Anemones and Lighting

[Pchromis]

Hi all.
Back in September, 09, I upgraded from a 37g reef tank to a 95 g reef tank.
4 years ago I started with one bubble anemone and they split into 4 anemones. They thrived unbelievably in the 37g and I will attribute that to the 130w PC lighting. I eventually wound up with a mated pair of percula clowns.
But with the upgrade I went to 312w T5 lighting using a combo of blue plus, acintic and daylight lighting. Fish and corals are thriving in the tank, but the 4 anemones have stayed in a near dead state shriveled to the size of a half dollar. They do move around to less intense lighted areas of tank, but have yet to extend themselves. This, I will attribute to the more intense lighting.

Mu question is...is there anything I can do for them or do I just wait for them to die?
Also are there other anemones that will adapt to this lighting?

 

[Toddrtrex]

That lighting isn't all that much, but the issue is that you increased your lighting too fast. I would suggest getting some window screening and placing 3 layers b/t your tank and the lights. You can use egg create to support it, then I would remove a layer every 5-7 days.

Back when I kept BTAs in my 75 I had then under 2*250 MH + 4*54 T5s, so your lights aren't too much.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

Check your pH or salinity. Keep the salinity at 1.024-1.026 and keep the pH at 8.1 in the morning to 8.4 at night. If you are feeding them large amounts more than once a week, the food is probably rotting inside of them and upsetting them. If this is the case they'll be dead in a few days. I accidentally did this to a few of my anemones once and they died... But now I know and they are all happy! Except my 10"+, healthy, colorful GBTA - he's always wanting more food and if you don't feed him at least 2-3 times a week he'll start to eat himself... Yeah IDK... but he apparently think's that he's yummaliscious!

 

[Pchromis]

Thanks for that info. Do you still think there's a chance after 5 months?

 

[traveller7]

If this situation has continued for more then 6 weeks, it is not the lighting alone, especially if they have moved to less intense areas already.

Do they open/extend out when the lights are out?
What sort of dosing, calcium, alk, pH, ranges have you migrated to support Reef targets?
Running carbon in an attempt to reduce alleopathy?
Signs of predation?
Add any shrimp, cowries, other non-coral inverts?
Add any fish to the mix since the upgrade?

Off hand, I'd offer the general opinion it is the water conditions over the lighting and would post a picture(s), list of water variables, additives, and tank mates.

Good luck.

 

[traveller7]

Thanks for that info. Do you still think there's a chance after 5 months?

If they are still alive, yes. If it has been 5 months, lighting is not the only issue. It may contribute to the stressful situation, but something else is going on.

My BTAs adapted consistently from 3x28wt PC to 400wt MH in much shorter time.

 

[Pchromis]

As i said earlier, the tank is thriving with corals and fish. They move, just never open.

 

[traveller7]

As i said earlier, the tank is thriving with corals and fish. They move, just never open.

If you'd like a hand chasing down the problem vs. a bunch of folks guessing, post some pictures and answer some starter questions:

Do they open/extend out when the lights are out?
What sort of dosing, calcium, alk, pH, ranges have you migrated to support Reef targets?
Running carbon in an attempt to reduce alleopathy?
Signs of predation?
Add any shrimp, cowries, other non-coral inverts?
Add any fish to the mix since the upgrade?

Best of luck.

 

[this is me]

I'm curious as to how you achieve this? 8.4 at night while the main lights are out? Even if you are dripping Kalk through out the night, the PH would spike when the lights are on.

.......and keep the pH at 8.1 in the morning to 8.4 at night.......

 

[this is me]

I'm sure you can shut part of the 312w T5 off. Maybe use half of the power and see how the BTAs react then increase it gradually.

Hi all.
Back in September, 09, I upgraded from a 37g reef tank to a 95 g reef tank.
4 years ago I started with one bubble anemone and they split into 4 anemones. They thrived unbelievably in the 37g and I will attribute that to the 130w PC lighting. I eventually wound up with a mated pair of percula clowns.
But with the upgrade I went to 312w T5 lighting using a combo of blue plus, acintic and daylight lighting. Fish and corals are thriving in the tank, but the 4 anemones have stayed in a near dead state shriveled to the size of a half dollar. They do move around to less intense lighted areas of tank, but have yet to extend themselves. This, I will attribute to the more intense lighting.

Mu question is...is there anything I can do for them or do I just wait for them to die?
Also are there other anemones that will adapt to this lighting?