Light distance from water

[I'mRisenAquaRat]

I’m on my way to unsuccessfully keeping two RBTAs .

The first one has been in my tank for two years. In the first 3 months I got him he started shrinking and bleaching. He is now about the size of a quarter. He started out about 6 inches.

My second is 3 months old now. He started out 10 inches and is now 4 inches and bleaching.

I have T5s and have tried different combinations of them. None seem to help.

Water conditions are fine and they eat.

Here is the main thing I’m trying to find out â€"œ they both seem to hide from the light. They close during the day or hide under a rock and then come out and open at night. I know T5 are not too much light. BUT my lights are only two inches from the top of the water. The tank depth is 14 inches or so.

Has anyone experimented with their light distance from the water?

 

[garygb]

Have you tried putting the fixture at 8 inches or so above the water? Also, could you shade the anemones some and see if they start to come out? T-5 ho are very intense and can bleach things.

 

[I'mRisenAquaRat]

I'm going to try only using only two of my four bulbs.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I have 2 150 mhs on a 20L. They are 10'' above the water, and the anemones really open up. I would try what Garygb said, that should help on the intensity.