Red BTA not so red

[msn711]

I've had a red BTA since mid July. Recently, I've noticed that it's not so red anymore. It still accepts food whenever I feed it, only deflates maybe every other day, has not tried to move or hide, and hosts my GSM clown. In other words, it looks fine, even better after feedings.

Should I be concerned about the color loss? Anything I can do to get the red color back?

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
pH - b/t 8 and 8.3 (salifert kits don't measure in between)
alk - 11
cal - 400
phosphate .1

The nitrates did get up through the roof around mid-August. I found something rotting in my sump (never figured out what). In the past month and a half, I have upgraded from my 40br to a 120RR. And the nitrates are now down to 10. I do weekly water changes. I'm still using the lights from the 40br (2x150w MH 14k phoenix), but on Thursday I'm getting in the current usa outer orbit 2x250w MH.

Typing this out, I guess the problem was the nitrates, and it should get better with the transfer and improving water quality.

Thoughts?

 

[edwar050]

What are you running your tank temperature at? I had some color loss in my btas a little while back and noticed an incremental temperature hike. I suppose it could be alot of things. Phosphate, temp, lighting and I know that thing rotting in your sump really did not help. It sounds like you have it figured out and it should be coloring up back soon~

 

[msn711]

Thanks. The temp is steady around 79/80. That's one problem I haven't had. Hopefully, the new lights don't cause any problems, but I've got fans ready to go, and I'm going to run the fans on an AC Jr so that they come on when appropriate.

 

[msn711]

A picture of the anemone:

That's the day after feeding. It actually looks better than it did before the feeding.

 

[SVXH6]

looks starved.. try feeding it silversides every other day..

 

[msn711]

I've been feeding pieces of raw shrimp. Is that ok? I don't have any silversides. I will increase the feedings to every other day. I've been doing it rather sporadically.

 

[Genin]

yep shrimp should be fine. that is what I feed mine. the shrunken tentacles are an indication of starving and the anemone is eating its own tissues. definately up the feedings. use small bits of shrimp no larger than its mouth to help it make a come back.

 

[msn711]

Is every one in agreement with every other day? Or should it be every day? Thanks so much for replying.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

You can feed it mysis every day, but stick to every other day with small pieces of the shrimp.