Is he a goner?

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

This anemone has been healthy for about three months. Last week I noticed a dead prop and replaced it. During the downtime he deflated and moved around a few times. He has been deflated for a week but is still clinging to the rock.

ReefReadyYouTube · Feb 4, 2020

How’s your lighting?

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

ReefReadyYouTube said:
How’s your lighting?

AI Hydra 26 using one of their “expert” schedules.

Dom · Feb 4, 2020

How long have you had him?

As long as he is attached to the rock by its foot, I'd call him unhappy at the moment. But it is certainly time for you to intervene. We do this by figuring out what has changed in the environment as Anemone looks and behavior will change based on water conditions.

Please post your latest water parameters. Be sure to include:

- Temperature
- Salinity
- pH
- Alkalinity
- Phosphate (PO4)
- Nitrate (NO3)

And as previously mentioned, lighting.

A full tank picture would also be helpful.

Lets get this guy happy again!

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

Dom said:
Please post your latest water parameters. Be sure to include:

Ran some quick tests before the kids wake up...

Temperature: 76.8
Salinity: 1.026 SG
pH: 7.8
Alkalinity: 6.3dKH
Phosphate (PO4): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 10 ppm

Nitrates have always been high in this tank but not quite this level. The biggest change since my last test (5 weeks ago) is alkalinity (previously 7.7). The only significant recent change is my water. I previously mixed my own and recently i have been using Nature's Ocean Nutri-SeaWater Natural Live Ocean Aquarium Saltwater, 4.4-gal jug for convenience.

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

Dom said:
A full tank picture would also be helpful.

terrible looking pic with everyone closed up or sleeping but here is the full tank.

Dom · Feb 4, 2020

BonzaiB said:
Ran some quick tests before the kids wake up...

Temperature: 76.8
Salinity: 1.026 SG
pH: 7.8
Alkalinity: 6.3dKH
Phosphate (PO4): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 10 ppm

Nitrates have always been high in this tank but not quite this level. The biggest change since my last test (5 weeks ago) is alkalinity (previously 7.7). The only significant recent change is my water. I previously mixed my own and recently i have been using Nature's Ocean Nutri-SeaWater Natural Live Ocean Aquarium Saltwater, 4.4-gal jug for convenience.

pH and Alk are a bit low for my tank. I would get the Alk up to 9. I expect the pH will come up as a result of raising your Alk.

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

Dom said:
pH and Alk are a bit low for my tank. I would get the Alk up to 9. I expect the pH will come up as a result of raising your Alk.

I have a jug of kalkwasser from BSR. I'll run their calculator and slowly bring it up to 9.

Dom · Feb 4, 2020

BonzaiB said:
I have a jug of kalkwasser from BSR. I'll run their calculator and slowly bring it up to 9.

Check before you use Kalk.

I believe that will elevate calcium and drive down Alk.

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

His foot swelled up a bit and it looks like he is moving again.

Webslinger · Feb 4, 2020

looks like he split?

E13MentX · Feb 4, 2020

I had mine look like that and I increase the flow a bit more and it fully recovered. But just be careful about it getting sucked in by the wavemaker

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

Webslinger said:
looks like he split?

is that a thing?

BonzaiB · Feb 4, 2020

Dom said:
Check before you use Kalk.

I believe that will elevate calcium and drive down Alk.

Yes, you're right. I do also have a jug of sodium bicarbonate somewhere. Thanks for all of your help!

Webslinger · Feb 4, 2020

BonzaiB said:
is that a thing?

Yes, BTA's split all the time. Usually take a few weeks for them to heal back up. Leave it alone and it should be fine.

Dom · Feb 4, 2020

Webslinger said:
looks like he split?

Or is in the process of...

Dom · Feb 4, 2020

He may be in the process of looking for his happy spot in the tank.Obviously, he wasn’t happy where he was and is looking for a new place. Has flow in the tank changed at all?

vetteguy53081 · Feb 4, 2020

Not dead but I see a few things ( no reason to chase the numbers or panic)

Temperature: 76.8 - Raise to 78
Salinity: 1.026 SG
pH: 7.8 - Raise to at least 8.0
Alkalinity: 6.3dKH - Should be 7-9
Phosphate (PO4): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (NO3): 10 ppm - Drop list at least by half ( water change generally will cure)
Moderate light and water flow

Uncle99 · Feb 4, 2020

While I would agree that bringing up the numbers somewhat is in order, keep in m8nd that it’s the stability that drives the success of our tanks and inhabitants.

I would do nothing at all unless he starts to fall apart, which I doubt in this case.

NowGlazeIT · Feb 4, 2020

I believe it is a water quality issue and lack of stability. It is more uncommon that the problem is flow or light with anemones. They move to wherever they get enough of the two. Then there are those random issues. Like pest or stray voltage. Start with the water and use accurate and redundant testing practices.