I need some help!

[sandytoes]

30 gal Oceanic cube, FOWLR...
I did my usual weekly 5 gallon water change last night and today my anemone looks aweful and the spines are falling out of my Urchin! I checked my water and the temp. Nitrates are 10 ppm, no ammonia, sg is 1.024. Ph is 8.2. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. My skimmer is kept clean and seems to be functioning properly.

 

[Anonymous]

What kind of water do you use? Is it right out of the faucet?

 

[sandytoes]

I use RO mixed with Oceanic salt, temp adjusted to match the tank. My urchin is just about bald in one day!

 

[Anonymous]

How big is the tank?

Any other inhabitants, whether fish or inverts? How are they doing?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

How old is the tank? If the anemone is dying it needs to be removed from the tank asap or it'll foul the water.

Do you know what's causing the sightly elevated nitrate level? This might be why the anemone is looking bad and the urchin lost it's spines.

 

[SnowManSnow]

a water change every week is walking a thin line IMO. Personally I'd do larger changes once a month. Reason is you have all sorts of things in your water that have to stay in balance and water changes CAN cause these things to fluctuate and stay out of sync.

The fact that the urchin is loosing its spines could be the clue Here are some possibilities that come to mind.

1-the urchin is starving to death, or coud just be sick.. thus loosing it's spines and causing the spike and your anemone to react. Not bloody likely, but it COULD happen

*is somthing eating on these guys at night?

2-in RARE cases your heater could be cracked and thus shocking everyone

3-THe most probable thing that I can think of is somthing got into your water change. I would aquire some RODI water from a petstore, or a water machine at a grocery store or Wallmart, and do a larger water change. If it fixes the problem leave things alone for a while then do another 10 gallons 1x / month. (some may disagree.. but its just my opinion again )

ALSO what kind 0f anemone.. how much light, how long have you had it.

thats my 2 cents
have a good one
B.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Don't be offended at the simplicity of this question, but you DO remove chlorine if you use tap water dont you?

 

[Anonymous]

sandytoes noted using RO water, right?

the temperature was okay?

how are you testing pH?

 

[sandytoes]

Thanks for all your help fellows...
The tank inhabitants are as follows.
2 A. Percula
1 yellow tail damsel
1 lawnmower blenny
1 coral banded shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp
1very large brittle star
snails and hermits
long tenticle anemone
long spined urchin
The Anemone looks a little better today, the Urchin has lost all of his spines but three. All the other inhabitants are doing fine...I'm gonna do another 5 gallon change tonight and see what happens.

 

[Anonymous]

How large of a brittle star? 10 inch arms? They need to eat a lot and can be hard on other creatures in your tank. They will climb all over everything at night.

 

[sandytoes]

I never would have thought of the B-Star...He hides out all day, I guess it could be a possibility. but I don't think so. The Urchin lost most of his spines in one pile.
I've continued to monitor my water params and things are looking up. Why my urchin lost his spines is still in question. The Anemone is looking much better. Thanks to all who have responded!

 

[Anonymous]

I assume you did the water change. Can an urchin survive without its spines? Will they grow back?

What I know about urchins is not a lot.

 

[sandytoes]

Yeah, I did another water change (5 gallons). The urchin left his spines in a pile and has moved abou 6 inches since tuesday. I think he is still alive.

 

[Anonymous]

sandytoes...is this RO water you use from your machine, or store bought?

 

[Anonymous]

>...Can an urchin survive without its spines? ...
>What I know about urchins is not a lot.

Yeah, I can tell, Chris <running away>

(Droping the spines is the first sign that the urchin is going to be dead in a few days, if not sooner. There can be a few exceptions, so I will be interested to know if anybody have these exceptions.)