Crazy BTA

[danoreef]

Info please about this insane BTA. I added it to the tank yesterday, I placed it in the tank at the bottom in it own little cove, after placing it there I noticed that one of my power heads flow was hitting it directly.

1st question does it not like to much flow?

during its first night it tip-toed all the way to the top of the rock and attached itself to the glass just under the over flow. where it is almost a blind spot for water flow.
I will post pics later today.

2nd question does it mind being down on the sand?

I have a 24 gallon aquapod with 150 MH 20K bulb. It is not a large anemone, right now it is probably mid size.

 

[garygb]

Yes, they do not like direct current on them and no they don't like to be on the sand, they prefer having their base in the live-rock. Often times people write about the "crazy" behavior of their anemones. Well anemones aren't crazy, they don't have brains, if they're acting weird the onus is on us not them. They are extremely successful organisms that have been around a lot longer than people and they are hardwired to gravitate toward certain things and avoid other things to survive. It is our responsibility to provide that for them, and the best way we can do that is to do research before purchasing the animal to find out exactly what conditions the anemone requires.

 

[danoreef]

Thank you for that very knowledgeable response. you are 100% correct, a lot of times the mistakes we make is in not doing our research first, probably most of the time.

 

[danoreef]

The anemone split into 2 pieces I don't think it split out of stress from bad water conditions but out of stress from the way the kid at the LFS had to scrape it off the wall. I now have 2 bubble tip anemones I hope that they both survive.

 

[garygb]

They will as long as you have good water conditions and adequate light. What are your water parameters?

 

[garygb]

I just clicked on your website, nice.

 

[danoreef]

thank you.

My water parameters are:

PH- 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Salinity- 1.024
Nitrate- 10
Nitrite- 0
Alkalinity-3.0

I recently checked all the parameters so it was easy to refer to those numbers. I also did a 5 gallon water change 2 days ago.

 

[garygb]

Temp? Obviously it would good to get the nitrates to undetectable. Although an anemone can tolerate nitrates once established, a brand new one has enough stress to deal with without dealing with pollutants. Do you know if the phosphates are also high? Are you taking any measures to get those into check? I personally would keep the specific gravity closer to 1.026 myself (BTW, salinity refers to ppt). The alk of 3 meq/L is okay.

 

[danoreef]

oops. specific gravity thats what I meant I tested phosphates, the measurement is probably closer to 0 then to 0.25. I suck with these color charts. but the results are no higher then 0.25. I also tested the nitrates again got the same reading of 10. I have a refugium and a big chunk of chaeto that is not doing its job. I do regular water changes with ro/di water and instant ocean salt. tomorrow I will get the water ready to do a large water change.

 

[garygb]

Sounds like you're getting the water quality where it needs to be, so I'm thinking both of your BTA's should make it just fine. Do try to get the nitrates down. Though 10 isn't terrible, it does suggest something is not just right. Keep us posted. Pics are always great too;-)

 

[danoreef]

will do, thank you for all your help.