BTAs - Need help!

[bc891]

Hi guys,

Over the past few months, my anemones have started to look terrible. They split a number of times and the insides appear to be protruding (see pics). 2 still look ok, but they have decreased in size considerably. I can’t figure out what’s up. I sent off an ICP test and am waiting for the results. Everything else in the tank looks decent, although growth has slowed.

Only thing that would be a “shock” to the system is a flucanozole treatment 3 or so months back for bryopsis. They were declining prior to this.

System in general is about 15 months old. I upgraded from a 62g to a 95g in January - brought all of the rock and added more live (wet) rock from the lfs. Their distance to the lights has changed (they’re deeper now obviously) but I adjusted lighting with a par meter. They looked great up until August or so.

What recommendations/questions do you have? I watch this thing like a hawk and it’s driving me nuts. Thank you.

Temp 78
Salinity 1.026 (calibrated frequently)
Dkh 8.9
Phosphate ULR .20
Nitrate HR 18.8
PH 8.3

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What are you using to test parameters?
Anything that could be bothering them?
What about flow and lighting?

 

[Tahoe61]

Lighting and lighting period please.

 

[bc891]

Gumbies & Tahoe-

Hannah checkers for alk, phos, nitrate, and ph. Red Sea for calcium and mag. LFS suggested bristle worms may be bothering them, which I know I have in there. Been setting a trap and have gotten a few good sized ones so far, but I wouldn’t say it’s an infestation. 2 emerald crabs that roam around. No other corals close by though.

(2) MP 40’s on the back wall (each side of the overflow) running 15% on reef crest.

(2) AI Hydra 32’s, 11” from water surface.

 

[bc891]

What are you using to test parameters?
Anything that could be bothering them?
What about flow and light

Lighting and lighting period please.

Replied above. Sorry, wanted to make sure y'all both saw it!

 

[dthom]

Based just off the "looks" of them in the pic I am going to say it is not a lighting issue but some sort of water issue. Just a purely gut feeling though. How often do you do water changes? When was the last one? What percent of water change are you doing? Do you run carbon or something like chemipure?

 

[Tahoe61]

Do you ever offer the BTA any supplemental food like small pieces of chopped shrimp or fish? If it were my tank I would consider it a lighting issue. You definitely have more than enough light to support most Anemones, but I have seen this issue with cloned BTA and intense LED lighting. I would start there. I will also add that sometimes cloned BTA will not take food and the BTA don't feel tacky to the touch any longer. Two ominous signs for BTAs. Perhaps try a different lighting configuration.

 

[bc891]

Based just off the "looks" of them in the pic I am going to say it is not a lighting issue but some sort of water issue. Just a purely gut feeling though. How often do you do water changes? When was the last one? What percent of water change are you doing? Do you run carbon or something like chemipure?

Water changes 10% every week. I have been using the Red Sea blue bucket (which I have learned lacks some trace elements). Just switched to TM pro reef. Last water change was last weekend; another coming up tomorrow. I’m not currently running anything. I’ll do some carbon in a media bag once a month or so.

Literally just got ICP results back.

 

[bc891]

Do you ever offer the BTA any supplemental food like small pieces of chopped shrimp or fish? If it were my tank I would consider it a lighting issue. You definitely have more than enough light to support most Anemones, but I have seen this issue with cloned BTA and intense LED lighting. I would start there. I will also add that sometimes cloned BTA will not take food and the BTA don't feel tacky to the touch any longer. Two ominous signs for BTAs. Perhaps try a different lighting configuration.

I have in the past, yes. I have some large mysis that I thaw out and feed them. Haven’t in awhile though since they’ve looked stressed.

Too much light, you think? I’ve got the schedule intensity at 65%. They’re getting 150-175 par.

 

[Tahoe61]

I think it's the configuration. I am by no means an expert on newer generation LED, but I have seen this issue a number of times. I would start with more white light.