Why isn't my anemone happy?

[optimisticdingo]

I've had this tank set up for a 3 months and have had this green BTA in the tank for about 2. I realize that I probably added the BTA a bit early in the tanks life but for the most part it has done very well. However, recently the BTA has started looking like this. Any idea why?

Parameters
Lighting: AI Prime running David Saxby Preset
Specific Gravity: 1.024-1.025
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0
Phosphate: 0-0.25
Nitrate: Currently under 5ppm water change at 10 ppm
Calcium: 440
Mag: 1350

I dose phytoplankton regularly and feed a mixture of Mysis and Brine twice a week. Any other questions just feel free to ask.

I'm wondering if the anemone is fine and it is just in a bad place. Is there perhaps a way to make it detach and find a new home?

 

[jeffchapok]

Do you feed it directly? I used to feed mine chunks of frozen chopped clams, until I discovered it's just as happy with one of these shrimp pellets (right) daily. They are easier and cheaper. Try feeding once or twice per week to see how it responds. Once it starts gobbling them up and reinflating quickly, you can increase the frequency.

BTAs are not filter feeders. They grab stuff and shove it into their mouths. So the phyto is definitely not doing anything for them AFAIK, and mysis and brine may also be too small for them to grab on to.

I wouldn't suggest trying to move it. You'll only stress and possibly injure it, and it's going to end up wherever it wants to be anyway.

 

[Mical]

What's you Ph and temp?

 

[optimisticdingo]

What's you Ph and temp?

pH is 8.2 and temp is 76

 

[optimisticdingo]

Do you feed it directly? I used to feed mine chunks of frozen chopped clams, until I discovered it's just as happy with one of these shrimp pellets (right) daily. They are easier and cheaper. Try feeding once or twice per week to see how it responds. Once it starts gobbling them up and reinflating quickly, you can increase the frequency.

BTAs are not filter feeders. They grab stuff and shove it into their mouths. So the phyto is definitely not doing anything for them AFAIK, and mysis and brine may also be too small for them to grab on to.

I wouldn't suggest trying to move it. You'll only stress and possibly injure it, and it's going to end up wherever it wants to be anyway.

I'll try that. I'm trying to post a pic of the nem but R2R says the file is too big

 

[optimisticdingo]

I've had this tank set up for a 3 months and have had this green BTA in the tank for about 2. I realize that I probably added the BTA a bit early in the tanks life but for the most part it has done very well. However, recently the BTA has started looking like this. Any idea why?

Parameters
Lighting: AI Prime running David Saxby Preset
Specific Gravity: 1.024-1.025
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0
Phosphate: 0-0.25
Nitrate: Currently under 5ppm water change at 10 ppm
Calcium: 440
Mag: 1350

I dose phytoplankton regularly and feed a mixture of Mysis and Brine twice a week. Any other questions just feel free to ask.

I'm wondering if the anemone is fine and it is just in a bad place. Is there perhaps a way to make it detach and find a new home?

Pic of BTA:

 

[Vested]

How big is the tank?

 

[dvgyfresh]

Do you feed it directly? I used to feed mine chunks of frozen chopped clams, until I discovered it's just as happy with one of these shrimp pellets (right) daily. They are easier and cheaper. Try feeding once or twice per week to see how it responds. Once it starts gobbling them up and reinflating quickly, you can increase the frequency.

BTAs are not filter feeders. They grab stuff and shove it into their mouths. So the phyto is definitely not doing anything for them AFAIK, and mysis and brine may also be too small for them to grab on to.

I wouldn't suggest trying to move it. You'll only stress and possibly injure it, and it's going to end up wherever it wants to be anyway.

Anemone don’t need to be fed if you have ample lighting , they can pull nitrate from the water as a food source, that said I still feed mine krill once a week lol

 

[Mical]

pH is 8.2 and temp is 76

Ph looks good might up the temp (slowly) to like 78. Mine seem happy in the 78-79 degree range

 

[optimisticdingo]

How big is the tank?

15 gallon

 

[Vested]

15 gallon

I have a bit of a hunch that maybe could be part too much light? Would make sense especially in a tank that small and the fact hes looking very retracted and towards the bottom (away from the light). I wouldn't change anything without using a par meter though cause could do more harm then good.

 

[optimisticdingo]

I have a bit of a hunch that maybe could be part too much light? Would make sense especially in a tank that small and the fact hes looking very retracted and towards the bottom (away from the light). I wouldn't change anything without using a par meter though cause could do more harm then good.

He was doing really good for a few weeks but then started retracting. I've had a few of my SPS bleach and maybe it is because the prime light is too much. Maybe I need to lower the output of my light

 

[Vested]

He was doing really good for a few weeks but then started retracting. I've had a few of my SPS bleach and maybe it is because the prime light is too much. Maybe I need to lower the output of my light

Oh interesting, have you changed the light settings since those sps bleached or moved them? I would highly recommend renting a par meter from BRS, if thats not an option id change light settings as a last resort and stick to whatever you change them too for awhile.

 

[Vested]

Or maybe a LFS might have a par meter you can borrow?

 

[optimisticdingo]

Or maybe a LFS might have a par meter you can borrow?

I'll see if I could borrow or rent one. I really like this Saxby Preset but idk of a way to adjust the output of the light without adjusting each individual point on the lighting preset. I might just have to make my own preset

 

[Vested]

heres a video I found of a similar tank (with btas) and an ai prime, he is using a diffuser though so keep that inmind says he shows the settings hes using and you can compare.

 

[Vested]

nvm thats useless lol just finished it and he only shows the timing not actual color etc.

 

[optimisticdingo]

nvm thats useless lol just finished it and he only shows the timing not actual color etc.

I took the main setting from my preset and lowered all of the outputs by 25% and will see if that helps. That way the lighting spectrum is the same but it's less intense

 

[Vested]

I took the main setting from my preset and lowered all of the outputs by 25% and will see if that helps. That way the lighting spectrum is the same but it's less intense

Hope that helps, goodluck and keep us updated!

 

[optimisticdingo]

Hope that helps, goodluck and keep us updated!

How long should it take the BTA to acclimate to the new light output? It's been a few days since lowering the light and no luck