Bubble Tip Anemone moving

[subman719]

I need help/advice. I have a Bubble Tip anemone that stays put in the front of my tank for several weeks but then packs up and moves to the back of the tank behind the rocks. I moved the rocks, brought him to the front and then after a while, moves back behind the rocks. This is my second bubble tip that keeps doing this. I seams they don't like the water flow or light in the front and keep moving to the shade and less water flow. I have a 90 gal with about 400 watts total flourescent lights (compact and T-5's) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[timrandlerv10]

invert all your stuff. move the pumps from back to front/front to back. turn your lights around. make the back environment the front, so he wants to be there.

it may not be that difficult, you may be able to just move or aim one minijet to make a different part more appealing.

you just have to make him want to be in the front by making the front perfect.

good luck!

tim

 

[subman719]

Thank's for the tips. I can't swap the rocks or the lights around because of how the tank is set up, but I will try redirecting my powerheads and pump returns away from his direction.

 

[BonesCJ]

I know my BTA's never liked strong flow, that made them move, also BTA's like to have their foot hidden in the rockwork.

 

[subman719]

Thank's Chris, His foot was wedged into the rockwork but I now think it was the flow being too strong. I have 3 powerheads on a wave timer plus the pump returns at least 600 GPH. I think I have about 1500 GPH worth of movement going on in the tank and he was front and center of the tank, getting hit from all angles. The sucky part of all this is now that he's in the back behind the rocks, I have to dig out the rocks again to get to him. This is getting sooooo old! I can't believe a "blob" of noting could have such and attitude/personality.

 

[donna53w]

Anemones will go where they are comfortable. Unfortunately, digging it out, and moving it to the front of the tank once again, will most likely result in it's moving yet again, ... if you don't change/lessen the flow in the front of your tank. To keep moving it, may result in stressing it, leading to an unhealthy, unhappy anemone. JMHO.
Donna

 

[subman719]

Thank's Donna, I had one before this that went to the back and died so I'm concerned about this one since it's displaying the same habbits. I will change my flow in the front and make him a quiet space. These things are supposed to like the light, right??? My only catch 22 is I still need enough water flow to hit all the corals.
Bob

 

[donna53w]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11153814#post11153814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by subman719
Thank's Donna, I had one before this that went to the back and died so I'm concerned about this one since it's displaying the same habbits. I will change my flow in the front and make him a quiet space. These things are supposed to like the light, right??? My only catch 22 is I still need enough water flow to hit all the corals.
Bob

Hi Bob,

I know what you mean; it's hard to keep all occupants healthy & happy in a smaller tank. Your anemone will find the space that is suitable to it, so if you reduce the flow somewhat, perhaps that will be enough for it to move out from the back. They do like good lighting, for sure. It also depends on what type of tank it was in when you purchased it. My experience with the BTA was to just let it settle on it's own, & eventually it did come to the front (this was in a larger tank with MH lighting) and settled right in. I target-fed it raw, frozen shrimp & it was very happy. It is now residing in my son's 72g tank, along with 2 clowns. And again, when it was moved to his tank, it was a waiting game to see where it would settle in.

Have you checked your parameters: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphates, calcium, SPG, etc?

Regards, Donna

 

[donna53w]

Sorry, Bob, I just read your profile & see that you do have a large tank. I was thinking you had an RSM 34g, like me, for some reason. doh! However, the info still applies as far as the anemone goes. It will like some flow, but perhaps just not as strong as it is.

Donna

 

[subman719]

Hi Donna, Thank's for the advice. I haven't moved any powerheads or the 30+ LBS of live rock to get the enemone. First I'll work on the flow situation, then I'll dig him out again. I posted a couple of pics of the tank but it's hard to see. I took them at such high resolution that once I reduced the file size, you now need a magnifying glass to see them. I'll have to take new pics with a lower starting resolution. Thank's again and I'll keep you posted!

Bob