Is it the lack of nitrates causing this?

[Dom]

Below are two photos of Anemones in two different tanks.

The first is in a tank whose total water volume is 25 gallons with a nitrate of 20.

The second is in a tank whose total volume is 145 gallons.


All parameters in both tanks are within 10% of each other, except nitrates. Again, the smaller tank with fully inflated Anemones has a nitrate of 20 but the big tank has no detectable nitrates. I'm guessing that the two Oscellaris clowns alone in 145 gallons of water aren't capable of dirtying up the tank to the point where nitrates are detectable.

I have begun feeding heavy and turned off my protein skimmer to get those nitrates up.

Any thoughts?
Dom

 

[Doctorgori]

Are you saying in the 2nd tank you suspect low nitrates is causing the nem to be retracted-ish ? I’m no nem expert but usually with Nems and LPS lack of extension is usually current related, as in too much…
…again, just one possible cause

 

[Dom]

Are you saying in the 2nd tank you suspect low nitrates is causing the nem to be retracted-ish ? I’m no nem expert but usually with Nems and LPS lack of extension is usually current related, as in too much…
…again, just one possible cause

But Anemones move about the tank searching for ideal conditions. If it were unhappy with light and flow, it would move.

 

[Doctorgori]

But Anemones move about the tank searching for ideal conditions. If it were unhappy with light and flow, it would move.

true, but might be easy enough to slow the flow for a day and see what gives anyway … just to eliminate suspects

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

If you aren't suplimenting aminos or attempting to simulate a high prey environment, it might be the undetectable nitrates. Could be something else though.

Personally, I'd dose to get the nitrates up to at least 1 or 2

 

[Doctorgori]

does it feed?

 

[Dom]

does it feed?

Yes, admittedly not very often. I have always let them filter feed.

When I do feed, its usually dry krill which I hydrate with tank water (keeps it from floating away), or brine shrimp.