Anenome's tentacles not exposed, is something wrong?

[koolzero]

I just looked inside my tank when I woke up and I saw that my anenome's tentacles aren't exposed. Is this normal?

[koolzero]

The tenacles came out but not all the way and the ones that are out are green.

[FishinInTheDark]

Hey KZ!

How about a little more info first? Let's start with how old is your tank, what size is it, and what kind of lighting are you running. What are your water perameters? What kind of anemone is it, and how long have you had the anemone itself? How are you caring for said anemone?

That should be enough info to get us started, I think! Thanks!

[koolzero]

I've got corallife 50/50 lights which I changed about a month ago, the tank has been established for 2 years, here are some pictures.

http://kevebrown.com/Fish/1.jpg
http://kevebrown.com/Fish/2.jpg
here is a video http://kevebrown.com/Fish/3.mpg the quality isn't so great. I will check my water parameters right now.

[FishinInTheDark]

How many gallons in that tank? (Nice tank, by the way!) How many watts of light are you running over it? And, how long have you had the anemone, and what do you feed it/how often? Condy anemons definitely need especially intense lighting, which may be the reason for its declining health. It doesn't really look like it's in jeopardy yet, though.

I know you're checking your water perams now. I'm going to go change over laundry and check back on you. I promise not to leave you stranded. . .

[koolzero]

55 gallon tank. My lights are 21" Coralife Compact Fluorescent Bulb 50/50 (65W) X 2. My parameters are:
nitrate 0
amonia .25 (should be 0 is this something to be concerned with)
nitrite 0
ph 8.2

[FishinInTheDark]

Well, there are the problems: there is not enough light to sustain it. You would need upwards of five watts per gallon of compact fluorescent to let that animal survive, and more to help it thrive. Also, there's the ammonia issue.

I would recommend a water change in order to make it more comfortable for now. I urge you to try to take the anemone back to the store where you got it. When it dies, it can release toxins into your system that can wipe out the rest of the inhabitants.

Is the foot firm? If it has begun to die already, that may be your ammonia source. If not, can you think of any other source?

[koolzero]

what do you mean is the foot firm?

[koolzero]

I've had the anemone for about a month and it's been alright then just today I've noticed this.

[koolzero]

So I need 275 watt lights?

[FishinInTheDark]

When it dies, the foot will dissolve and turn sort of snotty.

It takes some time for photosynthetic animals to begin to starve due to lack of light. That's why they appear fine for a while when moved into a tank.

If you're going to stick with CF lighting, that is the bare minimum I would recommend even trying with a high-light specimen. I still wouldn't guarantee its survival at that level. As I said, you might allow it to at least survive at that level, but certainly not thrive.

Are you feeding it heavily? If you're going to keep it, try giving it meaty foods a minimum of three times per week.

Any idea about the ammonia?

[koolzero]

do they make a CF light higher than 65watt?

[MikeS]

yes, they make 96 watt PCs....however, I'd look at alternate lights in addition, like MH's, VHO's or T5's....

Mike

[koolzero]

I have no idea about the amonia. I have a lot of gravel in my tank maybe I need to reduce some of it and do a water change. Is it safe to remove the rock and the gravel while the fish are in the tank?

[koolzero]

Are VHO lights harder to take care of? Like do I need a chiller to keep the temp down in my tank? Will it significatnly increase my power bill?

[koolzero]

Would one of these be the type of light enclosure that I would need: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3796&N=2004+113174 longest light I can get is 48"

and these bulbs: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3813&N=2004+113174

Does this enclosure take 2 bulbs? If it takes 2 do you add the wattage together to get the total watt?

[FishinInTheDark]

VHO doesn't run hotter than PC bulbs. You pay for the wattage used, so if you up your wattage over the tank by 220 watts, you will use more power, but I don't think it will be "significant."

If you used that VHO light in addition to the PC one you have now, you should have a pretty good combination going. I'm not sure whether that is a stand-alone light or not, though. Does anyone else have any idea? I don't think you want it sitting directly on the top of the tank, to avoid heat issues. If it's a couple of inches off the top, you shouldn't see much of a heat rise, I think.

It is safe to remove rock and gravel with fish in the tank, it will cloud significantly, but they should be fine.

[koolzero]

I don't think I will have enough room on the top of my tank to leave my PC light and add a VHO light. I will have to get rid of the PC light and get an alternate source.

[koolzero]

yes, they make 96 watt PCs....however, I'd look at alternate lights in addition, like MH's, VHO's or T5's....

Mike

Can you give me some ideas on how I would add say a VHO light to my exisiting light? I don't think I have the room for it, unless I'm miss understanding something.

[FishinInTheDark]

Mike, you run a PC/VHO combo on your 55G tank, don't you? Can you give him some guidance as to how you do it?

[koolzero]

Would this be sufficient: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11348 it's a 384 watt CF light.

sorry this is the part #CD-16915 Orbit Compact Fluorescent Lunar Lights (48" w/4-96 watt) $549.99

I can't believe it costs so much though. For a 520 watt light it's 599!


**Update** I think I just found the same light here: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/ordering/lighting_CU_Orbit.html for $450. Tell me if this is the same thing? It's the 7th one down.

I guess if i was to do a combo light system I would have to get a system that would fit inside of my canopy. Acutally I just looked again and I don't think it would be possible to mount a light inside my canopy...

[FishinInTheDark]

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=15

That is the light that I have. It is better light, and much cheaper than the CF fixture you listed above. I have only had it for a few weeks, but I like it very much. The only problem I have is that it only has one cord, so I will have to do some rewiring when the 30 day warranty expires to be able to put the different lights on different timers.

Anyway, you might consider it if you don't mind going without your canopy.

[FishinInTheDark]

Also, there is a slightly cheaper 48" model that would work well on a 55G too.

[koolzero]

Why can't I use the canopy with the light system that you linked?

[FishinInTheDark]

You could try it, if it's well ventilated. I run my tank with an open top, so when I went from CF to MH, I didn't see a bit of difference in temperature.

[MikeS]

I made my own canopy, and filled it with retrofit lights and a fan kit...2 110w VHO's and 2 55/65watt PC's....you can see photos on my webpage...

http://frankensteinsreef.tripod.com/id2.html

[TranZ]

if your going to spend that kind of money on lighting ...why don't you go for a MH setup...this will give you more option on corals. JMHO

[koolzero]

if your going to spend that kind of money on lighting ...why don't you go for a MH setup...this will give you more option on corals. JMHO

What is an MH setup?

[tim_coville_]

metal halides are basically the best type of lighting for corals.


i would suggest if your looking for something very good looking and a fixture/compact type thing, look into a retro fit hood:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-X-150-Metal-Halide-T5-T-5-Hood-48-in-Reef-Hood-new_W0QQitemZ4320618184QQcategoryZ46314QQcmdZViewI tem

something like that would be good, of course it is a little pricey, but they look very good.

if i went back and rebuilt my tank, i would have boughten a cheaper tank and bought a lighting system similiar to that.

hope that helps.

[FishinInTheDark]

The link that I posted for you is for a MH/PC/moonlight fixture.

[Solarflare8806]

sorry to butt in but I thought that I should tell you that your condy anemone will need one of the highest and best lighting around. If you want them to live in your tank for a period over a month I would strongly urge you to go with metal halides, or a different anemone and strong CF's otherwise you'll won't be able to keep a anemone like a condy happy and it will die. There are anemones that don't require as much light as a condy like a bulb anemone. Bulbs need PERFECT water conditions but slightly not as much light. Plus condy's like to move around and possible sting corals and other things and I also think that clownfish rarely like to inhabit them so I would stay away from condy's just my oppinion. by the way your tank looks great.

[koolzero]

I should have studied more about the condy I didn't know it was such a difficult one to keep alive. My local pet store who is usually very hesitant to sell me anything said that this guy is easy to keep and was more than happy to sell it to me. I guess he wanted to unload them. I want a lighting system that will allow me to keep the canopy on my tank.

[FishinInTheDark]

How tall is your canopy? If it's less than 8", you'll definitely have heat issues without a chiller. I would go back to looking at a setup like MikeS'.

[koolzero]

I have only 5" of clearance.

[FishinInTheDark]

MH will definitely not work. Look into a combo of T-5/CF/VHO. Have you looked at hellolights.com ? They have great retrofit kits for good prices.

[Doctor_Reef]

Agree...That would be the choice I would also recommend....:)

[koolzero]

Thanks looking at hellolights now!

[koolzero]

I am buying this from hellolights:

4 lamp vho retro fit system 440 watts
for $256 even

The guy I ordered it from said I shouldn't need a chiller. Tell me what you guys think about this, it sounds like a good setup to me.

[FishinInTheDark]

Hellolights won't steer you wrong. Are you going to keep the CF lights you have too, or just do VHO? Either way, you should have a nice, bright tank!

[koolzero]

I'm taking out my CF lights I don't think I will have enough room for the VHO and the CF. Hopefully it will be fairly easy to install. Does anyone have any guides to install retro fits?

Here is my order:

1 46.5" 4 Lamp VHO Retrofit Kit (w/ ARO Model4L ballast)

Bulb1: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)

Bulb2: URI Actinic White 50/50 VHO(+$23.50)

Bulb3: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)

Bulb4: URI Super Actinic VHO(+$20.00)

Dual_Ballast_Upgrade: None 256.00

Subtotal: 256.00
Shipping: 16.95*
Tax: 0.00
Total: 272.95

I was reading some information about the kit and I ran across this:

Caution: This retrofit/ballast kit must be housed in an area free of moisture, behind glass or acrylic. Make sure the bulb(s) and socket(s) are sealed off from any moisture, humidity or evaporation of your aquarium. Failure to do so will void any and all warranty, and could be a potential hazard.

Will my tank covers be sufficient for this?

[FishinInTheDark]

Yes, they should be. Watch for salt creep just in case.

[koolzero]

The covers that I have don't fit my tank right; they're a bit too big. Do you guys have info on a place that sells covers? The tank that I have was purchased from a friend of a roommate that was moving for $400 2 years ago. The light I have now was the way it was when I bought it from him and the covers are the same aslo.

Thanks for the help everybody.