Carpet moves a lot

[stefannie]

(I HAVE THIS POSTED IN ANOTHER THREAD THAT WASN'T THE CORRECT/BEST ONE)

I have this large carpet anemone that I've had for some time now (little over a year maybe).. Has 2 happy clowns that go wherever it goes.. but that is my problem, it moves SO much around my tank. The guy at the local store said they shouldn't move as much as mine does. Please is this normal? It's 180gal with Current Orbit Marine LED lighiting (at the moment i don't know what the salinity is or any of the other parameters), and my water changes are like clock work every 3 weeks (i have . It use to be quite green (as i will post pictures) but he has always been a good strong eatter (chopped up silver sliders, brine, squid chunks) and has grown. 1-2 months after getting him the clowns took to him like white on rice! lol I can't say i've ever noticed him to ever to be "sick" he maintains his shape (not deflated unless maybe when i wasn't around). I had posted a picture and there was some cyano alge (that was just a one time deal when i went longer on a water change than normal).

 

[stefannie]

Here ar a few pictures. The one where he is his greenest is when i first got him.

 

[Breadman03]

The Lack of color suggests insufficient lighting is a possibility.

 

[stefannie]

Yeah? Before I got him I had just regular tube lighting and was suggested to upgrade if I wanted corals and so forth. . I'll look into that thank you

 

[cyclenut]

I can't tell from your pictures, but from what I've read, carpets (Stichodactyla haddoni) like to bury their foot in the sand. If he's moving around and you are able to freely move him, dig a hole in the sand where it meets rock and place his foot in there and see if that helps. Agreed that lighting may be an issue as well, but you really should get your parameters tested.

 

[stefannie]

Yeah he moves on his own I don't know if I put him somewhere he'll stay. . There is at least 3 inches of sand maybe more in some areas.

 

[addictedreefer]

Not enough light. That's why he keeps moving (trying to get more light). That nem is severely bleached and in serious trouble if you don't upgrade your lighting. When you do, be sure to acclimate slowly, using eggcrate or some other screen and gradually increase intensity over a week or two. He will also benefit from regular feedings.

 

[stefannie]

What do you suggest because I was trying to find and compare. Everyone says their the "best lighting for reef"..

 

[stefannie]

So when I consider lighting I do have these other lil bodies living here add well:

7 of these rose guys scattered around the tank:

 

[Slickcg33]

So when I consider lighting I do have these other lil bodies living here add well:

7 of these rose guys scattered around the tank:

This first image is a coral which does not require light.
The other two are bleached anemones. In case you arent familiar "bleached" is just slang for the anemone being slightly transparent or translucent. This is because the beneficial bacteria and Zoa inside of them has been expelled. If those anemones were healthy you would not be able to see through their tissue.

Read up on lighting requirements for corals. There are plenty options out there these days.

 

[addictedreefer]

For the light-loving inhabitants of your tank I would recommend either metal halide, a powerful multi-bulb T5 fixture, or powerful LEDs (ecotech radions or similar). Anything less won't cut it.

 

[stefannie]

I completely understand the term, since now I'm seeing the lights are the problem for my original concern. I'll look into it.

 

[stefannie]

Just an update, I've since got ecotech Gen3 pro.. Acclimated the tank and the large carpet now hides in the very back and hasn't moved for a good month and a half - two months. . And the nitrates went wild (got that under control ) but no anemone. . Lol so just a lil update

 

[OrionN]

The anemone have not moved meaning that it have enough light now. Too bad that it decided to move tot he back. Maybe you can rearrange the rock to bring him to the front.
You have a narrow long tank, maybe remove the rock near the anemone would be sufficient. If he attache to the rock, then it is easy to just turn the rock to face the front.

 

[stefannie]

I know right! Of all spots! ! Lol I'll have to play around with the arrangements of it all