BTA do/dont

Hempknight · Mar 31, 2017

hello I'm semi new to the reef and I'm wondering about BTA I have 2 clown fish in my 40g breeder they are the only thing in their beside some clean up crew and 1 dunken coral when I went to my LFS the price on a BTA was 88 dollars is that normal price. And Anything special u have to do with them

AcroNem · Mar 31, 2017

For retail that's pretty normal, but i'll guarantee you that you'll find one for cheaper locally on a forum or local listings. You need a stable and healthy system with a good light, I'd also recommend feeding anemones around once a week to keep them at their best.

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 31, 2017

If it's a green BTA, that seems a little high. They typically run $40-60 around here, depending on size and color.

Zack K · Mar 31, 2017

How long has your tank been running. A well established tank is not necessarily a needed factor (nem's have been successful kept in tank less than 1 yr old) but it is a good thing to have on your side. The only reason why they say "established tank" is because for a anemone your water parameters need to be stable. They don't like change. Some nems like higher light some like medium light. It will find where it likes. I do agree with @AcroNem about feeding them once a week or so. Another thing to add is they like flow. Not too much to blow them out of their own flesh but enough to have them wave in the current. With that being said please. COVER ALL POWERHEADS WITH A SPONGE FILTER! I cannot stress that enough. People don't do that and then they wake up one morning to a cloudy tank without an anemone.

AcroNem · Mar 31, 2017

^I agree with the above as well. Thanks for going a little more in depth I didn't have a lot of typing time.

Hempknight · Apr 1, 2017

Zack Klabunde said:
How long has your tank been running. A well established tank is not necessarily a needed factor (nem's have been successful kept in tank less than 1 yr old) but it is a good thing to have on your side. The only reason why they say "established tank" is because for a anemone your water parameters need to be stable. They don't like change. Some nems like higher light some like medium light. It will find where it likes. I do agree with @AcroNem about feeding them once a week or so. Another thing to add is they like flow. Not too much to blow them out of their own flesh but enough to have them wave in the current. With that being said please. COVER ALL POWERHEADS WITH A SPONGE FILTER! I cannot stress that enough. People don't do that and then they wake up one morning to a cloudy tank without an anemone.

I have had my tank for about 2 mouths now just went from diatomes to clear again everything looking stable I only have 1 dunken coral in there that is all with my emerald/hermit crabs mess with them at all?

Zack K · Apr 1, 2017

Hempknight said:
I have had my tank for about 2 mouths now just went from diatomes to clear again everything looking stable I only have 1 dunken coral in there that is all with my emerald/hermit crabs mess with them at all?

What are your lights and flow? If you think you can keep those parameters stable and not let them swing I think you should be okay pending your lights and flow.

MamaLovesHerReefTank · Apr 1, 2017

Hempknight said:
I have had my tank for about 2 mouths now just went from diatomes to clear again everything looking stable I only have 1 dunken coral in there that is all with my emerald/hermit crabs mess with them at all?

You should honestly wait for about 6 months or more for your tank to become more stable. The first few months with a tank can have a lot of ups and downs. Let your tank mature a little more and in 6 months if all is good, go ahead. I wouldn't pay that much for one though. I'm in Canada where we pay much more for everything and I got 2 for $80.

dylana407 · Apr 1, 2017

What Lori said. But not necessarily 6 months IMO. In the next 2 months, test your water every 3 days or so. Also test your water before and after water change. If you can keep the water params stable, you are good to go. Try to buy livestock from local reefers. They are usually cheaper and healthier. REMEMBER...Nems can be very sensitive to change. If you have a small system, make sure you top off the water daily. I top off my water everyday after work. When you introduced the nem, reduce flow and away from where you want him to settle. Also reduce light intensity. Give him 48 hours. Hopefully he will stays where you want him.

My BTA the morning after, there are 2