How difficult are LTAs compared to BTAs?

[velvetelvis]

I have an opportunity to buy a "pre-owned" LTA from another reefer. It's been in captivity in several years and is apparently doing well. It would be going into a 50G species tank with an Aquaclear 500 (no sump or fuge, as it's a converted FW tank that has been up about 7 months). I'd have to buy a HOB skimmer. I have LED lighting (EcoRay 60) that is bright enough to maintain BTAs and acros in my other tank. I would keep it with a pair of clownfish (probably pink skunks) once it was settled in.

Do I sound like a good candidate to keep an LTA? I've been keeping BTAs successfully for about 6 months (not that 6 months is more than a blip in anemone time). How difficult is a well-established LTA to take care of, compared to BTAs? I'd love to keep another clownfish-hosting anemone, but I don't want to pull the trigger if I don't have the right system or enough experience. Thanks!

 

[Toddrtrex]

How deep is your sandbed?

IME, assuming that you start with a healthy one, there isn't a huge difference (( of course M. doreensis are sandbed dwelling, as opposed to rock dwelling )) in difficultly levels.

Though, M. doreensis, seem to be more sensitive to flow, and will require a bit more lighting -- could be due to them being sandbed dwelling.

 

[cichlidconvert]

With a 4" sandbed I felt they were as easy to keep as bat's. Their sting packs more of a punch and greater care taken if you have coral near them. I liked my LTA untill he got to big and started to reach for things in my tank sounds like your lighting is fine. Lower flow would be good to start with.

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks for the advice.

My sandbed is just 1"-1.5" deep. I'll have to top it off. Can I just use standard-issue substrate (I use CaribSea Seaflor) or does it have to be soft, fine sand so the anemone can dig? Is it worth it trying the PVC pipe trick to get the nem to settle?

Flow-wise, there's the return from the filter, which is broad and gentle, and I also have a maxi-jet, which I could cut off or cover, for surface agitation. There's not a strong current in the tank; just enough to make the macroalgae wave a bit.

 

[cichlidconvert]

The flow sounds good but your sanded isn't deep enough IMO. It would be on the move alot. Ive never tried or heard of the PVC trick done with an LTA. In theory it sounds good. If you add sand do so carefully there must be a thread on here that talks about how to do it. Also "new York steelio" has a you tube channel that tells you how he does it. And LTA's like softer substrate to plant themselves in.

 

[velvetelvis]

LTA's like softer substrate to plant themselves in.

Would I have to replace the substrate I have now, or just mix in something softer?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Would I have to replace the substrate I have now, or just mix in something softer?

Your existing substrate is fine -- that is what current one is in, and all the other sandbed dwelling anemones I have kept over the last 10 years -- just make it deeper.

 

[velvetelvis]

I really don't want to have to add 3" or more to my existing sandbed, but I just read a post in an old thread on here that advised putting the LTA in a deep-sided container filled with sand, and camouflaging it with rocks. Have you ever tried that? Sounds like a good solution if it works...