BTA retracted out of nowhere?

[ArnoldosAquariums]

My 40g has a rose BTA that has been withdrawn for days.

Any idea why? He’s firmly attached to the rock still. Direct fed him 3-4 days ago (silverside).

First photo is two days ago. I figured maybe he needed more lighting so I increase the lighting by about 20%.

We opened up just a little bit. Last night he moved and this is where he’s at right now in the second pic.


UPDATE!

So I did a thorough testing.. not sure on Nitrates since API is ALWAYS inaccurate but its between 20-40.. which means its lower than that.

Temp: 77.9; Sal .28 (yes, it’s high as ATO wasn’t working right.. fixed it), Ammonia under .25 (closer to 0.. but there was a tinge of color); Nitrite 0; PH 8; MG 1200; Alk 8.4...

Here’s the kicker: PHOS @ .09 and CA around 700.. what the heck?

Now, I do 20% water changes every other week.

My 15g nano is at 480C .04 Pho

My 75G tank (my most established is at 7.6 Alk, 370CA (gotta dose, I know), and Phos under 2.


The difference? The 40G I bought from someone who already had it setup. I used maybe about 15G of his water.

He had NO corals except for a small frag of Zoas and some Xenia that was pretty much dead. He was dosing (no idea how much) alk and CA and NO IDEA why.

MY GUESS is the CA and ALK were through the roof because of his unneeded dosing. But I’ve done 2 water changes since I got this tank... no idea why the CA is THAT high.

Do you think this could be the reason why the nem is closed? ANd why NOW vs when I first put it in?

 

[Sosuke]

The ammonia, nitrates, and phos being too high is probably the problem, keep doing water changes add carbon, feed less keep the salinity lower. It doesn't look like its given up yet

 

[Sosuke]

Also don't feed it it doesn't need food. To fix the calcium and alkalinity just keep doing water changes and stop any dosing for that

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

The ammonia, nitrates, and phos being too high is probably the problem, keep doing water changes add carbon, feed less keep the salinity lower. It doesn't look like its given up yet

There’s already carbon.. that’s the crazy thing!

I’m really thinking the OG water was chock-full!

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

Also don't feed it it doesn't need food. To fix the calcium and alkalinity just keep doing water changes and stop any dosing for that

I never dosed this tank. The first thing I did when I moved it to my house was remove it. No corals, no coralline.. zero need for it!

 

[Sosuke]

What else is in the tank?

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

What else is in the tank?

Fish wise?

Snowflake Oscellaris
A Yellow Tang (don’t even ask... he stocked a 40G with a dang yellow tang lol)
Valentino Puffer
Engineer Goby

All fish are doing marvelous!

Oh- and a bunch of either diatoms or cyano. I need to test under a microscope. I did put Chemi Clean this morning as I’m pretty sure its red cyano, the meth bubbles are present

 

[Sosuke]

The fish are probably what's causing the high nitrates, tangs have big poops and so do puffers from what I remember. Can you move those fish to your 75, or move the nem to your 75?

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

The fish are probably what's causing the high nitrates, tangs have big poops and so do puffers from what I remember. Can you move those fish to your 75, or move the nem to your 75?

No - can’t move them… A lot of incompatibility.

And if I move the fish, then the tank will be empty LOL.

I did a purigen last week, so this should help to

 

[Sosuke]

Ok I would consider re-homing the tang than and the engineer, they can get big can start trouble

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

Ok I would consider re-homing the tang than and the engineer, they can get big can start trouble

No, I’m good. That’s not what this thread is about.

 

[Dom]

The presence of ammonia is concerning. Are you using API test kits?

 

[Sosuke]

ok

 

[Sosuke]

No, I’m good. That’s not what this thread is about.

What I meant is tangs have big poops and are probably causing the nitrates and ammonia to rise which in turn stresses the anemone.

 

[vanpire]

When I feed my anemones, sometimes they retract and stay that way for weeks. Yes, weeks. I think it was just digesting food. Also be careful of what you feed. I have fed mine a piece of shrimp, and it died soon after. I am guessing that the shrimp might have had chemical additives.

Feeding anemones is not a bad idea. They grow faster, unless you are OK with the current growth rate.

 

[Sosuke]

When I feed my anemones, sometimes they retract and stay that for weeks. Yes, weeks. I think it is just digesting food. Also be careful of what you feed. I have fed mine a piece of shrimp and it died soon after. I am guessing that the shrimp might have had chemical additives.

Feeding anemones is not a bad idea. They grow faster, unless you are OK with the current growth rate.

IME mine closed when I have tried to feed them

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

What I meant is tangs have big poops and are probably causing the nitrates and ammonia to rise which in turn stresses the anemone.

I would agree except the tang was here first before the nem and the nem
Was open the first few days.

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

The presence of ammonia is concerning. Are you using API test kits?

API only for Nitrates and Ammonia. That’s why I wasn’t too worried since we know how bad API is.

 

[Sosuke]

I would agree except the tang was here first before the nem and the nem
Was open the first few days.

Ok gotcha, how often do you feed the fish? I bet the previous owner was overfeeding

 

[ArnoldosAquariums]

Ok gotcha, how often do you feed the fish? I bet the previous owner was overfeeding

Once a day and not that much.. just enough for them to eat. I gave the nem a VERRRRYYY small piece of a silverside to eat.