Last night my wife and son surprised me with a BTA. I drip acclimated it and put it in the tank about 5 minutes before lights out. The moonlights were on. I placed it near the top of my bigger rock structure, out of any major flow, everything seemed fine. Fast forward to this morning, I wake up table a look at the tank and can't find the nem anywhere. I eventually spotted him on the bottom of the tank in a really small cave. I dont even know how it managed to get in there. Right now it looks to be attached upside down in the cave and is semi closed up. What should I do, should I wait it out a little more, or should I start deconstructing my rock pile to get him out. HELP.
Anemone help please
- Thread starter Jstadler
- Start date
They do like to attach in caves or crevices in the liverock and attached upside down isn't at all unusual. As mentioned, you will want to put screen or sponge over the powerhead intakes for the time being since the anemone may wander around a few times before it finds a spot it wants to stay in permanently. Also, could you provide some info about your tank, e.g. size, filtration, lighting, water parameters, etc.
bazineta
New member
No worries....they need to have their foot in a spot that feels safe to them, typically either wedged in a crack in the rock, or under a ledge. Where you've described it is exactly what would be expected; note that they also like to be near flow, for example, just under it, but not directly in the path of flow, turbulent if possible.
In general, they'll roam around a bit, find a spot they like, and stay there forever. If they keep roaming, you'll want to consider the above and make changes to suit, e.g., redirecting a powerhead, etc., but it sounds as if it may have already found a suitable location.
They will close up from time to time, often at night. This is not a big deal, and to be expected.
Powerheads can be a problem in the roaming stage. Koralia and Tunze intakes tend to be relatively narrow and gentle, so I wouldn't worry with either of those; other makes would concern me more during roaming.
In general, they'll roam around a bit, find a spot they like, and stay there forever. If they keep roaming, you'll want to consider the above and make changes to suit, e.g., redirecting a powerhead, etc., but it sounds as if it may have already found a suitable location.
They will close up from time to time, often at night. This is not a big deal, and to be expected.
Powerheads can be a problem in the roaming stage. Koralia and Tunze intakes tend to be relatively narrow and gentle, so I wouldn't worry with either of those; other makes would concern me more during roaming.
Thanks for the help guys. It moved out of the small cave into a larger one, but only looks partially attached. I'll keep an eye on it. Water parameters were just checked today just in case. SG 1.025
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nirates 10
Temp 79.9
Ph 8.2
Aquaticlife fixture with 2 T5 actinic 2 150w MH 4 Led moonlites
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nirates 10
Temp 79.9
Ph 8.2
Aquaticlife fixture with 2 T5 actinic 2 150w MH 4 Led moonlites
The tank was setup in Sept and has been very stable, like I said it was brought hone to me as a surprise. Now I'm trying to make it work.
todd williams
New member
I had a Purple BTA roam for months before it settled down. It was a constant worry as it got caught in power head early on and had to be rescued. They can swell up like a balloon and just let go to follow the current wherever it takes it. They do settle once they find a spot they like. I have had them stay in the same spot for years. You can try to encourage it but in reality they go where they go when ever they like.
Sounds like you have a awesome lady there. Just resist the urge to get too much going with a young tank. You will still go through some nasty algae blooms and other perilous adventures until your tank matures and becomes really stable. Adding too much too early will have the effect of throwing everything out of balance and cause you lots of grief.
Enjoy your new friend.
Sounds like you have a awesome lady there. Just resist the urge to get too much going with a young tank. You will still go through some nasty algae blooms and other perilous adventures until your tank matures and becomes really stable. Adding too much too early will have the effect of throwing everything out of balance and cause you lots of grief.
Enjoy your new friend.
Thanks for posting the parameters, the only one that would be of concern to me is the nitrates. They aren't high enough to kill your BTA, but they are high enough that it may irritate it. A good skimmer, regular water changes, activated carbon &/or resin, not overfeeding go a long way toward keeping nitrates very low. Also, chaetomorpha in a sump, liverock in the sump, etc. also can help. Good water circulation also helps the protein skimmer and filter do their jobs and facilitates lowering the nitrates.
The nitrates concern me too, I've been working on getting them down to a safer level, I have what I belive to be a decent skimmer and have been skimming wet to try and help out, Trying to keep up on water changes, ahve Cheato in the sump as well as 75lbs of sand and 25 lbs of live rock, My circulation will get better after Christmas when my other powerhead is here. My irritate it what would be an indication of irritaion, I don't know how I'm gonna feed it though, all tucked away in it's hiding spot. I'm a little worried though. I'm thinking of adding some carbon tonight after work, any idea how much I should be using?
Thanks again for your help.
Thanks again for your help.
bazineta
New member
I have never fed my RBTA, and would recommend not feeding, especially if it has clown fish associated with it.
Bulk Reef Supply has a calculator that might be useful for your carbon question.
Nutrient export can be hard. Getting rid of nitrates pretty much boils down to the easy stuff, i.e., water changes, macroalgae in a refugium, and the harder stuff, i.e., DSB, RDSB, vodka dosing or NP pellets, sulfur reactors. I use a DSB, chaeto, and water changes, but staying on top of the water changes is, I think, the best thing you can do.
Bulk Reef Supply has a calculator that might be useful for your carbon question.
Nutrient export can be hard. Getting rid of nitrates pretty much boils down to the easy stuff, i.e., water changes, macroalgae in a refugium, and the harder stuff, i.e., DSB, RDSB, vodka dosing or NP pellets, sulfur reactors. I use a DSB, chaeto, and water changes, but staying on top of the water changes is, I think, the best thing you can do.
You asked how nitrates might irritate your anemone. Wandering around and not expanding normally are what come to mind. An established anemone can tolerate fairly high nitrates, though it's anything but ideal. On the other hand, a newly acquired anemone isn't as resilient so keep working on lowering the nitrates. Regular, weekly 10-15% water changes would be helpful I expect.
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