Bubble Tip Help Please

DirtMcGurt · Jan 3, 2020

I have 2 RBTAs in my DT. At once, each has been thriving. Fully opened and extended. I believe a nutrient imbalance caused the 1st one to close up and stay closed for a few weeks. It has opened back up and gained color back but is still very stunted. I got a 2nd RBTA a cpl months after I got my nutrients in check and it is now stunted (not fully opened) but has good color. As far as I can tell.
I have 2 clowns that the RBTAs will host at times. All other corals and livestock are extremely healthy. This is a mixed reef and not dominant with softies, lps, or spa. Just a fair mix.
What could be hurting my RBTAs?
I can get pics if that would help.

DirtMcGurt · Jan 3, 2020

Also, my tank is just at 2 years old and my lighting is 2 Kessil 360WE lights. I have 2 gyre pumps that peak at 50% in a standard 75 gallon RR aquarium.

DirtMcGurt · Jan 7, 2020

Any ideas?

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

I guess we dont have any anemone experts on R2R. It's all good. I'll figure it out.

Webslinger · Feb 18, 2020

Do you feed them? BTA's need stability. Do you do weekly 5% water changes?

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

Finally! Thanks for the response. I do target them periodically but not regularly since I broadcast feed kinda heavy. I figured they grabbed enough from what's floating around. I've been doing water changes every 2 weeks of about 20%.

Cell · Feb 18, 2020

Need pics.

D-Nak · Feb 18, 2020

What does your CUC consist of? Do you have any crabs or shrimp? Sometimes they can irritate anemones.

Webslinger · Feb 18, 2020

A pic would help. 20% every 2 weeks might be to much of a change. Stability. I would try 5% every week.

Sdot · Feb 18, 2020

DirtMcGurt said:
Finally! Thanks for the response. I do target them periodically but not regularly since I broadcast feed kinda heavy. I figured they grabbed enough from what's floating around. I've been doing water changes every 2 weeks of about 20%.

I have had pretty good success with my colorado sunburst (Had it over 3 years, split a few times and now it's about the size of a dinner plate).

I need more details to give you a good answer. What are your water parameters? Where are the nems in conjunction to the light? How many hours per day do you keep your lights on?

FYI i would target feed them until things improve just to verify they are getting what they need.

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

This pic is several weeks old but they still look about the same. I can get a recent pic when I get home. They used to be at least 3 times larger than this. My female clown could easily fit inside the anemone with plenty of room.

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

That pic looked way better before I posted it. I'll get better ones when I get home from work.

Webslinger · Feb 18, 2020

Take one about this close.

burnetb1 · Feb 18, 2020

I would suggest feeding them directly on a regular basis. They may be struggling for energy and don't have enough zooxanthellae in their skin yet.

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

Temp: 77-79 it swings a bit but usually stays in that range.
Ph: 8.2 to 8.4
Alk: 9.0 to 9.2
Calc: 450 - 475
Mag:1320-1360, but has been up to 1500
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Phosphates: 0.08
Nitrates: 12.0 ppm - 16.0 ppm
Salinity: 1.0245 - 1.025

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

Webslinger said:
Take one about this close.

I'll get a close up. Mine used to look that good. Nice Nems!

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

How often do you folks target feed RBTAs?

Webslinger · Feb 18, 2020

I never feed mine and they are under cheap LED's. If you directly feed only do it every few weeks.

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

D-Nak said:
What does your CUC consist of? Do you have any crabs or shrimp? Sometimes they can irritate anemones.

I have some hermits and 2 peppermint shrimp but the shrimp usually hang out under their rock. I never see them come all the way out during the day.

DirtMcGurt · Feb 18, 2020

Sdot said:
I have had pretty good success with my colorado sunburst (Had it over 3 years, split a few times and now it's about the size of a dinner plate).

I need more details to give you a good answer. What are your water parameters? Where are the nems in conjunction to the light? How many hours per day do you keep your lights on?

FYI i would target feed them until things improve just to verify they are getting what they need.

I have 2 Kessil 360we leds. They are about 8 inches above the water and the nems are about 10 - 12 inches below the water. The lights run for 12 hrs. Ramping up to 60% peak intensity. I have kept this schedule for over a year. Only recently bumping up intensity from 55 to 60%. I did this a few weeks ago to see it it helped the nems.