BTA Daily anemone deflation normal?

[Tmoriarty]

I have a RBTA that closes up at around the same time daily (5-6pm pacific time), this is around the time my daylight lights go off and the tank is lit by only actinics. I was wondering if this is normal behaviour for BTA's. After it deflates it reinflates to a closed state and remains that way through the night until the lights come back on. Once the lights are back on it opens back up to its full size.

Tank is lit by 4 t5ho bulbs, two actinic and two daylight. Should I change out some of the bulbs for newer ones (they are only 4 months old) or try putting another daylight bulb in place of one of the actinics? Anemone has been in the tank for around a month, maybe more. It has not moved in almost a month either.

Tyler

 

[Tmoriarty]

bump... anyone???

 

[cichlidconvert]

Ok so I am a beginner at the rbta also. But Mine does the same thing. It starts to deflate right before the actinics start to turn on and slowlt starts to inflate while the actinics are on then once the moonlights come on it inflates to its closed position. and then deflates again at o dark thirty before inflating fully for the day. I was thinking its because my daylight cycles were on too long. So I started them a half hour later and ended a half hour later and did not see it deflate. But that is only one day. As I have learned I need to watch everyday for awhile to get an idea as to whether it will work or not.
Also it is a good thing that your anemone hasn't moved yet. It means it is happy with its position.I will keep you updated as to whether the light cycle has amended the problem.

 

[Tmoriarty]

My light cycle was shorter... only on for 8 hours. I increased it to be 10 hours today and Ill see if that changes any of the behavior. I have bought a second anemone, a GBTA and it has deflated for the night in a similar fashion as the RBTA but then again its only been in the tank since Saturday and is still adjusting. Anyone with a lot of BTA experience care to chime in??

 

[Surf&turf]

They will do that. Sometimes you will see them excret a brown slim when they do that.
Just going to the bathroom.

 

[TDesaulniers]

My light cycle was shorter... only on for 8 hours. I increased it to be 10 hours today and Ill see if that changes any of the behavior. I have bought a second anemone, a GBTA and it has deflated for the night in a similar fashion as the RBTA but then again its only been in the tank since Saturday and is still adjusting. Anyone with a lot of BTA experience care to chime in??

There's no need to up your lighting. That would IMO only cause the RBTA to deflate more. Photosynthetic invertebrates could easily capture 6-7 hours of light for the zooxanthellae algae to give enough energy to your BTA. I only give my 4 BTAS (two RBTA, GBTA and BTA) 6 hours of T5 and the only time they deflate is when the lights go out or I leave my lights on longer then 8 hours. Water change and running new carbon never hurts either.

 

[ReefCupid]

Im no expert here but my first RBTA I got 3years ago deflated after introduce it to my tank. So I try moving it to a higher flow area and it bulbs up again. After that I added more powerhead to my tank and never had any deflated issue again. Hope that help..

 

[tallreefguy]

Yes, thats normal in my experience.
I had a GBTA that would deflate at least once a day, more often if I fed it (expelling waste)
My Blue carpet deflates every night when the lights go off.