Dying anemone? Or just new tank syndrome (long post)

Dying anemone? Or just new tank syndrome (long post)

The fact that you have any ammonia or nitrite in an established tank it may be a possibility that your tank is cycling or filtration system is insufficient for bio load. I had a similar experience early in the hobby with a BTA and a Bio Cube. Unfortunately there is most likely not enough light for the nem in a BC29. It may be best for specimen to be returned to LFS until you can figure out what's going on with your parameters. IMO.
 
My bioload at the moment is just plants. I have two torches some zoas and this nem. The filtration I have now is filter floss, purigen, and recently replaced carbon. Also a skimmer. If it would help I could make a media basket to make sure water is flowing and hitting everything right. As for lighting is it an issue on strength or the spectrum that there's not enough of either of those?
 
Blake with all the respect, I feel that you are just to new in the hobby. Nothing wrong with that. We were all new in the hobby at some point.

Your tank maybe not mature enough or you don't have enough experience. The problem that is point out here is not a mechanical filtration problem, it's a ecosystem imbalance in your tank. IMO you have to read and get better understanding in how bacteria plays a key element in the works of the ecosystems of our tanks.
 
I don't think I'm new. My tank has been up for almost two years. Don't be mislead by my post title. The tank it's self is not new, it has been up as I said almost two years and fishless for the last few months. If it's an ecosystem imbalance like you say it is then why does it not affect any of my other plants or show any other sign in my tank?
 
I don't think I'm new. My tank has been up for almost two years. Don't be mislead by my post title. The tank it's self is not new, it has been up as I said almost two years and fishless for the last few months. If it's an ecosystem imbalance like you say it is then why does it not affect any of my other plants or show any other sign in my tank?

When u say plants? you mean coral right?
 
Did you move the rocks around? Disturb the sandbed? Add or remove any live rock?

Was the tank not maintained well for a period of time?
A 2 year tank should be well established. There's gotta be some odd reason for the ammonia and nitrite.
 
Dying anemone? Or just new tank syndrome (long post)

Nothing has been moved. The rocks and sand bed have stayed the same for a long time. No new rock and I've been watching it real well. Testing as often as something looks or seems out of place.


And yes when I say plants I mean corals.
 
I don't think I'm new. My tank has been up for almost two years. Don't be mislead by my post title. The tank it's self is not new, it has been up as I said almost two years and fishless for the last few months. If it's an ecosystem imbalance like you say it is then why does it not affect any of my other plants or show any other sign in my tank?

I have been almost six years in the hobby and I consider myself a newbie. I read and listen every day about different experiences from other hobbyist and learn a lot from them and my own experiences.

The reason why other organism in your tank might look unaffected its because they have been there for a while and they can adapt themselves to the environment. When you introduce a sensible animal like anemones, that it might have been keep in a more stable tank and hit different water the reaction is immediate as we see here.

Now lets pinpoint your ammonia trouble. Have you check the water source you use for water change for ammonia?
 
Do you feed anything? Are there any larger specimens that are missing like fish or shrimp? Jdantunes suggestion is good. The ammonia has to be coming from somewhere. Either the water that you are using for water change or some sort of waste or decomposing organically in your tank. Are you using RO water? Do you have well water or city water?
 
My past fish have died. From ich that I didn't treat fast enough and then a rather aggressive crab that I got rid of. And I use RO water.
 
Did you rearrange your rock or change filtration recently? I'm just trying to help identify where the ammonia could be coming from.
 
Dying anemone? Or just new tank syndrome (long post)

Yes I did! I did move a rock. It just hit me today that I did that
My dad has updated me from home saying that it has been closed all day and moved to the far back corner of the tank. He wonders if I could take it back to the LFS and have them "house it"
Thoughts?
 
If it can be safely removed and returned that maybe a good option for the wellbeing of the specimen. It's a good possibility that in rearranging your LR you have created a small cycle in your tank due to die off on rocks. NEMs need high quality lighting and good stable water quality.
 
You can but I personally would not go over 50%. IMO letting the cycle run its course since you don't have live stock may be better. Since you rearranged you want your bacteria to build backup again.
 
Update, the anemone is in great shape now. The problem was a faulty hydrometer. I have since converted to a refractometer. After several water changes to dilute my salty water, my levels are now amazing. The tentacles are all back and even back to the original bubble tip shape.
 
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Currently I am wondering when it would be best to introduce a pair of clowns.
 
You can but I personally would not go over 50%. IMO letting the cycle run its course since you don't have live stock may be better. Since you rearranged you want your bacteria to build backup again.

FYI, the bacteria is in the sand and the rocks not in the water. You can do 100% WC without affecting your bacteria.
 
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