Is my buddy dead?

[bues0022]

Before I got the new lights I only had 2 flourescent 15w each.

You got more lights, which is great, but they are both actinic - which doesn't provide much in terms of PAR for your tank. Bleached doesn't always mean an excess of light - in this case I'd say a contributing factor was that it was starved of light.

Also, xtlosx, the danger of your statement is a true newbie will read this, figure it's possible to put an anemone in a 2.5 week old tank, only to kill them. I've done the same thing too, put an anemone in a "new" tank - but it was really an "old tank in a new box". (extenuating circumstances forced this upon me) I also knew what I was looking for with a stressed anemone, and had an exit plan if things went south. I still will NEVER recommend putting an anemone in a newly cycled/cycling tank - even an "old tank in a new box". I also will never do this again if I can at all avoid it. The risk is too high.

 

[wnehez]

You got more lights, which is great, but they are both actinic - which doesn't provide much in terms of PAR for your tank. Bleached doesn't always mean an excess of light - in this case I'd say a contributing factor was that it was starved of light.

Also, xtlosx, the danger of your statement is a true newbie will read this, figure it's possible to put an anemone in a 2.5 week old tank, only to kill them. I've done the same thing too, put an anemone in a "new" tank - but it was really an "old tank in a new box". (extenuating circumstances forced this upon me) I also knew what I was looking for with a stressed anemone, and had an exit plan if things went south. I still will NEVER recommend putting an anemone in a newly cycled/cycling tank - even an "old tank in a new box". I also will never do this again if I can at all avoid it. The risk is too high.

I understand that the VHO's weren't providing enough light. I have the two MH running now with the VHO's. That should provide plenty of light. Hopefully its not too much:uhoh3: I think it should be alright tho. I want to start building my corals up so any opinions or suggestions on what corals are really nice and a beauty in the tank would be great!

 

[Rippinfrags]

Slow down a little bit with adding corals and you will save yourself alot of money and heartaches. You need to be doing weekly water changes and daily parameter checks before you are ready for corals, especially corals that are harder to care for. You should be checking several different parameters such as magnesium, alkalinity, calcium, ph and of course the basic ones ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Do what you want, but IMO our saltwater critters deserve the best possible care we can provide. In saying that do lots of research and don't trust all the info you get from a lfs. Your tank definitely was not ready for any type of anemone.