Anemones wont seem to thrive

[armandoarturo]

Hi everyone!
I got a nano aquarium a month ago and got a couple of inferno bubble tip anemones and a pair of clownfish.
(I also have a big 160 gallon tank SPS dominant).

Im strugling to get the anemones to thrive. They just seem to be there closed or fluflly.
Any ideas of what could be?

Light: Kessil a80 +- 50% intenstity
Nano size: 12”x12”x12”
Nitrate: 0
Phospate: .03
Temp: 78.8 F

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What about your other parameters? (alk, cal)
Usually, I tell people to wait at least 6 months to put an anemone in their tanks. This gives your tank time to mature.

 

[D-Nak]

Bump up the A80 to 100%, the BTAs may need more light.

Your numbers are a little strange as I'd expect to see some nitrate with a phosphate level of .03, As previously noted, the nano may be too young. Did you use water and rock from the 160 to start the nano?

 

[MoshJosh]

I agree with above, older tank and more light is probably needed. I like the a80, but depending on tank depth it could be under powered for the nems.

 

[backbayreef]

Agreed - once you get some coralline algae growth, you know you're good. Typically, it's usually matured around 6-8mos (ymmv) or you got lots of live rocks from established tanks. Is the tank cycled? Otherwise, this is not good for the nem -- I would expect nitrate to be higher. What bout your ammonia?

 

[Spare time]

+1 on the light needing to be at 100%. The a80 is very weak.

Also, 0 nitrate is not good unless the anemone is being fed every few days.

 

[armandoarturo]

I used everything from my big tank.
(Filtration, sand, rocks) so I assume it was mature enough for anemones.
I use my big tank water changes to change the nanos.
Alk would be 8.8
Ammonia 0
It is cycled… all the things that are inside have been in my SPS tank, which has been running for year and a half