RBTA tentacle size compared to disk size

[orcafood]

How long/wide should the tentacles on a 3 inch RBTA be?

I am asking because my RBTA use to have good 2 in tentacles with a 1.5 in disk. Now it has much shorter, but still bubbly and red.

Could this be happening because of some trace element. Do anemones need any special trace elements. I ask this because normally I do a water change 1 time every 2-3 months, because of a 20 gallon algae filter and an ASM G3 Skimmer taking out every bit of nitrate, nitrate and ammonia in the tank.

 

[cbowman]

you need to do at leaset a 5 gallon water change every 2 -3 weeks imo or putting additives in your tank. Just because it does replace any elements consumed by your tank that are important to it.

 

[orcafood]

So, if the disk is around three inches, how long should the tentacles of the anemone be.

 

[tgfrench]

This a difficult question to answer. If the bubble tips are intact then i'd say around 1 1/2 " + in length. If the bubble tips are not intact then 2-3 " + in length.

More frequent w/c would be beneficial also. BTA's are almost as sensitive as SPS in water quality.

You didn't mention your feeding schedule.
I direct feed atleast every couple weeks, plus it gets excess food stuff from my LPS feedings a couple times a week.

 

[orcafood]

I feed a small piece of silver side or krill about 4 times a week. The tentacles on my anemone are only about half an inch but they do have bubbles and are red?

 

[tgfrench]

Sounds like a water quality problem if its feeding.

 

[orcafood]

According to my API test kits

nitrate = 0;
nitrites = 0;
ammonia = 0;
PH = ? I have no test for it yet
Alk = 10;
Ca = 450;
magnesium = 1350;

Hydrometer (calibrated with marine pinpoint calibration fluid)
- 35 ppt

Temp
- 78-80 F

Could my ph be causing this problem, and how accurate are API test kits?

 

[orcafood]

Anyone?