adding a HUGE RBTA

[rob1991]

so i am buying an RBTA off of someone...its an awsome color and its the size of a dinner plate! only for $50! anyways i have a few questions i think i found a good place for it away from most corals.....it is more towards the back of my 135, its gunna to be almost right under a 250 watt MH bulb.....about 5 inches or 7 inches from the surface.....its about a foot and a half from the koralia 4 i haev 2 in my tank but most of it will be covered from the flow by rockwork.....will this be a good place? i haev 2 clown fish eiher false perc of occ. clowns hosting a BTA thats white on the other side of the tank that anemone is not even big enough for both of them to be in at the same time i would say 2-3 inches in diameter....will those clown fish host my new one? what are some tricks to get the anemone not to move! i have heard of feeding it while there but im not ure how full proof that is. thanks in advance all!

 

[Slakker]

Odds are it'll move regardless of what you do to try to keep it there.

Get ready to start moving corals out of its path.

 

[garygb]

My concern would be acclimating the anemone to that much light, unless it's current home is right below a 250 watt MH too. You mention that the other BTA in the tank is small and white, that doesn't sound normal. What's going on with that anemone that it would be white? How are your nitrates and other water parameters?

As far as keepi g the anemone where you want it, as Slakker said, it might wander around a little at first regardless. Is there anyway you can get the piece of live rock it's been living on along with it and very carefully transport it and it's rock together? If that's not an option, I've found that an overhand where the anemone can put its foot on the underside and then extend out and upward with its tentacles, making a "J" shape of its body, is a favorite postion of BTAs.

 

[Lmecher]

Good price for one that big, congrats! You should not mix species, what kind of anemone is the white one? I would aggressively activated charcoal. I have a theory about them moving. If they are happy with the flo and lighting your chemistry is right on and they are well fed they should stay put. This has been the case w/mine although they do move when getting ready to split. This has been well over 2 years. I have rescently acquired a teeny little rbta that was a horrible roamer form my brother. Since I have added it, it moved 1 inch the first day and since I have been feeding it 2 mysis shrimp every day (it has been less than a week) it has stayed put. Previously it was not fed, we will see if feeding helps. When it comes to anemones nothing is foolproof, they are full of suprises. I would bet they make the transition to the new anemone very easily. What kind of lighting is this new rbta under now, if less than what you have you need to acclimate it or you stress it. I would sccilmate w/lights off. Place where you would like it to stay. Shade it form direct lighting with something inflamable tinfoil works. Move it a little every couple days to expose it to more and more light until over the corse 2 weeks it can tolerate direct lighting. And find out what it has been eating and feed it well 2-3 times a week. With the best planning it still may move. You should still cover the intake of your powerheads.

http://www.karensroseanemones.com/coverpowerheads.htm

 

[rob1991]

the white BTA i got from someone it has been white in my tank for 2 months and it was the same white in his for 4 years! lol so idk its always bubble though its never like extends its tenticles there always bubble shaped so idk......ummm lighting wise i am pretty sure the guy has the same lighting as i do...