Help with RTBA

[t11t5]

I bought a RBTA about 3 weeks ago. The first few days it looked great. About a week ago it got sucked into a powerhead. I sat it on the sand and it came out. The nem went into the rock and has not come out. So today I look at my tank and see the nem is on the outside edge of the rocks pile. It looks really good. Now the stupid thing is back in my pump. What the heck is going on?

 

[mc-cro]

Its probably moving around because its not happy. I have even seen them puff up like a balloon and float away. Very easy to see how if he was floating around he would get sucked into a PH.

To me that is the hardest part of keeping an BTA, just getting it to settle in and stay. Once it finds a spot it likes, it will attach and stay there for years. I have had them detach move around then entire tank and then come right back to where they were to sit for another year or two.

fwiw,when I introduce them, I usually put them at the base of my rocks, and let them climb up to wherever they like the flow and light levels.
edit: i see you did put him on the sand. possibly move him over to the other side of the tan, and see if he likes those living conditions any better

 

[Top Water]

I had one go in an overflow 3 times in a row. They will settle down when they find a spot they like though. It can go in rocks out of site for a while but if its way too long they will turn white (weeks)and shrink but still be able to come back.

 

[bradleym]

Perhaps you should wrap the PH in window screening for a couple months until it settles down.

 

[velvetelvis]

+1 Cover all of your intakes and powerheads.

 

[t11t5]

When I got home it didnt look to good. Its super small and white. Some of the tentacles were laying on the sand. Should I leave it alon for awhile or is it dead?