Finally decided on adding a GBTA, please offer me some advice!!

[WienerDog]

My tank is about 7 mos. old. I was under the impression that my tank was too young for BTA. So, I was gonna do a condy...pretty, purple, healthy, but non-hosting. After getting suggestions from you guys I decided to try a GBTA. The LFS had several, all seemed very healthy. My tank is a 90g FOWLR with only a small maxi mini carpet. I have a small Ocellaris, it was given to me. I'd rather have a maroon and gold. Anyway, he's acclimating as we speak. Looking for some folks to share their experiences with me.

 

[cet98]

Looking for some folks to share their experiences with me.

I'd rather you post some pix and share yours! :thumbsup:

(I just like pix LOL! :wavehand

 

[Reef1589]

Pictures or it didnt happen.

 

[WienerDog]

Pictures or it didnt happen.

I'd rather you post some pix and share yours! :thumbsup:

(I just like pix LOL! :wavehand

Here he is acclimating...Now give me the goods.

 

[Rippinfrags]

I just recently purchased a gbta as well. Here are a couple things that I suggest:

1. Turn off your lights when you put the gbta into the tank and reduce the flow dramatically.

2. Gently place him on a rock and hold him there until he begins to cling to the rock. Once he starts to atach to the rock let him go and he will do the rest. Keep your flow low until he firmly ataches to the rock and then let him have it, but make sure you do not have a ph pointed directly at him.

3. Reduce your lighting period for the first couple of weeks.

4. Do not worry about feeding him.

5. Do not freak out if he deflates, this is normal.

6. Lastly, Maintain water parameters and I would put in some fresh carbon.

Hope this helps.

 

[WienerDog]

I just recently purchased a gbta as well. Here are a couple things that I suggest:

1. Turn off your lights when you put the gbta into the tank and reduce the flow dramatically.

2. Gently place him on a rock and hold him there until he begins to cling to the rock. Once he starts to atach to the rock let him go and he will do the rest. Keep your flow low until he firmly ataches to the rock and then let him have it, but make sure you do not have a ph pointed directly at him.

3. Reduce your lighting period for the first couple of weeks.

4. Do not worry about feeding him.

5. Do not freak out if he deflates, this is normal.

6. Lastly, Maintain water parameters and I would put in some fresh carbon.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Rippin', exactly what I was lookin for.

 

[bradleym]

I just recently purchased a gbta as well. Here are a couple things that I suggest:

1. Turn off your lights when you put the gbta into the tank and reduce the flow dramatically.

2. Gently place him on a rock and hold him there until he begins to cling to the rock. Once he starts to atach to the rock let him go and he will do the rest. Keep your flow low until he firmly ataches to the rock and then let him have it, but make sure you do not have a ph pointed directly at him.

3. Reduce your lighting period for the first couple of weeks.

4. Do not worry about feeding him.

5. Do not freak out if he deflates, this is normal.

6. Lastly, Maintain water parameters and I would put in some fresh carbon.

Hope this helps.

Excellent advice. I just want to add 2 things.

Don't worry if he moves to different spot entirely, even under a ledge in the shade. This is a common response to new lighting.

Make sure you have netting/foam over pump/ph inlets or overflows. If he walks up to one, he won't know to avoid it. I've never had a problem with it, but it's a terrible way to start the day I'm sure.

 

[WienerDog]

My O clown has been checking him out but not really getting involved. I am not sure how the relationship works. When will the clown start burrying himself? Or will he?

 

[Reef1589]

it could take some time... i had a paiur of oc's that never even cared for my RBTA at all..
and ive read stories where people have waited 2 years for them to host in a BTA...
its hit or miss really..

now ive had Maroons, and put them with my RBTA's and had them host it within minutes.. (cause its their natural host)

 

[cet98]

ditto on time...I have a pair of snowflakes that prefer to be hosted by my oversized red mushrooms than the BTA



<----- just look at my avatar

 

[WienerDog]

ditto on time...I have a pair of snowflakes that prefer to be hosted by my oversized red mushrooms than the BTA



<----- just look at my avatar

That snowflake is beautiful! We'll see what happens. I would actually dig another clown..tomato, maroon, etc. I was given the lil "O"

 

[WienerDog]

1st pic right after droppin him in, 2nd pic is lights out.

 

[Rippinfrags]

That snowflake is beautiful! We'll see what happens. I would actually dig another clown..tomato, maroon, etc. I was given the lil "O"

I'm sure you know this but just incase you don't make sure you only pair up your ocellaris with another ocellaris clownfish. Also if you do try and pair up your clown make sure you by a juvenile that's in a tank with several other juvenile clowns. Lastly, your choices as far as oscellaris clowns go are pretty extensive and IMO fantastic ex. Snowflakes, misbarred, black and white and the list goes on. you could essentially pair up your current clownfish with a snowflake clownfish!

 

[cet98]

nice....very nice...GBTA looks beautiful

FWIW, I do see quite a bit of cyano there....do you have enough flow in your tank? have you checked your phosphates? what type & how old are your lamps?

 

[cet98]

That snowflake is beautiful!

I thank you sir

I'm sure you know this but just incase you don't make sure you only pair up your ocellaris with another ocellaris clownfish. Also if you do try and pair up your clown make sure you by a juvenile that's in a tank with several other juvenile clowns. Lastly, your choices as far as oscellaris clowns go are pretty extensive and IMO fantastic ex. Snowflakes, misbarred, black and white and the list goes on. you could essentially pair up your current clownfish with a snowflake clownfish!

true dat...:thumbsup:

 

[Rippinfrags]

Your gbta looks very nice and seems to have great color. Mine did the same thing, when I first put it in the tank the tips were very bubbly. Then after about a day the bubble tips were gone and I haven't seen them since.

 

[WienerDog]

nice....very nice...GBTA looks beautiful

FWIW, I do see quite a bit of cyano there....do you have enough flow in your tank? have you checked your phosphates? what type & how old are your lamps?

I need to increase the flow. My phosphates are 0 my lamps are about a few months. I moved my PH's to the back a few days ago and in that time cyano started. I need to replace my PH's to their old position. But, thank you for the props on the GBTA. I also think the GBTA is on the move as I checked him again.

 

[WienerDog]

I'm sure you know this but just incase you don't make sure you only pair up your ocellaris with another ocellaris clownfish. Also if you do try and pair up your clown make sure you by a juvenile that's in a tank with several other juvenile clowns. Lastly, your choices as far as oscellaris clowns go are pretty extensive and IMO fantastic ex. Snowflakes, misbarred, black and white and the list goes on. you could essentially pair up your current clownfish with a snowflake clownfish!

I'd love to grab a unique snowflake. I would really hope they pair up and get hosted by the Nem. I have been lucky so far....my pistol paired with my goby immediately upon adding the pistol. My Singapore Angel, are difficult to get eating, eats everything in the tank.

 

[Rippinfrags]

I'd love to grab a unique snowflake. I would really hope they pair up and get hosted by the Nem. I have been lucky so far....my pistol paired with my goby immediately upon adding the pistol. My Singapore Angel, are difficult to get eating, eats everything in the tank.

Clownfish generally pair up quite easily but not always. Sometimes the smaller fish is killed before he is accepted by the female. Just make sure you get a juvenile clownfish because two females almost always means certain death. When you go to put the clownfish together I like to keep them separated, but allow them to see each other. I used an acrylic container that hangs on the side of the tank. For the first couple of hours she kept trying to attack him through the container, but she eventually warmed up to him. After about three hours I released him into the tank with the female, she initially went after him but soon after they fell madly in love!

 

[WienerDog]

Clownfish generally pair up quite easily but not always. Sometimes the smaller fish is killed before he is accepted by the female. Just make sure you get a juvenile clownfish because two females almost always means certain death. When you go to put the clownfish together I like to keep them separated, but allow them to see each other. I used an acrylic container that hangs on the side of the tank. For the first couple of hours she kept trying to attack him through the container, but she eventually warmed up to him. After about three hours I released him into the tank with the female, she initially went after him but soon after they fell madly in love!

Noted...I will absolutely do that!