How to set powerheads in an anemone tank?

[m0nkie]

Hello. I want to ask what folks here use for flow in an anemone only tank. I want to focus on BTAs and keeping them safe. and I know no amount of protection on a powerhead can guarantee safety.

so what do folks use for flow in an anemone only tank? I've considered a few options. If anyone has a BTA tank, please share your opinions.

this is for a 120gallon tank.

1. using a huge over sized pump, and use pvcs to route multiple outlets in the tank.

2. hide a pump in rock backgrounds.. However, BTAs like to establish their foot in crevices. I read stories of this option failing.

3. two pumps? 1 pump with PVC pipes and different outlets?

thank you

 

[addictedreefer]

IME, BTAs are very adaptable to flow conditions. I have kept clones of the same RBTA in SPS/Ritteri/Gig tanks with face-melting flow as well as fairly low-flow LPS tanks and they have done well in both. So to answer your question, I wouldn't sweat it with BTAs - Gigs and mags are a different story.

 

[Ztrain]

I was using a Voyager 2 on my 20 gal tank with the top twisted to it's lowest setting. I think this is too little however. I recently got a MP10 setup so I still only have one direction of flow but I put it on Reefcrest at 60% so it is semi random during the day and then when my lights go to night it switches over to Lagoon mode which is still random but and a slower change over time at 40%.

I don't know if this is optimal but it's what I'm trying atm.

 

[m0nkie]

I'm not too worried about the amount of flow. I'm worried about BTA moving into the powerheads. I want to avoid using powerheads all together if possible. I saw some nice youtube videos of BTA tanks without powerheads. But I'm not sure if it's left out of the video or the owners had some other options

 

[Daniel62]

I vote Closed loop for a BT tank

 

[m0nkie]

I've read "closed loop" systems here and there. Don't quite exactly get it. Is it basically a second pump with PVC connected in a closed loop system just for circulation purpose?? I would still have a normal pump in the sump?

I got my info of closed loop from this site
http://www.melevsreef.com/node/691

 

[addictedreefer]

If you want to avoid powerheads, a strong return pump will likely provide enough flow for BTAs. I would add a seaswirl or similar to randomize the current a bit.

 

[Daniel62]

Yes if you want some type of alternating current. I have never used a SCWD switching unit

 

[mos90]

I have 3 mp40's and 1 mp 60 in my 300. The 40's run 100% for the most part and 60% for the mp60. I have 6 rather large rbta's and have never had a problem

 

[NailsInside]

If you want to avoid powerheads, a strong return pump will likely provide enough flow for BTAs. I would add a seaswirl or similar to randomize the current a bit.

Sorry, I've never heard of a sea swirl, what exactly is it?

 

[150Ron]

All my anemones, BTAs included, thrive with some alternating flow. I have a MaxSpect Gyre on alternating flow and they love it even more than the sea swirl.

 

[maxxII]

I'm not aware of any fool proof way of generating current in an anemone tank that doesn't have some sort of risk to a wandering anemone.

The ways least likely to injure/kill an anemone involve using the sump return and go to either a sea swirl, (or some similar device) or to a surge device such as a Carlson surge device.

There is still a risk to a wandering anemone as it could get caught up in the overflow, but that is minimal compared to having an intake inside the aquarium or having powerheads inside the aquarium.

Having said all of that, I've kept anemones for many years with powerheads in the aquarium and had minimal issues.

The trick is structure the set up in such a way that the anemone doesn't want to wander and is also some sort of constrained from getting near the powerheads.

 

[Branespikin]

One of my anemones keeps moving around and he gets sucked up by the powerheads but as of now thank god hasn't been sucked in completely. I am switching to gyre shortly hope this wont happen here.

 

[maxxII]

Find out why it's moving and fix the issue. No more moving, no more issue.

Gyre has intakes as well.