SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef Guru

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

I need help! Nems won’t last

I used to have an “infestation” of Chicago’s and Colorado’s and they were splitting like crazy. Now they are not growing - in fact some melted! Possible that I’m running too low in nutrients (NO3 < 10ppm, PO4 < 0.10ppm)? This is on my frag tank, now plumbed into the main tank. Possible that nems released toxins and nuking each other? I do run a little carbon (for Ozone). Any ideas?

— /yolo

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@ktran
SCRM😎 Cool KidsSPS Slinger
Joined May 2026161 posts683 pts★5.0(1)📍 Tustin, CA
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Aug 22#2

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I have heard keeping even different RBTA strains in the same tank will have chemical warfare. Different species i'd say it's a guarantee. But at the same time I've seen tanks with multiple species too.... who knows... LOL

— Always keeping it simple

@BackbayReef

SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef GuruOP

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 22#3

@ktran wrote: I have heard keeping even different RBTA strains in the same tank will have chemical warfare. Different species i'd say it's a guarantee. But at the same time I've seen tanks with multiple species too.... who knows... LOL

That was me before but it finally caught up to me? Yes, I know that I’m stubborn, ask my wife! I might try again in a few months so what to understand why…

— /yolo

@BackbayReef

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Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 22#4

I only have 2 Black Widows left but they don’t even open up like before. So something’s up… 🤔

— /yolo

@Drexl

SCRM😎 Cool KidsSPS Slinger

Joined Aug 202688 posts364 pts📍 Porter Ranch, CA

Aug 24#5

Have you done an ICP lately to see if there's anything off? Maybe put some pieces of live rock in there for them to tuck into? They really want to secure their foot within the rock, so it may be a stress issue?

— Clams and acros

@WIshntoboutside

SCRM😎 Cool KidsCoral Nerd

Joined Aug 202610 posts54 pts📍 Riverside

Aug 24#6

How long has that system been set up? is it mature? I would think nutrients if I was throwing a rock at it. Feed your aquarium more. lol

— Help enjoy the reefing community

@BackbayReef

SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef GuruOP

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 24#7

The frag tank has been running for 2+ years. Prior to that, all the water and rocks came from another system, which was running for 1.5yrs. Last month, I’ve connected this frag tank to the main system. Nems were not doing well before & after the change. My SPS is doing very well but seems like the nems suffered. I might buy another Colorado to try again this weekend. My NO3 was low (sub 5ppm) so started to raise up to 15ppm’ish recently. Mixed reef is very challenging. @Drexl going to send in ICP this week since I was waiting for things to stabilize. Yes, I do feed heavily.

— /yolo

@BackbayReef

SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef GuruOP

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 24#8

@Drexl wrote: Have you done an ICP lately to see if there's anything off? Maybe put some pieces of live rock in there for them to tuck into? They really want to secure their foot within the rock, so it may be a stress issue?

Yes - I put a piece of LR for them to attach but not helping, won’t open up. It used to be this big!

— /yolo

@Drexl

SCRM😎 Cool KidsSPS Slinger

Joined Aug 202688 posts364 pts📍 Porter Ranch, CA

Aug 24#9

Any difference in lighting? Spectrum or intensity?

— Clams and acros

@BackbayReef

SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef GuruOP

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 24#10

@Drexl wrote: Any difference in lighting? Spectrum or intensity?

Good point - I’ve been running AB+ at 60% but cranked up to 80% peak due to more SPS. Anyway, I’ll try to get a small nem to try this again.

— /yolo

@Drexl

SCRM😎 Cool KidsSPS Slinger

Joined Aug 202688 posts364 pts📍 Porter Ranch, CA

Aug 24#11

It might be too much light, but who knows? I’m not a blue light guy, but I keep my infernos under mostly blue/violet. I think they can handle the light, but maybe they need a slow acclimation to higher intensities?

— Clams and acros

@BackbayReef

SCRM😎 Cool KidsReef GuruOP

Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)

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Aug 24#12

Possible that I had chemical warfare since I was mixing Colorado, Chicago, Mags, and Gigs all on a 90gal frag tank? Yes, I was running loads of carbon at the time. Come to think of it, after the gigs died, they probably released some nasties into the water column? I did multiple 50% WCs after that happened though. Now the same 90gal is joined with the 450gal, I have yet to try again. I might try to score a nice Colorado or Inferno this weekend. Just wondering what I’ll do differently this time around…not mix & match nems would be a first start?

— /yolo

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