RBTA question

[sus]

Here is my idea. I have a 40 breeder plumbed through the wall to a ~17 gallon tank. This tank then overflows to a 50 breeder which is then pumped back to the display. The tank is mostly SPS, and I don't want to risk a nem moving around and stinging/killing my corals.

I have read a bunch about minimum tank sizes for RBTA's, but am wondering if I could put one in the 17 gallon tank. I know people typically say its too small, but is that based on water quality issues or lack of space? it seems to me it wouldn't need tons of space and that the recommendations are more water quality related.

I don't know what I would do for light yet, but all that would be in there would be the nem, some rock, and possibly my black ocellaris pair.
Also, I run a mag 12 return, would this be enough flow through the tank for the nem, or would I want to add a powerhead?

Thanks-

 

[noboddi]

The BTA can grow up to a foot in diameter, so in a 17 lack of space could be an issue

MY BTAs like wavelike, pulsing flow not steady flow, but BTAs can be very individual in their flow likes

 

[CaliReefer12]

It is a combination of lack of space and water quality but if you dont have too much else in the tank except maybe a couple clowns and LR it will probably be fine. Im guessing water quality is pretty stable with that plumbing setup between tanks.. the water stability is basically like what it would be in a 107gal tank.

 

[sus]

i see. well how long does it take one to grow to that size?
btw, the tank is roughly 22"x12"x12"

 

[Toddrtrex]

Heck, the last one I had was about 15" across when I sold it. Normally it would be the physical size of the tank, and the water quality issues with a smaller tank. In this case (( if I read your post correctly )) you have the water quality issue solved, but not the physical size.

So, I personally wouldn't do it.

 

[sus]

actually, i just measured the tank. its 26"x13"x13".
still not big enough i guess.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Like I said, I wouldn't do it, but you could try it. But, with the knowledge that it could very well outgrow the tank. Would you be prepared to remove it and make sure it goes to a proper home? (( with the understanding that they sometimes won't let go of the rock, so that might have to be sold too. ))

 

[sus]

ok, but how long would it take to outgrow the tank. say starting at a baseball size.
also, getting rid of rock is not an issue. i've got too much as is

 

[Toddrtrex]

That is the $64,000 question.

Depends on the anemone itself (( some seem to split more often then others, others seem to split but stay big )).

How often you feed it (( I personally think that some feed too often, I feed every 3-4 weeks )).

What lights you have.

If I had to give an answer, I would guess 1-2 years -- but that is purely a guess.

 

[perenes]

i had a rbta and it was huge and it never split!

 

[gawf4fun]

Hey Sus,

Perhaps my experience can be of value in your considerations.

I have a 20 gallon pentagon anenome/clown tank which has about 30# live rock, a few softies, a green hammer coral, a few zoo colonies and what started as a single RBTA. I'd had the tank running for about a year as a softie tank under 2 x 65 watt PC. On a rare, unresearched, pack of bubble gum at the checkstand kind of purchase, a bought a small 3" RBTA. It continued to grow fairly steadily for about 4 months until it reached about 8-9 inches across, despite my shrimp or formula one feedings only every 3rd week.

In addition to the RBTA and corals I had a real feisty gold stripe maroon clown and an algae blenny. I'd tried other fish and the clown just took them out. I decided to upgrade my flow from a koralia 1 to a tunze powerhead and within 2 weeks the RBTA had split. Now, 7 months on, the two are each about 8-9 inches and seem to thrive on the increased flow. I still direct feed them only every 3rd week, but they are getting more food now as I've enhanced my fish feeding since I've paired my GSM and they are laying eggs every 12th day.

Here's a pic shortly after pairing the maroons:

They seem quite happy now, the anenomes, the clowns, etc.

So, here's my $ 0.02. In my humble opinion, a lot of folks tend to dissuade "fringe" choices in this hobby. Things that don't meet the standards of widespread approval, are generally frowned upon. But the reality is that our hobby continues to thrive because of new ideas, pushing the envelope and "giving it a shot". There are many ways to skin a cat, and I'd encourage you to go grab yourself a knife. Good luck.

Mark

 

[sus]

mark,
thanks for sharing your experience, and for your .02$.
I agree with you that too many times people's ideas are frowned upon for not being right in line with the "normal" way of doing things.

my ultimate goal would be to move my black clowns from the other tank, have them host in the nem, and breed. I want to try and raise some babies

 

[noboddi]

Per Delbeeck and Sprung, deep water BTAs reproduce sexually, and shallow water BTAs seem to reproduce asexually through fission. The question is where was it collected,or is it a clone as many are these days.

 

[sus]

it would be a clone...

 

[small alien]

I think the key is these are living creatures that deserve a full and healthy life. If you can give them that while they're in your care and then provide them with a new and adequate home once you can no longer care for them, that is entirely ethical. If, once it got too big, you just flushed it, that would be bad. I'd say give it a try!

 

[sus]

well, i think i'll give it a shot. I'm hoping that a local reefer's nem will split soon so I can buy one.

If for some odd reason I can't get rid of it when it gets too big, or i've grown too attached to it, I could always move it to my 50 breeder sump...

 

[sus]

anyone else have any input/experience with a situation like this?

thanks

 

[synofreak]

My tanks are much larger, but I say go for it. Its not too small, and the "system" is fairly large. The only problem you "may" encounter, is moving the clones(and thats just getting them out). My RBTA has never split, and only moved 1x(powerhead failure). My BTA has split into 6, over 1.5 years, and still have 2(+ 1 baby) in the tank. Established hosting BTA's usually never move. All mine love HIGH flow. Keep the corals at a minimum, and you will have a nice tank. My 120g (self contained/HOB fuge and skimmer) has 2 BTA, +1 baby, and an RBTA with a mated pair of GSM. Adult Nems all hit 8-12"(3 of them), and the clowns spawn regularly. Zoas/palys/LPS/shrooms and an SPS to boot. Just do it. Husbandry is your best friend =).