My anemone I’ve had for 4 years is declining. Over the past 3 months he’s gone from brilliant green to brown. I’ve tested my water multiple times replaced lights I thought were the issue and did a 75% water changed on his 150gal tank(before it was time for scheduled change) He was already a large size when I got him he’s doubled in size to weight roughly 3.5lbs. I’ve never lifted him out of water always with a special bowl only for him. He eats silver sides, shrimp, and clams. Not grocery store shrimp, clams but the fish food brands I can get locally, never anything treated for human consumption. He’s the first baby I got and my oldest, please help me save him.
Sick Old Green Carpet
- Thread starter Shook
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Hopefully someone here will know whether the situation can be turned around. Best wishes!
Current update. He has attached and moved to the furthest darkest corner. Lights are less powerful now than before, the old lights were much brighter and he used to reach out for them before decline, we are now day 3 after water change. The clownfish will tear my hands untill bloody so I can’t check under are the conditions of his foot without stressing him and his clown.
Light is from 8a-5:30pm moon from 5:30-12a black 12a-8a. Nitrates are now 5ppm before change it was 10ppm. Nitrite are now 0ppm and before were slightly reading but not a bright enough color for my scale. Ammonia before 0.10 - 0.15, now 0. Ph has remained at 8.2. Phosphate, calcium and metals I need to take water to the nearest testing facility. The one coral I have has perked up with the water change and I did not find anything of extreme concern before it. Water change is every 1.5 months it’s a 150gal general current and a 30gal sump. Protein skimmer was rated for 150-250gal I’ve adjusted it to work with 150. Is there anything else I can check?
helmsreef
Active Member
I would up your light schedule so it sees more peak lighting. Not sure what lights you are using or what intensity but they typically like 10 hours or so of peak sometimes more. Find out what your P04 is, could possibly be 0. If its losing color its expelling algae, they are pretty light hungry especially as they get bigger.
gobirds4290
Community Member
What kind of light is it under? It looks pretty dim in the second pic compared to the first. Also, am I reading correct that there was an ammonia spike recently?
D-Nak
Valuable Member
How deep is your sand bed? In one photo it looks like I can see the bottom of the tank, so I'm guessing you don't have much sand? In order to feel fully comfortable, haddoni like to bury their foot in the sand. I typically recommend at least 3" of sand.
BryanM
7500 Club Member
I 2nd the light, I would give it more light as well.
Curious if it is still eating. I would think that would be a good sign.
Curious if it is still eating. I would think that would be a good sign.
Lights are the Fluval brand I have 4 2 on each side. I’ll up there brightness and day time. No yes not eating but today he did dig into an area with more sand. Some low spots are from the eel digging. Foundational rocks are cemented in so he was not at risk of tipping them. The lighter decor not made of rocks is not cemented.
gobirds4290
Community Member
What kind of Fluval lights? I’m not super familiar with them but think they are generally regarded as not strong enough for most corals let alone a haddoni.
D-Nak
Valuable Member
I'm guessing the same. Haddoni don't need a ton of light but definitely more than what typical Fluval LEDs put out, especially four of them spread out over a 150 gallon tank. How tall is the tank? You may want to consider a light fixture that's capable of providing ample light down to the bottom of the tank, like a Kessil A360XE.
I need to measure it again but I know it’s along the lines of most standard tanks. I did have higher powered lights for a few years, they have burnt out and I’m saving up $800 now to buy them again. The fluva lights are temporary I’m hoping they’ll help me limp along till my next check. He has moved to a darker area for the moment and is a little more inflated than last week. Refused food today attempted to feed a small shrimp 1/2 inch long. He reacted to it but only to so he could drop it there was no attempt to hold onto the food I will try again in 5 days or sooner if it looks healthy enough. Still going to use a 1/2 inch shrimp I worry I’ll stress it with too large of food.
Hey if anyone sees this, this far down the post I have an update! I had to take my clowns away from the anemone, they continue to dig away sand and I believe they’re being too aggressive with him in his condition. Clowns are in quarantine tank now. I’ve moved both my lights over the anemone and moved the current makers to provide gentle currents never directly pointed at him. He has fully connected his food to the ground and I have moved sand dug away from the clown back to him. I now have 2 HyperReef 200 gen 2 ordered and arriving Tuesday. He is less deflated than originally and I have high hopes for recovery. Please if you have anything to add I am all eyes and ears.
Side note, due to possible issues with my filtration and set up I will be moving to a 100g with 57g sump. My hope is that if he recoveres I’ll be able to get him back to healthy within a couple months while I cycle the new aquarium. I want to move copepods and filtration algae to the new sump but I’m hesitant to do so. Is it possible I’ll transfer unwanted issues with it?
Side note, due to possible issues with my filtration and set up I will be moving to a 100g with 57g sump. My hope is that if he recoveres I’ll be able to get him back to healthy within a couple months while I cycle the new aquarium. I want to move copepods and filtration algae to the new sump but I’m hesitant to do so. Is it possible I’ll transfer unwanted issues with it?
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