carpet anemone

[croix67]

hi just a quick question why does my freinds carpet anemone retract its self in after the lights have been for a about 6 hours he is running on 6 x 39 t5 tubes witch are maid bye Red Sea sorry cant post any pics as he not sent me any when lights go out it it stands right up on its foot any info would be useful thanks

 

[shred5]

I am assuming you mean lights have been on and not off?
I am guessing this anemone is rather new too?
Probably has not udjusted to the light and was originally kept in lower light. It is closing up to avoid the light. A anemone and most coral will expend to gather more light and they will contract or get smaller to avoid light.

Other reasons could be uit is getting picked on but usually not the case with a carpet anemone unless the clowns are too ruff and stressing it out.

 

[croix67]

its seems to close up when lights have been on for a few hours only been in tank a few weeks its has 2 Fiji skunk clowns witch are not hosting it as yet

 

[shred5]

its seems to close up when lights have been on for a few hours only been in tank a few weeks its has 2 Fiji skunk clowns witch are not hosting it as yet

Well to me that would mean he is most likely getting more light than he is used too and is closing up to avoid the light. .. It most likely will adjust after a while as long as the difference is not too extreme which could cause him to bleach or damage the anemone. You could try shading him some and slowly increase the light over a few days or even weeks...

 

[croix67]

so would it be best to start to just use 4 tubes then increase to 6 over a few weeks all 6 tubes are all on timers

 

[FishyPapa]

so would it be best to start to just use 4 tubes then increase to 6 over a few weeks all 6 tubes are all on timers

I doubt only using 4 would make a difference. The extra 2 bulbs give a wide coverage but the distance the light travels through the tank is the same.

For example: You have 2 bulbs who's light reaches strongly to about 16" down in the tank. If you add 2 more bulbs, they'll still reach down as far only now they cover a wider area on the horizontal plane.

If your friend can't find some way to shade or move the anemone to a darker spot, then he might be able to remove some bulbs to give a darker area but this will affect everything already in the tank. It's best to shade or move it.

 

[Trex]

I tend to perfer to leave the lights as they normally are, and use window screening placed b/t the lights and the tank. When I am light acclimating a new anemone I use 3 layers (( supported by egg crate )) and remove a layer every 5-7 days.
From my trip to London, I understand that window screening may be hard to come by, but hopefully you will be able to find it.

This picture is from years ago, if you look at the right side you can see what I am talking about,

 

[croix67]

thanks for the info how long should it be screened for could you use some black fine garden netting as i have some in my shed

 

[Trex]

Would start with one layer and see how it reacts -- use another layer if needed. I would keep it on there for 5-7 days, use its reaction as your guide.

 

[croix67]

ok thanks ill let him no

 

[Steveowhits]

The screen idea is very smart. I've never thought of that. Great idea Trex