LTA Splitting? or Dying?

[TomTheWicked]

I notice this morning that the mouth on my LTA was a bit larger than normal, so I began to pay close attention to it as the hours went by. So, in the last 2-3 hours or so, I've noticed the mouth getting larger and larger, while also becoming "swollen" looking. I can't get a good look at the foot since it's buried pretty deep. Is the anemone splitting? Or is there a serious problem?

I'll try to get some pics posted shortly.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Toddrtrex]

M. doreensis (( LTA )) do not split, so this might not be a good thing.
A picture would help a lot.

How long have you had it?
How long has your tank been set up?
Current water parameters -- with numbers please.
What size tank?
What lights?

 

[TomTheWicked]

M. doreensis (( LTA )) do not split, so this might not be a good thing.

I forgot, I had read this when I was doing research, but since slipped my mind.

A picture would help a lot.

Attached

How long have you had it?

Since last November.

How long has your tank been set up?

Since October

Current water parameters -- with numbers please.

SG - 1.023
Ph - 8.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
Nitrite - 5ppm
Phosphates - .25ppm

What size tank?

65G (18" x 36" x 24") w/20G sump.

What lights?

DIY LED setup.
12 x 10,000K
12 x 6,500K
24 x Royal Blue Actinic
8 hrs/day for whites, 2.5 hrs/day actinic

I know the tank was too young to put an LTA in to begin with, but I feel like I've done a fairly good job with maintenance and keeping good parameters. Now, I know that this doesn't mean I haven't made mistakes along the way, or that I've gained sufficient experience to keep an LTA, but I sincerely believe I've done a good job so far.

Also, I posted here when I first got it, so you could compare pictures from when it was "new".

On another note, coincidentally I talked to the original owners (who surrendered the LTA in November) at the LFS last weekend. They said that they owned the LTA for about 18 months before they surrendered it. And of that 18 months, the LTA was completely bleached (they gave supplemental feedings) almost the whole time. How much would this shorten the lifespan of the nem?

Also, I think it's worth noting that I was cleaning some algae out of the tank when I first noticed this. I did stir up quite a bit (from scraping off the glass) and some settled in the tank. Would this cause this type of "agitation"? Additionally, I took out to large clam-shells that were right next to the nem and it got a small amount (~1 tbsp) of sand on the disc. Is this also a potential reason? Am I just super paranoid?

Thanks again,
Tom

 

[Toddrtrex]

Good reply.

I would raise the SG up to 1.0256
Work on the phosphates -- using RO/DI water? If so, what is the TDS?

Given the extra info, it could just because you ticked it off. If it has been looking/acting normal prior to you I wouldn't be too concerned. The sand could have caused this too.

Once in a blue moon (( usually after I mess with the tank )) my S. haddoni will protrude its month a bit, only to be back to normal within hours -- have had this one for about 5 years now.

So, I would just keep an eye on it, and work on the 2 things I mentioned above. IME, the anemone being bleached in the past doesn't affect its life span -- of course since they can outlive us, this is just an educated guess.

 

[TomTheWicked]

I would raise the SG up to 1.0256
Work on the phosphates -- using RO/DI water? If so, what is the TDS?

I can raise the SG with the next W/C, which is tomorrow. I'll probably mix about 15G of 1.025, but only take about 13G out of the tank (I have extra room in the sump). I'm thinking that should raise the SG to around 1.024, and then I won't ATO for a day or so, and will be around the 1.025 mark over a period of ~2.5 - 3 days.

The consistent .25ppm phosphate reading is actually why I decided to remove the two shells (they were pretty large, about 6" across/ea). I also just plumbed (last night) a BRS Dual Carbon/GFO reactor, but haven't turned it on yet. The TDI monitor on the RO/DO unit quickly fluctuates between 0 and 1 ppm, I'm not really sure if this indicates I should change the filters yet. Any advice?

Given the extra info, it could just because you ticked it off. If it has been looking/acting normal prior to you I wouldn't be too concerned. The sand could have caused this too.

Good to know, I'll be keeping a close eye on it.

IME, the anemone being bleached in the past doesn't affect its life span -- of course since they can outlive us, this is just an educated guess.

Good to know as well.

I really appreciate your response.