Need Help: BTA hiding from Maroon Clown

[IluvGod'sreefs]

I recently upgraded the lights on my tank to LED's. The next day, I put a new BTA in for my Maroon Clown. The BTA responded wonderfully to the lights almost immediately--within an hour, it's tentacles began to bubble out. I was ecstatic, I'd never witnessed that in my tank before. Almost at the same time, my clown noticed the BTA, and paired up with it. My wife and I were thinking that it could not get any better. Then, in the last couple of days, we have observed that the BTA has been moving (which I know is not terribly unusual), and as of today is down in between two rocks leaving it barely exposed. The BTA is not real small, when expanded, the clown can hide in it pretty well. So, do I need to be concerned? Is there anything I can do to help the situation? Please help!

 

[xtlosx]

I wouldn't be too concerned as long as the Maroon isn't loving the nem to death.. which they have been known to do. I picked up a GBTA a bit ago, and it moved itself to the back of my rockwork for almost 3 weeks, and now has moved front and center where I would have wanted it.

What lights was the BTA under before your tank? Keep in mind, it needs to be light acclimated as well, but if a healthy specimen should recover and come back beautiful under your LEDs.

How big is your tank, how many LEDs, how far from the water line, etc?

Good luck!

 

[bues0022]

I wouldn't necessarily say the BTA is hiding from your maroon clown, but that the BTA is responding to a change in environment and attempting to find its "happy spot". Make sure your water quality is good, and you also need to acclimate to your lights (many ignore this, but it is important). It should be fine in the long run if you acquired a healthy specimen and keep a healthy tank.

 

[IluvGod'sreefs]

I wouldn't be too concerned as long as the Maroon isn't loving the nem to death.. which they have been known to do. I picked up a GBTA a bit ago, and it moved itself to the back of my rockwork for almost 3 weeks, and now has moved front and center where I would have wanted it.

What lights was the BTA under before your tank? Keep in mind, it needs to be light acclimated as well, but if a healthy specimen should recover and come back beautiful under your LEDs.

How big is your tank, how many LEDs, how far from the water line, etc?

Good luck!

My tank is a 55. The lights are Marineland Reef Capable--46 10K white, and 8 460nm blue. The BTA came from a lfs dealer I know, which had just flourescent lighting over it (I don't what kind). The BTA is 12-15 inches down in my tank.
Thanks for your help!

 

[xtlosx]

My tank is a 55. The lights are Marineland Reef Capable--46 10K white, and 8 460nm blue. The BTA came from a lfs dealer I know, which had just flourescent lighting over it (I don't what kind). The BTA is 12-15 inches down in my tank.
Thanks for your help!

Those lights aren't going to cut it for a nem, especially not at those depths.... That's the first thing you'll want to get working on.. Marineland has tried, but their LEDs just don't cut it, not from what I have seen\heard anyways.

 

[IluvGod'sreefs]

Those lights aren't going to cut it for a nem, especially not at those depths.... That's the first thing you'll want to get working on.. Marineland has tried, but their LEDs just don't cut it, not from what I have seen\heard anyways.

I have had 3 BTA's over my years in the hobby. I had never seen one actually "bubble" before. This one that we are talking about has been doing just that. The day I placed it in my tank, it started to react (expand) to the lights almost immediately. I hope you are mistaken about my lights, because I got them on the strength of advice that I got on here--that the Marineland fixture would work "very well" on a 55. If you like, I can post some pics of my tank with these lights, as well as of the nem.

 

[bues0022]

While I don't know how well that particular light fixture will work with your anemone, I wouldn't suggest equating a BTA "bubbling" to it liking the lights. The truth is no one has been able to establish a positive correlation to bubbling or not.

 

[IluvGod'sreefs]

While I don't know how well that particular light fixture will work with your anemone, I wouldn't suggest equating a BTA "bubbling" to it liking the lights. The truth is no one has been able to establish a positive correlation to bubbling or not.

OK, I see what you are saying. What I mean about that, is that I have never had anymore than PC's or VHO's on my tank, and a nem never looked as good as this one does--not even close. I got interested in the Marineland LED's mainly because I could afford them, and also because I was told that I could keep a nem and/or a clam under them.

 

[xtlosx]

OK, I see what you are saying. What I mean about that, is that I have never had anymore than PC's or VHO's on my tank, and a nem never looked as good as this one does--not even close. I got interested in the Marineland LED's mainly because I could afford them, and also because I was told that I could keep a nem and/or a clam under them.

I'll let some other experts come and chim in with some more details on these fixtures. From what I understand, those Marineland fixtures are getting better from what they started out with, but they certainly aren't going to keep a clam (depending on what kind I guess), or a nem completely happy for the rest of its life. Look at the par ratings for this things, and they're good for softies and some LPS. Take my word for what its worth, someone else will come through with more information I'm sure.

I have a RBTA & GBTA, and the GBTA bubbles daily, and the RBTA hasn't bubbled since I got it, except for on rare occasions. It is otherwise healthy and I agree that bubbles don't correlate to health whatsoever.

Good luck to you Sir!

 

[IluvGod'sreefs]

Thank you guys, I really do appreciate your time and advice!

 

[SkullV]

The Marineland LEDs should be fine for a BTA but they will probably take up residence in the top 1/2 of your tank. I wouldn't try and keep any of the more "light demanding" anemones under that light though.

That fixture has AT LEAST as much light as the crappy T5 fixture I kept my first BTA under with no issues at all.

 

[deangelr]

+1 ^^ Ive kept BTAs under lights much less bright then that marineland LED