Sea anemone not looking good.. again.

[dthom]

I think those are all white lights. Not seeing much blue.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't think I see any corals in your tank, are you sure your light is sufficient for corals/anemones for your tank size? How about flow?

 

[Tahoe61]

That light is not going to cut it. For the price of 3 anemones you could probably get a black box LED like Viparspectra, you might need 2.

 

[coltpwrs7]

Anemones can be tough to keep in general so it is not surprising you are having a tough time. In my experience sebae anemones can be extra tough to keep alive. What kind of anemones were the other two?

You also should probably gain more experience with some corals before trying to keep any anemones as well. When you do try to keep any anemone again, start with an aquaculture bubble tip anemone first. You will be much more successful.

Also, from the looks of it you need better lighting.

Hopefully this comes across as helpful like I am intending to be! I have no idea of your experience level.

Those are the best two pictures I have of the first two. One was a condor and the other was a pink tip long tentacle or something.

My experience level is pretty new when it comes to salt water, about two years.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Not sure if these are good, came with the tank 2 years ago.

I'm not seeing any reference to those lights after searching its serial number.

But I have a strong suspicion you do not have the required light output for it.

 

[coltpwrs7]

That light is not going to cut it. For the price of 3 anemones you could probably get a black box LED like Viparspectra, you might need 2.

Ok cool, I’ll definitely grab some. What’s the difference between cheap LED and “expensive” LED? Just brighter?

 

[Dom]

That you've had two other anemones disappear out of sight leads me to feel your issue is water chemistry.

It would be helpful if you posted current parameters. I suspect low alkalinity and high phosphates my be the culprit. But we can't be sure until you post current numbers.

Anemones will move round the tank until they find conditions that they like.

 

[coltpwrs7]

I think those are all white lights. Not seeing much blue.

There is a strip of blue down the middle between the white, the white is just so bright it overpowers them. I put them on only blue overnight.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Ok cool, I’ll definitely grab some. What’s the difference between cheap LED and “expensive” LED? Just brighter

Like anything else, either brand or quality parts.

For your case, I'd just stick with some amazon ones. Nicrew gen 2 are great choice for budget minded.

As long as your water parameters are within margin, I can't see any other issue besides lack of light.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Ok cool, I’ll definitely grab some. What’s the difference between cheap LED and “expensive” LED? Just brighter?

Higher PAR and color range. Better lighting means you will get the more appropriate lighting your inhabitants need.

 

[coltpwrs7]

This appears to be the exact light I have, there is two of them stretching across the top of the tank.

AQUATOP MAQ-4854 48-54 Inch SkyAqua Marine LED Light with 3 Position Toggle Switch & IR Remote

Check out the deal on AQUATOP MAQ-4854 48-54 Inch SkyAqua Marine LED Light with 3 Position Toggle Switch & IR Remote at Aquatop

www.aquatop.com

 

[coltpwrs7]

That you've had two other anemones disappear out of sight leads me to feel your issue is water chemistry.

It would be helpful if you posted current parameters. I suspect low alkalinity and high phosphates my be the culprit. But we can't be sure until you post current numbers.

Anemones will move round the tank until they find conditions that they like.

I’ve never tested for phosphates, any other signs in the tank that would give away bad phosphate levels?

 

[dthom]

Good that they have some blue but judging by the color of the photo's you mostly have bright white light (unless you are using a filter). Which to the eye looks very bright, but it is not very effective for corals (anemones).

Signs of high phosphates/nitrates would be things like excessive algae growth. That is overly simplified though, as you can also have issues (sometimes worse) when they are too low.

 

[dthom]

I would recommend doing more research on lighting and get some understanding on what you are looking for. Also, those first two anemone's you bought look bleached. Sebae could have been, but it looks like there was a little bit of a tan color to the tentacles, but hard to tell since it is retracted so much.

You are doing great and seem to be really open to learning! I would recommend that you work on getting some better lighting. Find tanks here on reef2reef you like or on YouTube maybe and learn what equipment and lighting they are using. Then after you get new lights, start learning with some coral frags. Remember aquacultured is the best place to start. They are already used to being in a captive environment and your success rate will be WAY better. Then after your corals are doing great for SEVERAL month, find a nice aquacultured bubble tip anemone (BTA). I bet you will then have an anemone that does great for you.

Leave the wild caught anemones (like all three you tried so far) for later until you have more experience.
You've got this!

 

[dthom]

You will have anemones coming out of your ears!

 

[coltpwrs7]

I would recommend doing more research on lighting and get some understanding on what you are looking for. Also, those first two anemone's you bought look bleached. Sebae could have been, but it looks like there was a little bit of a tan color to the tentacles, but hard to tell since it is retracted so much.

You are doing great and seem to be really open to learning! I would recommend that you work on getting some better lighting. Find tanks here on reef2reef you like or on YouTube maybe and learn what equipment and lighting they are using. Then after you get new lights, start learning with some coral frags. Remember aquacultured is the best place to start. They are already used to being in a captive environment and your success rate will be WAY better. Then after your corals are doing great for SEVERAL month, find a nice aquacultured bubble tip anemone (BTA). I bet you will then have an anemone that does great for you.

Leave the wild caught anemones (like all three you tried so far) for later until you have more experience.
You've got this!

Thanks for the kind words and information. I’m definitely trying to learn I have a lot of respect for this hobby. This tank and a lot of the livestock fell into my hands for free and I’m trying to make the most of it.

You mentioned algae growth is a sign, I do seem to have some crazy fast algae growth. Cleaning the glass every other day. I’ll see if I can get a phosphate test kit and also do some lighting research.

The anemone appears to be a bit better.. he’s open at least but still not attached to anything.

 

[coltpwrs7]

You will have anemones coming out of your ears!

Very pretty, your light is definitely more blue.

 

[FreshSaltyGuy]

So I’ve had 3 sea anemones in my tank, two I haven’t seen in months, so I grabbed another one yesterday. Drip acclimated him, set him on a rock gently.. now this is what he looks like..
Is this normal? Should I flip him back over?

I don’t understand why I have such a hard time with sea anemones in this tank. Frustrating.

Not enough blue light and possible too high of a par

 

[Dom]

I’ve never tested for phosphates, any other signs in the tank that would give away bad phosphate levels?

Experienced users can look at their tank and make an educated guess based on observation.

But where people are new to the hobby, testing is the only way.

Post a full tank shot and lets see if we can tell you more about the tank.

 

[coltpwrs7]

Experienced users can look at their tank and make an educated guess based on observation.

But where people are new to the hobby, testing is the only way.

Post a full tank shot and lets see if we can tell you more about the tank.

I attached a small video, not sure if it’ll work.