Hidings Anemones

TeaBiscuit · Oct 4, 2023

I have two anemones (BTA) and both when first placed into the tank started nice an open. Two weeks later they were about half way down the rock. After a couple months they move to a dark corner over by my Nero 5 wave maker. With the current there they never fully open up and really don't get a whole lot of light. This happened with my first one (small one), then about 6 months later when I bought my large one it did the same thing. Little one has been in the tank for 9 months, big one for 3.
Any ideas if they are moving there for increased flow, less light, or something else.
Pictures attached were taken in the morning before work. They generally open a little more but not a whole lot and the last picture I used a flashlight to take a better look at it.
Lights: AI Prime 16 HD
Chemistry: Nothing abnormal but I will do a full set of tests again this weekend to measure everything.
Age: Running for just over 2 years.
Equipment: Standard with ATO, Skimmer, Nero5 wavemaker.
Size: 35gal

Thanks for the help!

Rtaylor · Oct 4, 2023

They appear generally unhappy and not super healthy. There may be something they just don’t like about your tank. Do they perk up after a water change? What if you shut off the pump for a while? Do you run any carbon?

The_Paradox · Oct 4, 2023

Maybe spooked by the snail graveyard? Do they take food regularly?

TeaBiscuit · Oct 4, 2023

No carbon dosing.
No change after water changes.
Have not tried to turn off pump as I like the water movement for the health of the rest of the tank. Maybe I will try moving the pump to cause that zone to be more low flow to see if it is flow connected.

TeaBiscuit · Oct 4, 2023

Awkward position so cannot spot feed them there. When they were in the open I would but now they haven’t received any spot feeding for about a month.

CasperOe · Oct 4, 2023

You might want to run a full set of tests before the weekend!

It doesn't take that long and that's one thing off the list then..

Rtaylor · Oct 4, 2023

TeaBiscuit said:
No carbon dosing.
No change after water changes.
Have not tried to turn off pump as I like the water movement for the health of the rest of the tank. Maybe I will try moving the pump to cause that zone to be more low flow to see if it is flow connected.

Not carbon dosing, activated carbon to remove contaminants and possible chemical warfare.

CasperOe · Oct 4, 2023

Rtaylor said:
Not carbon dosing, activated carbon to remove contaminants and possible chemical warfare.

↑ ↑ ↑ Aye, what @Rtaylor says! Anemones are quite sensitive to water quality and pollutants in general so I'd strongly suggest you get that testing kit out tonight for some piece of mind!

TeaBiscuit · Oct 21, 2023

Sorry for the delay. Here are the different things I test/track regularly and just did a check of each one so here are the latest numbers.
pH= 8.2
Cal = 460 mg/L
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
Alkalinity = 10.9 dKH
Salinity = 1.0258
Temp = 78.0
Phosphate = 0

Thoughts?

TeaBiscuit · Oct 21, 2023

Update on position: Both BTAs moved now from the back corner by the powerhead, to more central at the edge of a clearing I have in the middle of the tank. Still near the bottom, still closed.

TeaBiscuit · Oct 25, 2023

Anyone see any issues with the water chemistry? Right now the only theory put forth is bad water and I cannot see which part of the water chemistry is off.
Thanks!

TeaBiscuit · Nov 1, 2023

Any update from anyone on this?

James M · Nov 1, 2023

TeaBiscuit said:
Anyone see any issues with the water chemistry? Right now the only theory put forth is bad water and I cannot see which part of the water chemistry is off.
Thanks!

Phosphate = 0
Nitrate = 0
Anemones need both phos and nitrate.

mww00ds · Nov 1, 2023

Phosphate = 0
Nitrate = 0

Your tank looks to be too clean. Nems and corals need some of both of these compounds to help feed them.

TeaBiscuit · Nov 1, 2023

mww00ds said:
Phosphate = 0
Nitrate = 0

Your tank looks to be too clean. Nems and corals need some of both of these compounds to help feed them.

Thanks!
Running Skimmer, Bioballs & chemical filtration. Rear sump for equipment with no refugium.
In chemical filtration I am have:
Activated Carbon/Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals
Purigen
Phosguard

Thoughts on what to remove or scale down?

Side note: I have a bunch of hair algae in the tank that I need to do a big removal every 1-2 weeks as it grows quick. I take out roughly 80-90% every time.

mww00ds · Nov 2, 2023

TeaBiscuit said:
Thanks!
Running Skimmer, Bioballs & chemical filtration. Rear sump for equipment with no refugium.
In chemical filtration I am have:
Activated Carbon/Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals
Purigen
Phosguard

Thoughts on what to remove or scale down?

Side note: I have a bunch of hair algae in the tank that I need to do a big removal every 1-2 weeks as it grows quick. I take out roughly 80-90% every time.

I bet that hair alge is sucking up all your nutrients, causing you news to basically starve. What all do you have for a CUC that would help eat that algea?

TeaBiscuit · Nov 2, 2023

mww00ds said:
I bet that hair alge is sucking up all your nutrients, causing you news to basically starve. What all do you have for a CUC that would help eat that algea?

I do need to top up my CUC if my LFS ever gets more in but there are currently a couple of each of: turbos (2), trochus, nassarius, and cerith. Also, have some hermits as well. For grazers I have a lawnmower blenny.
Size: 35gal cube

mww00ds · Nov 2, 2023

TeaBiscuit said:
I do need to top up my CUC if my LFS ever gets more in but there are currently a couple of each of: turbos (2), trochus, nassarius, and cerith. Also, have some hermits as well. For grazers I have a lawnmower blenny.
Size: 35gal cube

Dude that cuc is way undersized. That not even enought for my 13.5 gal tank. You may want to look into some of the online vendors. Most either are or will soon have their different holiday sale going. And you can bump those numbers up for cheap. Also keep an eye on your lawnmower blenny. Their not actually good algea controller. As they only eat 1 type and even then only when it's still microscopic. I had one that was doing good for about a year, but then it start loosing weight. I tried buying every kind of algea I could but to not avail and he passed, my wife was really bummed about it as she had named him and everything. So yeah. Good luck

TeaBiscuit · Nov 2, 2023

mww00ds said:
Dude that cuc is way undersized. That not even enought for my 13.5 gal tank. You may want to look into some of the online vendors. Most either are or will soon have their different holiday sale going. And you can bump those numbers up for cheap. Also keep an eye on your lawnmower blenny. Their not actually good algea controller. As they only eat 1 type and even then only when it's still microscopic. I had one that was doing good for about a year, but then it start loosing weight. I tried buying every kind of algea I could but to not avail and he passed, my wife was really bummed about it as she had named him and everything. So yeah. Good luck

Great. I will bump up my CUC. Any recommendations on what to get that helps with the hair algae?