A Sudden Trouble

[amphiprion]

Well, I have had problem with my other tank (29G, 46G) but not this one (37G) which is my reef aquarium. This tank cycled about a month or more ago and everything has been in fine condition until last night.

My anemone gave me the first indication by sorta curling up. Similarto when I feed it and spitting out some slime. Also, water looked not so clean...

Quick test result..

PH 8.2
Salinity 1.024
Temp 78
Amonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40

So, I decided to do 20% Water Change. I had saltwater mixed up (aged) ready. In the meantime, Anemone came back to normal with some slime around it.

This afternoon, I came home and noticed that Anemone became the size of a golf ball (Long Tenticle Anemone, moderate size 4-5") and bunch of slimy stuff hanging from it . Every now and then, part from it coming off due to waterflow. This slimy stuff is similar to mashed up shrimp after washing with water for a while. Anemone isn't changing at all. Is he dead


Did another water test again

PH 8.2
Nitrite 0.25 (little less maybe)
Amonia 0.25
Nitrate 40
Salinity/Temp -same

Did 10% more water change. Only 2 fish I have is a True Percula and a Scopas Tang (I will move him shortly to bigger Tank, so no flamming )

Also I have crab (blue,red Hermit, Emerald), Tarbo Snail and other stuff, and everyone looks happy.

What is going on here? How can I take Nitrate down? Why am I still getting Nitrite?

Oh, one more important thing Some purple algae suddenly became black or dark ash color ... Dying

DSB at least 4" (46 Lbs Livesand, 15lbs reef sand). lots of life..

Hang on Protein Skimmer/Filter. Besides Anemone and that portion of the algae, and whater parameter, everything looks good (fish, Some coral)

 

[afss]

IMO and unfortunatley experience I think 1 month is way to soon to add an anemone. Your nitrates are what i would consider to be on the high side, which to me would indicate that your dsb hasn't started working yet. If your anenome is getting really slimy you might want to consider removing it before it polutes the whole tank, but that would be a judgement call on your part as to how bad it is doing. From what you have said I would guess that this is the cause of the spike in water parameters. you could always net it, if it smells bad ditch it.

You will always have some nitrite and amonia, this is caused form the break down of materials in your tank

good luck
Scott
_________________
united states recession history

 

[SPC]

This one is quite easy to answer, you broke the first rule of reef keeping "take it slow".
Steve

 

[jdeets]

Was the anemone slime white or brown? If it's brown, it might just be poop. If it's white, it could be decaying anemone.

Your 'trates are way too high for an anemone. They need very good water quality. As Steve said, take it slow. Let your DSB get up to speed. Once your DSB is in full swing, you should have 0/0/0 on your organics tests. At that point, you might consider delicate inverts like anemones.

You mentioned your salinity is 1.024. I'm sure you meant SG. You might raise it a bit. It's not excessively low, but inverts usually do better at 1.025-.026.

You didn't mention your lighting--that could also be a factor on your anemone, since anemones need good lighting to thrive. Supplemental feeding of meaty foods is also good for them.

HTH

 

[Ben1]

Are you sure the purple algea wasnt a sponge, sponges can turn black as they die. Purple coralline turns white as it dies.

I agree you need to wait a while before jumping into an anemone, they do require high lighting and IMO feeding every other day.

What lighting are you using?

 

[amphiprion]

No Metal Halide

ICECAP Ballast lighting...
Super Actinic VHO
Actinic White VHO

When I first got that Anemone, I was not Anemone literate. So, the LFS adviced me to get Long Tenticle Anemone which doesn't require intense lighting. He failed to advice me many other requirement I've learned after getting it.

Although it was doing really well. Found itself a nice place and settled in ...was eating two shrimp weekly and also all bloomed up. I never had to worry about it as it looked healthy.

Then all fo a sudden that happend. While everything else in the tank doing just fine.

Anyway, No more anemone for me. So far what I learned, I wish I did before getting it.

 

[amphiprion]

Slime is not brown... so, I think its the Anemone (but how can he starts to decay if a day before he's just fine other than a piece of slime coming out of him)

By the way, the algae was not sponge. It was dark purple (almsot blue) color algae that turned blackish (ash)