TrevorHenry
Member
The whole point of this thread is BTAs not SPS tanks. What is your general question you're asking?
Do I even bother trying an anemone?
- Thread starter rffanat1c
- Start date
Winwood
New member
Both types of animals will thrive in similar conditions. For me this setup hinges on lighting and perhaps safeguards in place to keep the future anemone out of the water movement devices. I would just say power heads, but I'm not sure what category a gyre lies in these days.
^what winwood said. My general question is in the title of the post. Do I bother with an animal that is much more finicky with my setup. The rock comment began to address that then spiraled with opinions and no facts. So one point has been addressed and noted.
Putting the rock debate aside, does my setup appear capable of supporting an anemone? Is it worth the trouble? (I'm going to guess this answer is personal taste and goals)
Looking for those who keep them and if it is worth their time. As I stated before, I don't want a nem to nuke my tank because I didn't ask enough questions. Already had that happen at age 14 when someone who thought they knew what they were doing mentored me incorrectly. This is my first tank as an adult.
I've read success stories with somewhat dirtier tanks and some not. ThRoewer posts boost my confidence by giving me the impression many people put too much thought into it. I get the impression he knows what he is doing but isn't OCD about it. I'm trying to gauge if others would take a shot at it with this setup I suppose.
Putting the rock debate aside, does my setup appear capable of supporting an anemone? Is it worth the trouble? (I'm going to guess this answer is personal taste and goals)
Looking for those who keep them and if it is worth their time. As I stated before, I don't want a nem to nuke my tank because I didn't ask enough questions. Already had that happen at age 14 when someone who thought they knew what they were doing mentored me incorrectly. This is my first tank as an adult.
I've read success stories with somewhat dirtier tanks and some not. ThRoewer posts boost my confidence by giving me the impression many people put too much thought into it. I get the impression he knows what he is doing but isn't OCD about it. I'm trying to gauge if others would take a shot at it with this setup I suppose.
You mentioned that your nitrates were zero when bb, then I would suggest you go back to that. A nitrate of 20 is going to be an irritant to any anemone and it will not look its best. I've been there done that with deep sand bed, zero nitrates for a long while and then a slow creep up. I've had my magnificas since 2001 and they have been through it all with me. The nitrates obviously didn't kill them, but I could tell before I did a water test whether I had detectable levels of nitrate. The anemones were like barometers. When they look their happiest, the nitrates are undetectable. Years ago I decided to get rid of any sand bed, even a shallow bed can cause problems with nitrates, and since then I haven't had nitrate problems. So, to make a long story short, I don't think you're system is ready for an anemone at this point.
Well then I guess that settles it, it appears my nitrates will not suffice in this case. I was BB but like sand more than anemones. Plus I have two gobies and a wrasse that would be upset by that decision. Everyone yammers on about pristine water quality but really can never quantify it except for saying "0" everything. You'd think stable temp, stable salinity, and replenishment of nutrients through water changes would be good enough but they're not i suppose.
I'd rather have my sand bed and fish that like it at this point then a nem. I love the symbiotic relationship with clowns, but I won't risk my entire tank just for that. My tank is doing amazing with what I have so why mess with it.
I'd rather have my sand bed and fish that like it at this point then a nem. I love the symbiotic relationship with clowns, but I won't risk my entire tank just for that. My tank is doing amazing with what I have so why mess with it.
davocean
Active member
I think most were trying to help you really more than anything, and most of us do rely on a certain amount of rock for biofiltration, not that it is the be all end all.
We also look at how established a tank appears.
That little amount of rock and that sterile looking would appear to most of us as a fairly fresh tank that may not be ready, judging just by pics not knowing the tank like you do.
Sand or no sand depends on the type of anemone you wish to keep.
To answer your question, is it worth it to try, well most of us in the nem forum are here because that is what we are drawn to, so my answer would be yes, and research what would be compatible w/ your system and possibly w/ what clowns it will host, and know that BTA's are probably the most forgiving as far as conditions and lighting goes.
We also look at how established a tank appears.
That little amount of rock and that sterile looking would appear to most of us as a fairly fresh tank that may not be ready, judging just by pics not knowing the tank like you do.
Sand or no sand depends on the type of anemone you wish to keep.
To answer your question, is it worth it to try, well most of us in the nem forum are here because that is what we are drawn to, so my answer would be yes, and research what would be compatible w/ your system and possibly w/ what clowns it will host, and know that BTA's are probably the most forgiving as far as conditions and lighting goes.
I understand the thought process. Being that I know this rock amount works for me and reading material that supports it, I'm confident in my filtration. I've gone through all my uglies back in December of 2014, cyano, hair algae, film algae, etc. tank is past all that thank god. Sand was added in August so it's relatively new and I work to keep it clean along with my gobies. But I appreciate the advice
edinphilly
New member
Do I even bother trying an anemone?
I have a different set up but went through the same "is my tank ready for a RBTA" question. I ended up getting a mini maxi anemone to test it out. They don't split or grow anywhere near as big and are pretty easy to keep. They look cool too. It did find and I ended up adding a couple more. Shortly thereafter I added the RBTA and it has done very well. Easier to keep than a lot of coral. And I have a pretty high bioload tank.
EDIT - I should note it has been over a year since the last (RBTA) nem went in
I have a different set up but went through the same "is my tank ready for a RBTA" question. I ended up getting a mini maxi anemone to test it out. They don't split or grow anywhere near as big and are pretty easy to keep. They look cool too. It did find and I ended up adding a couple more. Shortly thereafter I added the RBTA and it has done very well. Easier to keep than a lot of coral. And I have a pretty high bioload tank.
EDIT - I should note it has been over a year since the last (RBTA) nem went in
m0nkie
Well-known member
I have BTAs in my LPS tank and SPS tank. I keep my LPS tank nitrate around 15-20.. but they always shoot up to 50 when I get lazy. My BTAs are fine. So will yours. Strong nitrate may **** them off initially but they are super hardy.
if nitrate does become an issue and you don't want more rocks, start carbon dosing! I feed heavy and rely on some vinegar dosing to keep nitrate down.
if nitrate does become an issue and you don't want more rocks, start carbon dosing! I feed heavy and rely on some vinegar dosing to keep nitrate down.
Do I even bother trying an anemone?
Good to know monkie. I do believe in the thought of your tank will tell you something is off but I also like the backup of science and testing. I will say I was surprised at the 20ppm level but nothing is complaining except the Zoas that propagated and grew at sand level and the diamond watchmen keeps covering them up.
My tank sure has told me in the past something was up and I've always been able to correct it. But now I realize most of those cases were due to it being newer and evolving. I finally feel like it is stable. Everyone is happy and I only have to scrape the front glass every 4-6 days of film algae.
Good to know monkie. I do believe in the thought of your tank will tell you something is off but I also like the backup of science and testing. I will say I was surprised at the 20ppm level but nothing is complaining except the Zoas that propagated and grew at sand level and the diamond watchmen keeps covering them up.
My tank sure has told me in the past something was up and I've always been able to correct it. But now I realize most of those cases were due to it being newer and evolving. I finally feel like it is stable. Everyone is happy and I only have to scrape the front glass every 4-6 days of film algae.
edinphilly
New member
I rarely test. They were 5-10 back when I first put the nems in. Currently they are allegedly 0 when I test but I had an algae issue I've been dealing with so I'm pretty sure they're consuming nitrate and phosphate making the tests irrelevant.
hotelbravo
Active member
If your worried about 20ppm of nitrates I would say your in the clear if you choose a BTA they are very tolerant of nitrates. My nitrates stay high since I grow macro in the sump and my BTAs have been doing very well even in nitrates of up to 80ppm one of the BTAs has been with me for 2 years now the other maybe 6 months.
