BTA Stretching upwards and losing color

[Greg Depo]

Hello guys,
I’ve recently added a fairly large bta to my 90g reef tank (like a month ago). And he has began to lose color and is stretching his foot upwards and his tips have been very short for a few weeks as well. I did find a few issues once I started to look into parameters and lighting.

The first was my salinity was lower than normal (.023) so I brought that up slowly to .026. Then I tested for iodine and my tank was totally exhausted of the element. I’ve began treating that every other day but the nem isn’t improving. Other parameters are stable nitrate/nitrite/ammonia 0, alkalinity is 9.4, calcium 450.

So onto the lighting I recently upgraded to Red Sea 90s (2) from a ocean revive led. It’s been acclimating for the past week but even prior to that the nem was behaving the same. The lights are about 75% of where they will get to so maybe the lighting is still not enough yet.

What do you guys think? A lot of changes I know but nothing really seems to help. Also I did feed him a fresh scallop piece which he happily ate.

 

[reefwiser]

It’s hungry in needs food. They do not live by light alone.

 

[Greg Depo]

It’s hungry in needs food. They do not live by light alone.

I’ll keep feeding him with the hopes he gets some color back! Thanks

 

[D-Nak]

It’s hungry in needs food. They do not live by light alone.

Actually, they’re more than capable of living just off of the light that we provide, assuming its relatively high powered and of the right spectrum.

 

[Cell]

It’s hungry in needs food. They do not live by light alone.

Completely false. With adequate lighting they need no supplemental food.

 

[Greg Depo]

Actually, they’re more than capable of living just off of the light that we provide, assuming its relatively high powered and of the right spectrum.

What spectrum would be best do you think? I’ve read they like the white lower spectrum most... like 12k. Right now I’m geared more blue like 18k with like 60% whites.

 

[D-Nak]

What spectrum would be best do you think? I’ve read they like the white lower spectrum most... like 12k. Right now I’m geared more blue like 18k with like 60% whites.

BTAs aren't very picky when it comes to spectrum. Just go with what you like, meaning whatever you prefer your tank to look like (the trend is more blue).

 

[Mical]

It's reaching for the light(s) +1 on more light. The more you give them the bigger they bloom.

 

[Dom]

What kind of lighting do you have?

 

[MERKEY]

+3 on lights.

Give that bad boy more light!!

 

[jim9]

It's stressed from the raise of salinity from the look and in need of stronger lighting due to it bleaching.

 

[reefwiser]

Completely false. With adequate lighting they need no supplemental food.

Gee I have only been keeping them for 35 years now thank you for telling that.
I will stop doing it then.

 

[Cell]

Gee I have only been keeping them for 35 years now thank you for telling that.
I will stop doing it then.

You must have some huge nems. I feed when they are small and want them to grow faster. When they get to a good size, they get whatever they catch on their own or what the clowns bring.

 

[D-Nak]

Gee I have only been keeping them for 35 years now thank you for telling that.
I will stop doing it then.

I think it was more regarding how you said it...

"They do not live by light alone."

For the most part, they really can live on light alone. Good flow and light are probably the two requirements most nems need to survive. Flow will bring them food. Many people who own nems never feed them directly and they thrive (the nems, not the people ). That's not to say that nems don't benefit from supplemental feedings. Mine tend to perk up after a good meal.