BTA home ideas

[gramma royale]

Hey all,

I may be getting a GBTA/RBTA in the next month or so, and I was wondering if anyone has any innovative ideas on how to create a home for a BTA. Ideally, I'd like it to find a comfortable spot in a rock, but if that's not possible, what other ideas are there aside from rearranging my rockwork?

I have considered PVC pipes, does anyone know how large of an anemone can fit in a 3/4" PVC pipe? Any other suggestions for BTA homes?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Lmecher]

Wouldn't that (PVC)be kind of ugly? I would just create lots of over hangs and nooks in your rock work and let it choose. In the end it will have the final say anyway.

 

[gramma royale]

I actually wouldn't mind the look of PVC in my tank. Either way, I should have clarified my statement by saying that this is a last ditch option. I would much prefer it to find a place in the existing rockwork, but if all else fails, I'd rather use the PVC than rearrange my tank.

That said, has anyone been successful using anything besides PVC?

 

[rkg]

I have a noob question. What does pvc have to do with an anemone?

 

[gramma royale]

Generally, BTA's like to have their body surrounded by rock with only their crown showing. I believe a PVC pipe may be able to substitute this environment.

 

[gofor100]

When I got my RBTA for my 60 gallon, I had a rock that was in the similar shape of a cup... just perfect for the RBTA right?

Yeah, it was, but only for the first 6 months, then it decided since it had doubled in size that it would move to a different rock. From that point on it would move a little here and there, when it finally found its permanent home... right in between two rocks in the front of the tank (I was lucky).

So in summary, make as many "perfect little spots" for the RBTA, and I'm sure it will pick the one spot you didn't think of. That's the one negative thing about RBTA's, they will sometimes roam a little while before they find their home, so be ready to move your current corals around to accomodate the RBTA.

Good luck!

 

[garygb]

I doubt a BTA would stay in PVC or ceramic. I can't recall why, but I once tried that with one of mine and it wouldn't stay there permanently. I'm not sure if it is the texture of liverock or the fact it is calcareous that seems to make the difference.

 

[chitownclown]

PVC will work til he is acclimated then he will start to move ,seeing that PVC has a smooth surface is not the thing they look for. Normal BTA placement is a area were the crevice is small at the opening and larger inside. This is so that they can insert there foot and the expand it. They use this in defense of being blown away during high water current times.

So all in all I would not even waste my time trying to make a home for a BTA, just acclimate him to the water then release him in the corner of the tank and he will find his own spot.

 

[gramma royale]

Gotcha, thanks for the assistance all.