My anemone is dying please help

[Carsonm]

My anemone has been like deflated for 2 days and now has an open mouth. It has been throwing up purple matter and not eating before it started doing this. It has moved twice in 2 different days and is still latching onto rocks, so I’m not sure if I should touch him and bring it to its previous spot. Here are some pictures of when it was healthy and how it is now. Please tell me what I should do, it’s in the worst shape I’ve ever seen an anemone in.

 

[mcarroll]

Can you post all your water test results, hopefully including PO4 and NO3?

That tank looks very new – can you tell us a short history of how the tank was started?

 

[Carsonm]

Can you post all your water test results, hopefully including PO4 and NO3?

That tank looks very new – can you tell us a short history of how the tank was started?

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

 

[Jekyl]

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

Using RODI? What lighting is being used? How old is the tank? These are likely the cause as parameters don't seem bad.

 

[Carsonm]

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

Using RODI? What lighting is being used? How old is the tank? These are likely the cause as parameters don't seem bad.

Unfortunately I haven’t been using rodi, I haven’t been able to buy a seater yet and the shop that does sell it costs quite a bit. I am using led by coral life and the tank is 6 months old. I put prime in the water when I do my water changes and mix it for 30 mins.

 

[painter1982]

What is your tank depth? Wattage of light?

 

[Jekyl]

Unfortunately I haven’t been using rodi, I haven’t been able to buy a seater yet and the shop that does sell it costs quite a bit. I am using led by coral life and the tank is 6 months old. I put prime in the water when I do my water changes and mix it for 30 mins.

Without using RODI there's not really much else to point at. We have no idea what's in your water and it's likely the cause.

Was that a typo? Did you mean you don't have a heater?

Unfortunately I don't think your tank is a suitable environment.

 

[Carsonm]

Unfortunately I haven’t been using rodi, I haven’t been able to buy a seater yet and the shop that does sell it costs quite a bit. I am using led by coral life and the tank is 6 months old. I put prime in the water when I do my water changes and mix it for 30 mins.

Without using RODI there's not really much else to point at. We have no idea what's in your water and it's likely the cause.

Was that a typo? Did you mean you don't have a heater?

I meant to type rodi system, my bad. I don’t think I’m over feeding. My rocks have algae on them but my sand is clear due to my goby going hard in the paint

 

[mcarroll]

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

Numbers aren't too bad....bigger numbers are ok. I think that's an amino acid additive, right? Not hurting, probably not helping IMO.

I wonder about the light you mentioned. This looks more like a "fish-only" tank....is that light intended for growing things? Knowing the wattage of the light compared to the gallons of the tank you have (depth too if it's a non-standard size tank) would give you an idea.

 

[AlexG818]

Can you post all your water test results, hopefully including PO4 and NO3?

That tank looks very new – can you tell us a short history of how the tank was started?

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

I have had very bad luck with AB+ few times in different tanks. Also as mentions you light seems off (maybe it’s just the picture).

 

[Carsonm]

My PO4 is sitting at .25ppm and my NO3 is at 20ppm which seems really high. Could my AB+ coral nutrition be adding on to it?

Numbers aren't too bad....bigger numbers are ok. I think that's an amino acid additive, right? Not hurting, probably not helping IMO.

I wonder about the light you mentioned. This looks more like a "fish-only" tank....is that light intended for growing things? Knowing the wattage of the light compared to the gallons of the tank you have (depth too if it's a non-standard size tank) would give you an idea.

Yes I bought the light at petco and didn’t see any of the reviews. I guess it’s not really that strong of a light. Which sucks because I paid almost 300 for it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My anemone has been like deflated for 2 days and now has an open mouth. It has been throwing up purple matter and not eating before it started doing this. It has moved twice in 2 different days and is still latching onto rocks, so I’m not sure if I should touch him and bring it to its previous spot. Here are some pictures of when it was healthy and how it is now. Please tell me what I should do, it’s in the worst shape I’ve ever seen an anemone in.

This appears to be a newer tank and BTA anemones especially should not be added sooner than in a tank that is at least 4 months of age due to changes in chemistry. I suspect higher phosphate level. other issues will be too much flow and too little light intensity which cause them to shrink.
Too much flow will cause the anemone to stretch out and look stringy. Keeping things moderate will help avoid this from happening. Avoid directing your flow directly at the anemone which stresses them.
Assure your light is moderate and flow is not excessive in your case

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

seeing that bubbler in your tank and all bubbles going straight up makes me think you have no water movement in the tank. Flow is essential for corals and anemones.

 

[Carsonm]

seeing that bubbler in your tank and all bubbles going straight up makes me think you have no water movement in the tank. Flow is essential for corals and anemones.

That part has less flow but it comes in waves. I have a power head above the anemone and if the power head gets any closer it starts a bubble tornado.

 

[mcarroll]

Is this the light you have?

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/coralife-seascape-48-54-smart-led-light-fixture

If so, it is at least intended to grow corals. As long as your tank is on the smaller side (shorter vs taller especially) then it might be fine. Otherwise you might need to run two of them.

IF YOUR TANK IS SUPPOSED TO BE A REEF, then consider watching some videos to get an idea what the correct flow can look like. Lighting and other factors won't matter at all if your flow isn't right.

Here's one, but you should watch a lot more: