Once thriving anemone now struggling

[Alexreefer]

Hey all, I've had this nem for a bit over a year. He was doing great at first, visually was growing crazy amounts till he reached close to 8 inches across. I was battling some algae issues and decided to kick on the gfo reactor. From that day on gfo running or not he will not open up more than 2 inches. I feed him regularly and he eats, he is hosting a clown but the clown doesn't seem to be bothering him. So what can be the reason he won't open as much? I'll post water parameters soon as well as some pics

 

[Koh23]

The best i can give you is - something changed. Water? Light? Something?

Even slightest change can cause nems to be weird, i moved one of my lights 2cm to the left.....and from gorgeous, bubbly rbta, for month i watched grey blobs of closed and unhappy nems....

That is useless, i know, but.... Free bump.

 

[Alexreefer]

Water params:
No3 - 5ppm
Alk - 12.4
Ca - 440
Mg - 1340
Salinity - 1.025

 

[Alexreefer]

The best i can give you is - something changed. Water? Light? Something?

Even slightest change can cause nems to be weird, i moved one of my lights 2cm to the left.....and from gorgeous, bubbly rbta, for month i watched grey blobs of closed and unhappy nems....

That is useless, i know, but.... Free bump.

Only thing I can think of is my gfo. But it's been off for weeks and I see no change

 

[TokenReefer]

Water params:
No3 - 5ppm
Alk - 12.4
Ca - 440
Mg - 1340
Salinity - 1.025

You didn't post the parameter affected by the GFO, the PO4.. I would say that's probably a good lead as to why

 

[Alexreefer]

You didn't post the parameter affected by the GFO, the PO4.. I would say that's probably a good lead as to why

Lol good point. P04 test was expired and all lfs are closed now. Do nems prefer more or less phosphate?

 

[TokenReefer]

All organisms need phosphate. I don't know how much specifically for anenome but I think that's why a range is suggested for reef tanks in general as a safety zone to stay in so that enough is available when needed (to my understanding)

Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley

[note: edited on 5/29/2022 to update the nitrate and phosphate sections with higher recommended levels.] One of the main roles of an aquarist with a coral reef aquarium is to ensure that the conditions are right for their tank inhabitants. There are many different attributes of the aquarium...

www.reef2reef.com

Out of curiosity why did you use the GFO?

 

[TokenReefer]

I was battling some algae issues and decided to kick on the gfo reactor.

Oh, sometimes I don't read too well ;)

How long has the nem been retracted? Has it been a while. I know whenever a change happens in my tank mine will get a little ticked off and make faces but usually comes back after a period of adjustment. Maybe it's just adjusting to your new parameters with low phosphate; test to make sure you didn't bottom out. GFO can work quickly and quick changes aren't generally good, not nec a death sentence but adjustment time is needed

 

[Alexreefer]

Oh, sometimes I don't read too well ;)

How long has the nem been retracted? Has it been a while. I know whenever a change happens in my tank mine will get a little ticked off and make faces but usually comes back after a period of adjustment. Maybe it's just adjusting to your new parameters with low phosphate; test to make sure you didn't bottom out. GFO can work quickly and quick changes aren't generally good, not nec a death sentence but adjustment time is needed

It's been more than a month. I initially thought the same and turned off gfo. But he never returned back. He just stays small now. I feed him every other day. He eats and looks healthy. Just... small

 

[TokenReefer]

Do you have other corals?

 

[Rtaylor]

What type of anemone?