Anemone Colony Removal

[duesmortem]

Hey everyone!!!

I am sure alot of people have had this issue before so I thought I would reach out for some advice. My display tank has become overrun by BTAs to the point where I do not even target feed them anymore due to fear of them further multiplying and taking over more space in the tank. I have seen the infamous "anemone cannon" trap that is recommended for BTA removal but I would prefer removing most, if not all, of the colony at once. I do have a single female clownfish who has greatly benefitted from this BTA takeover in the tank and I think she will be upset by the sudden change. I would either sell the rocks with the anemone colonies as-is or I would just donate the colony to my LFS.

My plan was to add live rock to my sump and let it adjust to the water chemistry of the system for a few weeks (no light in the sump). Then I would do a good ol' switcharoo and remove the two large pieces of rock from the display tank with the BTA colony and place the "new" live rock into the display tank to fill that space. Thoughts? Opinions? Is this idea sound or am I going to crash my tank by trying to do all of this at once?

 

[KrisReef]

Depends on the condition and any attached life on the live rock. If it comes in covered in macroalgae or similar life, you might want to let it "cook" in a barrel for a month in the dark (so the macro life dies off in the barrel) before adding the rock into the sump.

Otherwise, it seems like a safe enough plan. I do feel heart broken for the clownfish, but I am familiar with this dilemma and the fish should recover.

 

[duesmortem]

Depends on the condition and any attached life on the live rock. If it comes in covered in macroalgae or similar life, you might want to let it "cook" in a barrel for a month in the dark (so the macro life dies off in the barrel) before adding the rock into the sump.

Otherwise, it seems like a safe enough plan. I do feel heart broken for the clownfish, but I am familiar with this dilemma and the fish should recover.

I appreciate the input! I will talk with my LFS about the best live rock when I see them in person.

 

[GT02]

Hey everyone!!!

I am sure alot of people have had this issue before so I thought I would reach out for some advice. My display tank has become overrun by BTAs to the point where I do not even target feed them anymore due to fear of them further multiplying and taking over more space in the tank. I have seen the infamous "anemone cannon" trap that is recommended for BTA removal but I would prefer removing most, if not all, of the colony at once. I do have a single female clownfish who has greatly benefitted from this BTA takeover in the tank and I think she will be upset by the sudden change. I would either sell the rocks with the anemone colonies as-is or I would just donate the colony to my LFS.

My plan was to add live rock to my sump and let it adjust to the water chemistry of the system for a few weeks (no light in the sump). Then I would do a good ol' switcharoo and remove the two large pieces of rock from the display tank with the BTA colony and place the "new" live rock into the display tank to fill that space. Thoughts? Opinions? Is this idea sound or am I going to crash my tank by trying to do all of this at once?

Are you willing to sell one of them I’m looking to get one for my pair and don’t have the money to buy one from a big name company

 

[D-Nak]

I'm you've considered this already, but I'm willing to bet that your LFS will gladly give you credit for the rock with the BTAs and you can use that to buy more rock. Since you already have live rock in your system, if you don't mind the look of fake live rock aka "man-made rock" like Real Reef, CaribSea Life rock or Marco Rocks, those can go directly into the DT. The existing live rock on your tank with colonize the new rock with beneficial bacteria.

 

[duesmortem]

I'm you've considered this already, but I'm willing to bet that your LFS will gladly give you credit for the rock with the BTAs and you can use that to buy more rock. Since you already have live rock in your system, if you don't mind the look of fake live rock aka "man-made rock" like Real Reef, CaribSea Life rock or Marco Rocks, those can go directly into the DT. The existing live rock on your tank with colonize the new rock with beneficial bacteria.

Trueeee, that is a good point. I was there yesterday and they are selling BTAs for $60 a piece. The down side is that they no longer have live rock :'( they only have dry rock now