Too Much Light!

kube

Member
Never though I would say that but I think I might have gone a little overboard
The reason I say this is because i have a green bubble tip anemone, when i put him in there he went for shady part, still getting a good amount of light though, I let him chill there for a week then I turned the rock so he was under the lights, he's almost at the bottom of the tank, anyways at night he is fully expanded then when the lights come on he goes half in, he probably half the size of what he looks like at night with the lights off, after like 4 hours of lights in completely goes into his foot. hes been in the tank for 3 weeks now
he looks in great health his foot is solid brown and his green tips glow under the light
Does this seem like normal behavior? Whats everyone else act like?
The tank is a standard 55 gallon w/20 gallon sump
Lighting is and icecap ballast with overdriven T5's x 4 with individual tek II reflectors
ammonia trites trates and phosphates 0
weekly 15 gallon water changes with oceanic sea salt
tanks has been established 1 year plus
another question how often should i spot feed since hes getting plenty of light?
I'll take some pics the tomorrow morning and as the day goes on to show him
 

robertmathern

Active Member
Do you have sps in the tank I ask because I am still trying to decide between vho lighting or the icecap retro 4X54 overdriven to 80. And have been wandering this myself. I will have to watch this closely
 

kube

Member
I plan on it in the coming months to start adding some SPS. I went this route for it future upgradeablity when i get a 120 gallon in the next year or so(have 4 x 80 and 2 x 54). I also plan on taking one of the bulbs of the icecap ballast and powering it with another ballast, so that I can create a dusk and dawn effect since the icecap only option is all on right now. Thinking I might need to take two off the icecap ballast and do two overdrive and two regular at 54 watts. What few corals I do have the colors just glow I couldn't ask for any more, just really like to have my anemone be happy but I think I'm cooking the poor guy.

Does any one know the name and model of an inexpensive T5 ballast that will power 1 or 2 bulbs. Something like the Fulham Horse Ballast? I get confused as to which model I need?
Should I do 3 x 80 and 1 x 54 watt or 2 x 80 and 2 x 54 ?
Or leave it as is and he will eventually adjust?
 

natclanwy

Active Member
I kind of doubt that you are getting too much light from T5's even overdriven especially at the bottom of your tank. I would give your anenome a few more weeks to acclimate to the new lights, most of the time the have been kept under poor light conditions for a while before you purchase them.
 

maryg

Member
The anenomes do move around until they find a spot they feel comfortable at. It is normal. Just make sure he doesn't go under a rock. He might just be looking for a hard surface to put his foot. You can go ahead and try and spot feed him (or her you never know lol..).
 

kube

Member
hes well attached to the rock there no way I would I take him off of there now, when he was in the shade I wanted to get him in the light and tried to move and he's on there good that why i decided to just turn the rock instead of causeing him and unneeded stress i'll get some pics posted on her tommorow after none so everyone can take a look at him
 
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