Rbta

[xxxbadfishxxx]

so when a RBTA Dies will it wipe out the whole tank? How long do they live? and when they die, how long do you have to take them out?

 

[TOURKID]

they can live over 100 yrs in the wild, hard to tell in a tank, a few people are over 5 yrs now.

if it dies and you leave it there to rot away, yes. if it gets caught in a powerhead really baddly.. yes.

If it is dieing it'll start falling apart from the foot up. you need to remove it if thats happening.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

so, its usually not an overnight death, there are some signs to look for. How do you know when it is dead? if it goes unnoticed for a day or two, is this a significant amount of time for a tank crash?

 

[redvipe2010]

It can happen over night. Every situation is different. Does it look like it's decaying or melting? Yes, a day or two is a significant time for a tank crash! A pic would be helpful.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

i dont even have one yet, i really want one, but am skeptical to keeping one because all things eventually die.

 

[redvipe2010]

Congrats on being one of the few that ask questions before they purchase! Do you check your water parameters regular, and have they been staying in check? Can you list your other livestock so we can see if they are compatible? Also some more details of your set up would help. How long has the tank been set up that you will put the anemone in?

Anemones can be a very nice addition to a tank under the right conditions.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Yeah, i should have been smart enough to provide all that. Tank is a 50 gallon mixed reef. 80-100lbs Liverock. Tank has been up for 2 years, however it was moved 2 months ago, during the move i changed 80% of the sandbed. I never got one because i didnt have sufficient lighting, i just upgraded to a teklight 4X24watt T5 HO

Swimmers
2 O. Clowns
1 Yellow Watchman Goby (should i be worried about him getting eaten?)
1 Firefish
1 Pseduechromis
1 Diamond back Goby

Inverts
fireshrimp
standard clean up crew of snails and hermits

Corals
Galexia
Tourch
Branching Hammer
Multiple Zoos
Yellow Polyps
Pom Pom Xenia
GSP
multiple Shrooms & Rics.

I also worry about the RBTA wondering and killing other corals. Why cant everyone just get along?

 

[redvipe2010]

Well your BTA can certainly wander and kill off some corals, or have some problems with your LPS corals. I've never had a problem with either, but many have.

I'm not real familiar with T-5 lighting yet, but thinking about going that route on one of my tanks. Hopefully someone else with experience can chime in on your lighting. But I'm guessing if your LPS is doing well with it a BTA would be fine.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

yeah, it sounds funny upgrading my 130watt PC to 96 watt T5's, but with T5's you cant think of it as WPG's. With individual reflectors, T5's are comparable to Metal Halides. I also plan on getting a clam, most likely a squamosa, and everone says i should have no problem keeping him in the sandbed. I chose T5's for the long bulb life, and electric efficient.

 

[redvipe2010]

Thats exactly why I'm looking into it. Can't beat it IMO. How long have you had your new T-5?

 

[Slakker]

T5 isn't exactly comparable to MH, but it's really close, and they run a lot cooler and from what i've seen tend to be cheaper. The individual reflectors make a HUGE difference and can be added on to a fixture for something like $10 a bulb.

A good T5 fixture is for sure on my shopping list for my 90.

 

[redvipe2010]

T-5 will be fine for what I'm going to use it for.

 

[Slakker]

Oh, I never said it wasn't good enough! Quite the contrary, i think they're a better idea and more economical than Metal Halide fixtures. But, so many people have had such great success with MH that there are probably bound to be applications in which they are better suited than T5s.

 

[redvipe2010]

Slakker, I wasn't disagreeing with you.