BTA in a mixed reef aquarium

[PRI]

As I'm getting closer to having my dream aquarium built I've been having second thoughts about moving one or both of my RBTA's to the larger tank.

My RBTA reached about 14 inches in diameter before splitting recently and it has always restricted the number of corals I can safely place. I have to leave room to move rocks and corals out of the way when the nem wanders and it interferes with my goal of having a grown out naturally appearing reef.

Would creating an 'island' of rock separated by maybe 4-6 inches of sandbed on either side be an effective deterrent to prevent the BTA from traveling away from it's designated area?

This will be a long aquarium, thinking about 84x30x30 so I'll have plenty of space to work with. Alternatively I may just keep the smaller tank running as an 'RBTA dominated'

 

[Tmoriarty]

Yes and no. Lol, I know that isn't the answer you want so I will explain better.

If you create an island it is only as effective as the location the island is placed. Basically anything the anemone can touch it can move to, but they are less inclined (BTA's) to cross sandbeds (barebottom they cross happily).

I keep a mixed reef with BTA's and magnificas that also has SPS and LPS in the tank and I have yet to loose a coral (knock on wood) to any of my anemones. I have had anemones walk a couple times to up the glass but that problem was resolved with better flow direction (if the rocks where further from the glass it wouldn't have happened).

BTA's like to have their food hidden, usually in a crevice/hole, or under an overhang. If they are happy they rarely move from their position. Your best bet is to create an island and possibly drill a hole in the rock large enough to cover the BTA's foot. I have a BTA in a natural hole in a rock that refuses to move no matter how much I bother it (I have tried to move it three times).

BTA's that are extremely un happy will let go of the rocks and "float" to a new location, so even an island wont prevent that from happening. But if you give it a good location and proper conditions you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Best of luck and if you wan't any pictures of my island setup, let me know.

 

[accordsirh22]

my bta hasnt moved since it found its home the first night in my system. not sure if that helps you at all lol

 

[barry_keith]

The can float around and end up anywhere. Find a rock with a hole or cave big enough for the nems foot to go in. I believe that's the key. If its foot is safe the nem feels safe and shouldn't move. Mine has been on the same rock for over a year, the same rock I put it on when I bought it. I have moved it all over the tank in various conditions and it has never moved. Good luck.

 

[PRI]

Thanks much for the input. Pics are always nice to appreciate to if you get a chance.

I like the idea about drilling out a hole, might be useful depending on the LR I get for the new tank. The tonga branch rock in the current tank provides tons of hiding places for the nem foot. In fact it was the number of good places for it to attach that started me thinking about restricting the hiding places to help keep it put.

No other reason I can think for it to move. Lighting is more than adequate making 200 PAR at the sandbed and 500+ near the top. Strong random water flow from a pair of Vortech pumps and water quality is good. I figured it was relocating for food and started feeding it more and it split within a few weeks. I've had this RBTA for about a year now and it's grown immensely.

Hadn't really considered them crawling up the glass but that's a good point. Gonna have to think about this awhile longer. I want some natural spacing in the new tank and having trouble visualizing how this 'rock island' would look. Thought about going wider than 30 inches but that complicates lighting, water circulation and maintenance.

 

[PRI]

Just for fun here's a pic of my RBTA right before it split.