LTA issues
- Thread starter saltwaterfarm
- Start date
saltwaterfarm
New member
Ok... I have many questions to answer.
Started tank cycling in early August with live rock and sand.
Took water to LFS X 2.
Placed 2 damsels in tank, late august. Also, snails, crabs
Early sept, added 2 clowns, anemone, lobster, Flame Scallops
Lobster was eaten. Waited awhile, started adding soft corals in October, started with some ricordea and toadstools. They thrived, so I added my sun, and brain, and some frags. Last week added my 2nd Clam and some shrooms. That should give you some history.
Water changes every 10-14 days (5 gals., almost 20%)
Filter cartridge change monthly.
I purchase water from the LFS, it comes in 4.4 gal jugs. Unfortunately, I do not have a box to tell you exactly what it is called, it is pre-mixed. (Sorry, I'm lazy and work a lot.)
I hope this covers sarahkucera. Also, the pics are attached... hopefully.
Maww... tell me more, please.
Thanks Again Everyone!
Lisa
If all 3 pics don't come through, they are in my gallery.
Updated Water: SG 1.025, Nitrite .3, Ammonia 0, ph 7.7, Kh 11dh
Started tank cycling in early August with live rock and sand.
Took water to LFS X 2.
Placed 2 damsels in tank, late august. Also, snails, crabs
Early sept, added 2 clowns, anemone, lobster, Flame Scallops
Lobster was eaten. Waited awhile, started adding soft corals in October, started with some ricordea and toadstools. They thrived, so I added my sun, and brain, and some frags. Last week added my 2nd Clam and some shrooms. That should give you some history.
Water changes every 10-14 days (5 gals., almost 20%)
Filter cartridge change monthly.
I purchase water from the LFS, it comes in 4.4 gal jugs. Unfortunately, I do not have a box to tell you exactly what it is called, it is pre-mixed. (Sorry, I'm lazy and work a lot.)
I hope this covers sarahkucera. Also, the pics are attached... hopefully.
Maww... tell me more, please.
Thanks Again Everyone!
Lisa
If all 3 pics don't come through, they are in my gallery.
Updated Water: SG 1.025, Nitrite .3, Ammonia 0, ph 7.7, Kh 11dh
saltwaterfarm
New member
Okay that finishes the pics... sorry I didn't get it right the first time!
maww
Premium Member
SuperNerd- The bits sticking out are mesenterial filaments- they are thread-like strands that are part of the digestive system of the anemone (Acontia are modified mesenterial filaments that are expelled for defense- these guys don't actually have them, my bad).
Lisa- your water chemistry is a problem. There should not be detectable levels of nitrite. it should all be converted to nitrate by the biofilter, especially with the amount of rock you have. That means your tank has not fully established its biofilter (not yet fully cycled). Are you measuring nitrates? Excessive nitrates could be an issue as well.
Are you feeding the anemone, what and how much/often?
Lisa- your water chemistry is a problem. There should not be detectable levels of nitrite. it should all be converted to nitrate by the biofilter, especially with the amount of rock you have. That means your tank has not fully established its biofilter (not yet fully cycled). Are you measuring nitrates? Excessive nitrates could be an issue as well.
Are you feeding the anemone, what and how much/often?
saltwaterfarm
New member
Maww- are you saying that it's not acontia??? It sounds like a perfect description of the"mass" It looks very stringy and rippled.
As far as nitrates... I have one of those little meters in the back of the tank. It is showing in the safe level. I will purchase an actual test tomorrow. I'm not sure what I will be able to find here on the Eastern Shore of MD- Howdy neighbor (kinda). I also have a nitracheck meter that I use for soil nitrate tests, I think I may have seen a variation in there for water testing... hmmm it's worth a try.
I am feeding him with one of those long syringes from kent ... brine shrimp, daily X 1. It's not much, maybe 1ml. As I have been reading over the past few days, I believe that there are better things to feed him contrary to the LFS.
Thanks,
Lisa
As far as nitrates... I have one of those little meters in the back of the tank. It is showing in the safe level. I will purchase an actual test tomorrow. I'm not sure what I will be able to find here on the Eastern Shore of MD- Howdy neighbor (kinda). I also have a nitracheck meter that I use for soil nitrate tests, I think I may have seen a variation in there for water testing... hmmm it's worth a try.
I am feeding him with one of those long syringes from kent ... brine shrimp, daily X 1. It's not much, maybe 1ml. As I have been reading over the past few days, I believe that there are better things to feed him contrary to the LFS.
Thanks,
Lisa
HI Again Lisa:
Okay your nitrites need to be at 0. Try a couple water changes to bring it down. Test regularily.I would do it ever day for a week or so.I know a pain but hey this is the fun of the hobby
That anemone is the same as mine and it will get darker. You should be feeding it silversides or krill,scallops things like that. You can feed shrimp from the supermarket just make sure it is uncooked and cleaned really we'll. Chop it up in small pieces.
Maww: is right check your nitrates they are different then your nitrites. Not as toxic but can cause problems if they get to high.
Now has it stayed put after digging it in? Is it digging its foot down. I would just do some small water changes to get that nitrite down. Remove anything you can find dead and decaying and see how it goes. Definetly look at changing the lighting out. T5's are a cost effective choice as we'll. That is what i have put on my tank and i actually think 12 is to much light. We built ours but i know you can get resonable pre built hoods.
Let us know how it's going
Lisa
Okay your nitrites need to be at 0. Try a couple water changes to bring it down. Test regularily.I would do it ever day for a week or so.I know a pain but hey this is the fun of the hobby
That anemone is the same as mine and it will get darker. You should be feeding it silversides or krill,scallops things like that. You can feed shrimp from the supermarket just make sure it is uncooked and cleaned really we'll. Chop it up in small pieces.
Maww: is right check your nitrates they are different then your nitrites. Not as toxic but can cause problems if they get to high.
Now has it stayed put after digging it in? Is it digging its foot down. I would just do some small water changes to get that nitrite down. Remove anything you can find dead and decaying and see how it goes. Definetly look at changing the lighting out. T5's are a cost effective choice as we'll. That is what i have put on my tank and i actually think 12 is to much light. We built ours but i know you can get resonable pre built hoods.
Let us know how it's going
Lisa
saltwaterfarm
New member
Lisa- I am researching upgrades now for the lights!!! I will check everything again tomorrow. Thanks so much.
He has stayed put since I shoved a whole bunch of sand in a pile and dug the hole, I also pulled out a piece of rock that usually sat in front of him. Lights are led's now and I can't tell if he is any deeper than before, but he looks happy for now.
Thanks,
Lisa
He has stayed put since I shoved a whole bunch of sand in a pile and dug the hole, I also pulled out a piece of rock that usually sat in front of him. Lights are led's now and I can't tell if he is any deeper than before, but he looks happy for now.
Thanks,
Lisa
saltwaterfarm
New member
Lisa- how often should I perform those changes? Daily?
Thanks,
Lisa
Thanks,
Lisa
I would try about a 20% first and check your levels. If all seems good then just check them everyday. If everything is not good i would do a 10% tommorrow. And then check again on Wed and go from there.I would definetly go and get a nitrates test today and see what that is reading at to. That could be causing some problems if it is to high. Although the water changes will help with that as we'll. He looks healthy from the pics. He will get a little darker with feeding. Because of your lights i would feed it regularily. Mine is a deep purple and i still feed it every other day. Just a small piece. He never spits it out so all must be good. Is it in the same spot today. Dug down any?
Lisa
Lisa
saltwaterfarm
New member
Lisa- Hey, I picked up a red sea kit for Nitrate, Phosphate, and Calcium this morning. I already had a Calcium but I didn't really like it anyway, too confusing. Of course, they were out of my water, I guess I'll be mixing after all...
I picked up my skimmer and a kent ph control to try to raise the ph a little. In addition to my nem not liking the sea buffer, it will raise alk as well. That seems to be as high as i would want it. Don't want to cause another problem.
Nem looked good this morning, seems to have gotten situated in the hole. Hopefully he will be where I left him when I get home from work.
Thanks Again... I'll keep you posted!
Lisa
I picked up my skimmer and a kent ph control to try to raise the ph a little. In addition to my nem not liking the sea buffer, it will raise alk as well. That seems to be as high as i would want it. Don't want to cause another problem.
Nem looked good this morning, seems to have gotten situated in the hole. Hopefully he will be where I left him when I get home from work.
Thanks Again... I'll keep you posted!
Lisa
keefsama2003
In Memoriam
i tried to bury mine and it still uprooted i think the 8300gph ihave is a tad much so i turned off my closed loop and its about 3k and stuff but i need to have him plant his foott im planning a 60gal wc this week so hopefully that helps also
55semireef
Moved On
Try testing your nitrites again. See if you get the same results.
saltwaterfarm
New member
OK... really nervous now! Got home, tested nitrate... it was off the chart, literally. Performed water change... approx 20%. Added protein skimmer, which is made for an aquapod or a nano, doesn't even fit under the lid. temporary issue, I can deal with that later, but I wanted it in there. Tested nitrate again, was not as fire engine red as before, but red nonetheless. Tested nitrite... still .3, ammonia still 0, ph has magically reached 8. Didn't go any further. Missing one damsel who didn't show up for dinner.
But the good news is... anemone still in the same spot.
He's probably paralyzed by the poor water quality.
Other than checking levels again tomorrow, and performing another water change, is there anything I can do???
Lisa
But the good news is... anemone still in the same spot.
He's probably paralyzed by the poor water quality.
Other than checking levels again tomorrow, and performing another water change, is there anything I can do???
Lisa
55semireef
Moved On
What kind of test kit are you using?
saltwaterfarm
New member
Red sea for nitrates, calcium, phos. Tetra for ph, nitrite, ammonia, alk.
Okay we'll.....Try another small water change 10% maybe.....Then tommorrow do another 10 and so on. Next time you are out see if you can get a nitrate sponge..(not really a sponge per say thats what they call it but its not...lol) That should help bring it down...How much do you feed? Try and find the damsel. The last thing you want in there is another dying animal
Good with the ph..lol
Good about the anemone..
Now the nitrite...That could be a bad test kit maybe...If it has not changed with the next water kit and you found the damsel i would say it was a bad kit....But the nitrates need to be at about 20 to be in the safe range i do believe.0 is best but mine have never been below 20 and everything is doing just fine...
Thw skimmer will help with the nitrates as we'll...
Try the nitrate sponge to put in the back filter and see if that helps...
Lisa
Good with the ph..lol
Good about the anemone..
Now the nitrite...That could be a bad test kit maybe...If it has not changed with the next water kit and you found the damsel i would say it was a bad kit....But the nitrates need to be at about 20 to be in the safe range i do believe.0 is best but mine have never been below 20 and everything is doing just fine...
Thw skimmer will help with the nitrates as we'll...
Try the nitrate sponge to put in the back filter and see if that helps...
Lisa
55semireef
Moved On
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8447682#post8447682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hansonfam
Okay we'll.....Try another small water change 10% maybe.....Then tommorrow do another 10 and so on. Next time you are out see if you can get a nitrate sponge..(not really a sponge per say thats what they call it but its not...lol) That should help bring it down...How much do you feed? Try and find the damsel. The last thing you want in there is another dying animal
But the nitrates need to be at about 20 to be in the safe range i do believe.0 is best but mine have never been below 20 and everything is doing just fine...
Thw skimmer will help with the nitrates as we'll...
Try the nitrate sponge to put in the back filter and see if that helps...
Protein skimmers do not remove nitrates. They remove the organics in the tank. The best range for nitrates is 0. I would call 20 the max.
saltwaterfarm
New member
Thanks again Lisa! I did find the other damsel, still alive. I do think he is stressed though, he's never missed a meal. I feed one cube of brine shrimp per day. That used to be split with the nems, until I picked up silversides today. I guess I will need to cut it in half now that I will feed the nems differently, do you think that will be enough? I generally don't see much go to waste.
BTW, do you have a fave test kit?
Also, I cut up the silverside into 3/4" pieces and gave him one, is that ok? Should I use less, or more? Bigger, or smaller? Do they like all the fish parts?
Thanks,
Lisa
BTW, do you have a fave test kit?
Also, I cut up the silverside into 3/4" pieces and gave him one, is that ok? Should I use less, or more? Bigger, or smaller? Do they like all the fish parts?
Thanks,
Lisa
saltwaterfarm
New member
hopefully, the water changes will bring down the levels...
Thanks, Lisa
Thanks, Lisa
55semireef
Moved On
It will remove the organics before they can be turned into nitrates before ammoniaification and nitrification takes place.
It prevents nitrates, but doesn't bring them down.
