Bubble Tip Anemone

[EvanHasFish]

Hello! The other day I got a bubble tip anemone, and after acclimation he very quickly found a spot to attach to. The next day, he opened up much wider than he did my local fish store. I have had him for about a week, but when I woke up today he seemed shriveled up and his foot detached. This is my first saltwater tank, so I am worried he may be dying. Any input/suggestions? (Below is the anemone wide open, and the anemone today)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

you'll have to throw out a few clues to help people solve the mystery. How old is the tank? What kind of lighting? What do your test results show?

 

[EvanHasFish]

Ahh yes. The tank itself is about 6 months old since I heard that’s the soonest you can get anemone. The light I have gives a PAR Value of ~130 at the surface. The water parameters are as follows;
pH: 8.2
Salinity: 1.023
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5.0ppm
Calcium: 420ppm
Phosphate: 0ppm
Magnesium: 1200ppm
Carbonate Hardness: ~100ppm
Temp: 78-80°F

 

[MarshallB]

How deep is the tank? Nems need a lot of light. Which is most likely why it spreadout at first. I believe they need SPS levels of lighting. 200-300 par at their water level.

 

[lefkonj]

I keep my BTA with high flow and high light. I used to feed them like you would coral, but once the clowns homed in them, that become unnecessary. The clowns feed them and poop in them (feed them).
You can turn down your flow a little to allow it to settle in and feed it. I don't like the large feedings as they can then throw that back up, small amount a few time a week and ensure proper lighting.

 

[brmreefer]

In addition, may I ask what is being dosed to this tank?

If anything.

 

[brmreefer]

If the conversion is correct. Your Carbonate Hardness (~100 ppm) converted to dKh is about 5.6 dKh.

I recommend a level around 9 dKh. Some keep it lower, some higher, but that is a good medium.