Something I noticed about my Haddoni

[greech]

So I will have had my haddoni for a week come tomorrow and I have watched it fairly close since I've had it. I have a 4 bulb T5 with individual reflectors (2 x AT Blue+, Aquablue Special and a UVL Superactinic). After about 4 hours of all 4 bulbs being on the haddonis mouth begins to open and it deflates a bit. It does not fall down but just gets smaller. After seeing this for a couple days, I cut the Aquablue Special and a Blue+ to 4 hours with a total light cycle of ~8 hours. It begins to deflate an gape a bit at the 4 hour mark and after about an hour of the other 2 bulbs being off, the mouth closes tight and it puffs back up a bit (but not to its full size of ~8").

I would be surprised to find out I am giving it too much light considering I was concerned about not having enough light to start with. Not sure what else could be the issue though. Tank specs are

40 breeder (so it is also a shallow tank, 16")
SG = 1.025
Nitrate = 0 to 10ppm
Nitrite = 0
Ammonia = 0
Ca = 440
Alk = 9 to 10

It seemed like a very healthy haddoni when I got it and still does other than the once a day behavior mentioned. I do have a rock flower nem but it was relocated to the opposite corner the night I added the haddoni.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Did you attempt to acclimate it to your lights?

I would leave your lights on their normal schedule and use 3 layers of window screening b/t the tank and the lights. Then remove a layer every 5-7 days.

 

[greech]

The haddoni was kept under a 400 watt halide for at least a month before I brought it home so I may be a horrible judge of lighting but I didn't think my T5s would not be an issue considering the former lighting. I will run and get some window screen tomorrow.

 

[Toddrtrex]

How deep of a tank?
How old was the bulb?
What color temp was the bulb?
What type of reflector?

There are numerous things that could effect the amount of light that was actually getting to the anemone. The window screening is easy to get/use and won't harm anything is it wasn't the light.

 

[greech]

Will definitely grab the screen. Tank is only 16" high. Don't know the brand of reflectors but it is a Current fixture. Blue+ bulbs are almost actinic looking but fairly high PAR, the ABS is about 10-12K and the UVL is a pure actinic bulb. Bulbs are at about 8 months.

I have not tried to feed yet. Should I? I have a pair of Ocellaris and the female is taking very good care of it. She is not rough on it at all after the first day. The clowns do not sleep in the nem. They still like their mag float for night time.

 

[garygb]

It's possible the anemone is getting significantly more light now than it was previously. Not sure, but I believe Todd was asking what type of lighting did the anemone come from when he was asking about depth of tank, age of bulb, color temp of the bulb, etc. An old 400 watt, 20K MH, where the bulb is 30 inches from the anemone isn't likely going to be as bright as a T-5 fixture with individual reflectors only 16 inches above the anemone.

Another possibility is that the anemone is still acclimating. Depending on the differences in tanks, lighting and otherwise, it can take weeks sometimes for an anemone to completely settle in.

As far as feeding, you could try a small piece of fresh seafood, say shrimp from the seafood dept., and keep an eye on the anemone. If it doesn't eat it, then remove the food and try again in a day or two.

 

[greech]

Thanks garygb. I see what was being asked now and I am not certain of the previous lighting details, only that it was a 400W MH pendant with a big dome reflector. I will play it safe and do the window screen today.

Thanks again for all the help!