is this normal for BTA?

M

metzz71

New member
I have this BTA that has been in the current state for about 1.5 months. When I got him he was white, full, and bubbly. Now he is just wide open. Seems to eat well, I give him food and he pulls it in and every day or two he expels. He does not move around but a couple inches once. I also have a hatian that is full and been great since day one, about 4-5 months now. Just thought I would ask you folks if there is something wrong with him.

I have been changing about 10 gallons a week of an est 120g total (60g DT)
Ph 7.9 - 8.1
Sg 1.26

Thanks in advance
 

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What are you running as far as lights? The nem is rather pale still, it should be either greening or redding up depending on whether it's an RBTA or GBTA. It's a good sign that it takes food, but it needs to colour up in order to survive. Good quality light is required in order to get the zooxanthellae to normal levels inside the anemone.
 
Are those High Output T5's? If they are normal output they may not be enough light, then I'd say try slowly moving it closer and closer to the light, and of course like everyone says you should make sure your nitrates but most importantly phosphates are low. I don't think anemones are supposed to be white, because the algae inside of the anemone that gives it its color is what also gives it its food via photosynthesis.

Just curious, is your haitian anemone white?
 
Thanks, my T5's are the HO's. The issue I face, the canopy does not allow for 48" lights inside, while the tank is 48" wide. Therefore I am forced to use 36", and that equals 156 watts of light. Those two units are about all I can handle front to back as well.

My haitian is pink full and wonderful. He's been doing well since day one.
 
Well I'm pretty sure haitians need more light than BTAs, so how far away is your BTA from the light compared to the Haitian?
 
Hmm perhaps someone else needs to chime in. Its stressed somehow, and that could be from tank inhabitants bothering it or water parameters. I really don't think its the lights. What are your ammonia, and nitrate levels? and phosphates if you have a test for that.
 
I will have to check my water again, but at last check, it was fine. 10% water changes weekly. I have a total of about 120g between the 60g DT (50actual?) and 90g sump (70g actual?). no algae build up anywhere, very rare at times, but I do get a Cyano creep which I cut back on food and keep up the water changes.
 
ok, feed daily? and suggestions on food that works best? I fed the sucker last night some shrimp and he took it right in, two decent pieces. I have been feeding about every other day in the past.
 
You might also want to consider switching out your actinic bulbs. Actinics do not really provide much for useable light energy for photosynthesis. So you are essentially only running 2x T5 bulbs over your tank. It has likely made it this long due to your feedings - keep it up. Remember, small food particles.

Has it gained any color at all since you got it? The others are correct, a healthy BTA should never be white, or even a light pale color. It has a very long way to go before it is healthy.
 
It is strange though that the Haitian is doing well, and actinics do provide quite a bit of useable light. This is why I don't think buying more white bulbs will do much. Metzz71, if you're worried about providing more light for it, just move it closer to the top.
 
my bleached out when my ato failed and dumped all the rodi in the tank. I caught it a bit late cause I was at work. Mine is slowly turning back to red. Its a very slow process. I lost most items in my tank.
 
I have an LED reef capable LED that will ad about 30 more watts... i'm going to try to wiggle that in there for a bit to see if that helps.

Suggestions on the best foods?
 
Silversides, but make sure they are fresh. I've heard stories of bad silversides that make your anemones sick. Mysis shrimp always work too.
 
I think you need more light, 2 HO T5's I don't think will be enough, live yea but will probably bleach
 
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