RBTA problem

tlhood · #1 06-21-2014, 07:06 PM

A few weeks ago I changed my lighting from the stock T5 compact 10K actinics that come with the RSM 130D, to LEDs (the rapid LED retrofit kit) with a dimmable controller. I also did about a 35% water change. It was doing ok until I changed the aquascape. I had to spend about 20 minutes massaging it off a rock, and I'm pretty sure I didn't rip anything.

I noticed within a couple days of the new scape that my nem no longer puffs up. It seems to shrink and fold on itself when my lights come on. When the night lights are on, it extends a bit, but it's oral disc isn't as large as it has been in the past, it doesn't attach it's edges to the rock as much, and its tentacles are all deflated.

It does extend onto my green monti cap, so I don't know if that could cause a problem for the nem.

Did I shock it with my new lights? Should I reduce the lighting and slowly ramp it up over a few weeks? The nem is eating, and it's foot is attached.

I did some water tests yesterday with the API kit
nitrates 0
nitrites 0
ammonia 0
phosphates 0.25 (I have been working on lowering this, wasn't a problem for the nem before)
SG 1.024
dkh 8
ca 460
pH 7.8 (trying to raise it a bit)

before (with T5s):

Pre-aquascape, new lights:

Night after the re-aquascape (about a week after getting the LEDs):

Today, after the lights came on. (I turned them off and am letting some natural light hit the tank for now)

A few minutes after I turned the lights off, it is starting to expand again.

tlhood · #2 06-22-2014, 09:44 PM

whelp,

took my own advice and turned down the light intensity quite a bit. Nem is back to normal.

Craigdillman · #3 06-23-2014, 01:46 AM

Yea i would just go slow, those LEDS are huge par compared to the T5s you probably had and corals and hem just need time to acculamte try upping them after a week little by little