Need help!

[divergirl8888]

I have a 29 gal reef tank that has been up for almost a year. Perfect and stable water conditions. I have a 30" T5 HO Nova Extreme (48 watts total) light, I THOUGHT, I was good on lighting to obtain an anemone! I brought one home about two days ago. (LTA) Very nice looking specimen. Due to the never ending reading of these message boards I have figured out that I do not have any where near enough light for it. I think it's approx. 1.6 watts per gal. if I'm calculating correctly. Not even close to 4 watts per gal. The anemone quickly found a spot and buried his foot in the sand. It has not moved from that location at all. It opens during the day but looks so much better in a moon light and seems to be happy with the water flow. It is in the far right corner of my tank, with it's foot between rock and the back glass. I have a saddle back clown that loves it. I have tried to feed it clam pieces (not too big) but I can't say it eats it. I do feed Beth's homemade food recipe and it's very possible it takes in small bits of that. The anemone seems to be in a spot that is more or less shaded by a power head and a heater. There are definitely more places in my tank that have better access to stronger light! Question is: If it needs more light, why is it in a shaded corner and not in a crevice or something in the front with stronger light? I am upgrading the lighting tomorrow regardless. I do not like making these types of mistakes when it comes to these beautiful creatures. My goal is to keep it alive and healthy. I bought it and it's my job to let it live. Please, any advise is great!

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by Divergirl8888
http:///forum/post/2598039
I have a 29 gal reef tank that has been up for almost a year. Perfect and stable water conditions. I have a 30" T5 HO Nova Extreme (48 watts total) light, I THOUGHT, I was good on lighting to obtain an anemone! I brought one home about two days ago. (LTA) Very nice looking specimen. Due to the never ending reading of these message boards I have figured out that I do not have any where near enough light for it. I think it's approx. 1.6 watts per gal. if I'm calculating correctly. Not even close to 4 watts per gal. The anemone quickly found a spot and buried his foot in the sand. It has not moved from that location at all. It opens during the day but looks so much better in a moon light and seems to be happy with the water flow. It is in the far right corner of my tank, with it's foot between rock and the back glass. I have a saddle back clown that loves it. I have tried to feed it clam pieces (not too big) but I can't say it eats it. I do feed Beth's homemade food recipe and it's very possible it takes in small bits of that. The anemone seems to be in a spot that is more or less shaded by a power head and a heater. There are definitely more places in my tank that have better access to stronger light! Question is: If it needs more light, why is it in a shaded corner and not in a crevice or something in the front with stronger light? I am upgrading the lighting tomorrow regardless. I do not like making these types of mistakes when it comes to these beautiful creatures. My goal is to keep it alive and healthy. I bought it and it's my job to let it live. Please, any advise is great!

Hmmm is this the 4 bulb fixture? If so your ok, you may want to change the bulbs to a better one but on a whole that should be enough. If its a 2 bulb fixture then yes you are lacking, get another 2 bulb fixture and you should be all set IMO.

 

[divergirl8888]

Yes, it is a two bulb. Should I get a 4 bulb system (all in one) or just add another two bulb set up? I moved some rocks around today and realized that the anemone was half attached to a rock. I shifted the rock forward all little so the anemone was out more in the open and getting more light. It looks better now and has not gone back in the corner. Thanks for your help!