need chiller ....

t5 could be next alternative too ...

[yuji]

what is T5?

[huiwen]

T-5 are also FL, except the output is higher, therefore its much brighter then normal FL tube.

You can do a seach in the forum, and you will be able to learn what you need to know i have since learn alot from this forum

Cheers,

[yuji]

I thought of a MH for my 2 ft. Anyone know where to get it and the cost for it?

[ryz]

sponge dun need light but dun have any preference.. many would advise to keep sponges in shady areas so as to pervent algae growth on it. Algal growth will smother it and impede it's growth or even killing certain parts of it.

[JuzzMarine]

I thought of a MH for my 2 ft. Anyone know where to get it and the cost for it?

I would suggest that you go with T5 or PL, if chiller is not in your purchase list. MH will heat up your tank very fast.

Even with T5 or PL. A fan has to be there to blow at the tank's water surface, so as to keep the temp down thru evaporation.

But remember, lighting is only part of the equation. Keeping quality water parameter is another part of it too

[yuji]

wow, you mean using MH would increase the temperature of the water so much till i would require a chiller???

hmm.. maybe i should forget abt MH then.

as for T5, is it just the bulb that i change or must i change my entire light including the casing for the lights?

[shiraz]

hmm u have to change everything... since the wattage is higher, u need a bigger ballast.. eAN has nice ATI retrofitted T5 sets... maybe u would wanna go take a look there?

[yuji]

what is ATI retrofitted?

*sorry, i'm really very new*

[shiraz]

means the ATI (brand of T5 tubes) fitted onto a holder.. then u can just put the whole thing on the hood of your tank.... hmm maybe u would like to read some of the pinned stuff that has been put up here.. infomative stuff