New and need reassurance

I has moved slightly, I placed it next to the piece of live rock that I pretty much covers now. The next morning the rock was moved and the LTA kinda wedged his foot underneath it. How will I know if he is getting along OK. any signs of unhappiness?

 

I'd say 15-30 lbs.

 

they change color also, how did it look when you got it? what color it was when you got it? It all depend how long did you acclimated it? and what kind of lighting they had at the lfs, has a lot to do with it, give it a couple of days it just might be getting use to it's new home.

 

The thing about anemones, it's hard to tell if they're doing OK cause by the time you realize somethings wrong it's prolly too late to do anything.

 

How would I know about the ballasts in the light?

 

You need about 2 times the lighting you have now to keep that anemone. I believe long tentacle anemones sit in the sand, you mentioned a 20g tall. The light your anemone is getting at the bottom of your tank is absolutely inadequate and if you don't upgrade, it will linger for a while and eventually die. Your chances would be much better if you had waited till the tank was up and running for 6 months or more and researched the needs of that anemone before purchasing it. Sorry but hear the stories all too often. I coppied this off wetwebmedia.com adresses lighting for long tentacle anemones, hope you find it informative if not lengthy. good luck

Long Tentacle Anemone
Hello Robert,
<Anthony Calfo in your service>
I have a 45 gallon tank with 2 to 3 inches of live sand also live rock,
fish, coral, etc. About three weeks ago I purchased a long tentacle anemone that still has not picked a place to stay.
<if not damaged, it is a common sign of inadequate lighting either by virtue of an inherent deficiency in intensity or by quality (like a good system of high intensity bulbs, but yellowed water, aged bulbs (over 10months old), dust/debris on bulbs or lenses/canopies, etc)>
It just lies on its side on the bottom of the tank moving from place to place mainly going into the corner smashing itself against the glass its health seems fine spreading out it tentacles and retracting them as usual and it has not shrunk in size.
<not shrinking is not necessarily a good sign. Symbiotic reef inverts pan for light when light is poor as well. See new article posted that is somewhat pertinent: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimcoralslight.htm>
What is the safest way to convince it to pick a place to stick.
<tell me more about your lighting... it is my suspicion and the most likely cause. If you do have hardcore reef lighting, is your water clarity excellent (carbon once/twice monthly, etc...)?>
JS
<kindly, Anthony>
Re: Long Tentacle Anemone
<Cheers again. Anthony>
Well a the present time I only have two 18" strip lights with 15 watt florescent bulbs.
<my goodness. That is exactly the problem, my friend>
But I am learning quickly so my plan is to retrofit in to
the florescent strip lights either the 14" or 15" smart lights. Which if I am not mistaken should boost the tank up to reef quality lighting.
<yes if the bulbs are close enough to the water and the tank is shallow (less than 18"?... do keep the anemone within 12" of surface if possible). The anemone will die within weeks under this light. Do compensate in the meantime with very fine shredded meaty foods (nothing bigger than adult brine shrimp (although don't use brine...lousy food). Try Pacifica plankton and mysis shrimp for starters. This will provide a source of carbon until better lights can supply the zooxanthellae. With kind regards, Anthony>
JS

Re: Long Tentacle Anemone (resurrection by light)
Well I purchased one of the SmartLite "power something or others" it is 96 watts with 4 lights in it 2 blue, 2 white.
<sexy outfit and color balance...like it>
I tell you the anemone responded to it almost right away and so have the fish I also purchased some live rock to build up a higher position for the anemone to sit on to keep it closer to the light. Your help is much appreciated and you hit the nail right on the head.
<A matter of experience, my friend, that you are gaining evermore too each day>
thanks for the help JS
<quite welcome. Anthony>

 

Oh by the way, Howdy and welcome to 3Reef

 

Thanks for the info Lmecher. I thought I was good to go with the light I purchased that clearly states "ideal for reef aquariums","promotes optimum invertebrate growth" What a bunch of crap. So now I have a $40 LTA that is doomed to death if I can't get rid of it and a "reef" light that can't support any coral or inverts. FANTASTIC!

 

Should I call the LFS tomorrow and pitch a fit or what? I don't want this poor thing to die and I dont wanna be out $40 for the anemone and $65 for a light that is no good either.
Any sugestions?

 

Listen 48 watts on a 20 gal isn't terrible, it's just that you have a tall tank and not much light could be reaching the bottom. your LTA is not doomed, he can survive in that light, it's just not ideal for growth. you could prolly even get some shrooms for now. until your ready to upgrade. my brother in-law has 2.5 watts/gal in his 30 gal tank and has frog spawn, brain, many zoas, sun coral, bubble tip anemone, ricordia and other shrooms in his tank and been going fine for over a year now.

should say on the packaging or the ballast itself. if it all came together in same box then you'll prolly want to upgrade.