causes for anemone to shrivel up when lights on

[Jerdel]

What would cause my anemones to shrivel up durng the day and expand at night? All 3 of them do this almost like clockwork everyday and all of them do it pretty much close to the same time to one another. I was told my lights, 26 cool whites and 39 royal blues for my 120g might not be enough and may be the cause of the problems Im having, but if that was the case wouldnt they be expanding to get more light during the day when the lights are on insted of shrinking? I want to make sure about my lights before I upgrade them to something even brighter to fix this situation. The lights are controlled by my apex, maybe my ramp up time is too quick and freaks them out?

Thanks

 

[worm5406]

How far after the ramp up do they shrink?

Are you running at 100%?

Just whites and blues or any other color?

Where is the SUN and any reflections they may get?

 

[Jerdel]

No sun or reflections, tank is in the basement. Whites are running at 65% with a 50 minute ramp time and blues at 80% with a 70 minute ramp. Ive tried the whites at 95% for a few days last week and didnt really notice any changes in their behavior so I thought I would dim them again. No other led colors, just royal blues and cool whites. Im not too sure on how long after the ramp up they shrivel but I would guess 1-2 hours after.

 

[worm5406]

What is their feeding time? (if spot fed) and compared to other tank inhabitants?

 

[Jerdel]

Tank gets fed every afternoon and anemones are being spot fed a small peice of fresh shrimp or scallop about 3-4 times a week

 

[worm5406]

What are your water levels and last water change?

Can you try to put window screen or even light % tint above where one/two are are see if this changes their pattern. Do you have night lights?

 

[Jerdel]

I always do about a 15-20% change every two weeks and just did an extra one yesterday to see if it would have any effect but it didnt. All parameters were spot on when I checked a few days ago. Corals doing great, fish, snails, hermits and shrimp doing great. I do have night lights, 4 blue leds, and have started to turn them off at night to see if that would have an effect.

 

[DrDNA]

Try only running the white bulbs. I have had several anemomes react very negatively to blue bulbs.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Try only running the white bulbs. I have had several anemomes react very negatively to blue bulbs.

Sorry I disagree, my anemones really enjoy when I just have my royal blue LEDs on. I have never read anything about the blue spectrum being hard on anemones?

 

[Rippinfrags]

What would cause my anemones to shrivel up durng the day and expand at night? All 3 of them do this almost like clockwork everyday and all of them do it pretty much close to the same time to one another. I was told my lights, 26 cool whites and 39 royal blues for my 120g might not be enough and may be the cause of the problems Im having, but if that was the case wouldnt they be expanding to get more light during the day when the lights are on insted of shrinking? I want to make sure about my lights before I upgrade them to something even brighter to fix this situation. The lights are controlled by my apex, maybe my ramp up time is too quick and freaks them out?

Thanks

I would try ramping your leds up slower and lower the intensity. I think your shocking your bta's with too much light.

 

[DrDNA]

I would try ramping your leds up slower and lower the intensity. I think your shocking your bta's with too much light.

That's entirely possible too... from what you describe, your anemones are obviously not liking something about your lighting. Maybe try cutting the intensity in half and see what happens?