BTA's is it really a bad idea in a reef?

[Tabasco1]

I have always read that it is not good to put an anemone in a reef tank as they go on walkabouts and can do alot of damage to corals. That being said, when I am seeing FTS of members tanks I seem to see BTAs hanging out somewhere. I would like to have one, but had written it off until I am seeing them all in pictures.

 

[Captain Nemo]

It is true that they move around, but only until they are happy, once they get happy they stay put until someone makes them angry then they move again. If you get ne you will have to watch your reef and move pieces out of their path, or blow a powerhead at them....

 

[reefmaster262]

1+ captain nemo

 

[bct15]

It's a pita for the first couple of weeks, moving everywhere knocking stuff over and stinging everything in its path. I named mine katrina for the path of destruction it left in its wake. Then when it finds it's spot move everything away from it and it is all good. When I was running my 30gal, my rbta would extend towards any coral within a 10 inch diameter of it (basically one whole side of the tank)...stinging whatever was there. In my 150 it isn't as much of a problem, I have an acro and some zoas by it and it does not mind. It also stayed attached to the same rock in the same spot when I moved it over.

 

[Tabasco1]

IF I wanted to try to deal with the potential for disaster, would a good plan be to put it in first and let it find its happy place and THEN add coral? I would like to have a pair of b&w clowns and would love something for them to host. Heard they can be hell on frogspawn.

 

[SDguy]

Moving around wasn't the issue for me. Devoting 12"+ of space was.

 

[bct15]

I think you want your tank to be mature before adding a nem, the less in your tank when you add it the better though (less potential for disaster). I have black and white clowns hosting in mine and the contrast of colors really looks good to me.

 

[Tabasco1]

Ahh, ok, strike the nem from the stocking list. I don't think I want to devote that much space in my tank to a nem or add it later after (and if) things are going well. I feel like I would want to sort that out up front.

Thanks!

 

[bct15]

My nem is probably my favorite thing in my tank, and I think you would probably feel it is worth it once the nem has established itself in your tank, especially if you have a pair of clowns hosting in it. Just be sure to match the clowns and nem to ensure they will host.

 

[kron]

+1 bct15...

The nem makes the tank a "reef", it never felt right until i tossed in my RBTA (Sherman). The clowns wandering in and out of it, flowing of tentacles inches from my zoas.. Ya, its worth it for me!!

-1 Until is splits!!!!

 

[shred5]

I have kept lots of anemonies and allot of bta's. They can sit for a long time even years then get up and move one day for no reason. Some times they can also grow very large and they also can multiply at a pretty rapid rate. I have also had them spawn. Bta's really are not bad in a reef and are hardy and easy to keep.

If you keep an anemone make sure you anemone proof your tank because they will eventually get into a power head. It will happen when you are not home or gone for a week or something.

Dave Polzin

 

[MH_Courtney]

I have 2 beautiful rose BTAs in my tank right now and they stay put. My maroon clowns host the one and it is easily 12+" when it is open, the other one is about 9 or 10". They are both pretty close to corals but i haven't had many issues with them. As long as you don't change your lighting and they are happy where they are at they won't move.

 

[perryxcore]

I used to have a fully stocked tank of coral and over the course of a couple depressing weeks lost all but one bubble coral, and used that as a perfect time to put in an anemone. It moved around for three or four weeks and had my tank been stocked definitely would have caused damage, but now is happy where it is and i have since started adding new corals. For me thats the best way to go, but it can be done as previously stated by being watchful and moving corals out of its path, but I am absolutely in love with having a BTA

 

[mdb_talon]

IF I wanted to try to deal with the potential for disaster, would a good plan be to put it in first and let it find its happy place and THEN add coral? I would like to have a pair of b&w clowns and would love something for them to host. Heard they can be hell on frogspawn.

There are other options that can make the clownfish happy. For me it was anthelia. My clownfish actually moved out of the anenome and started using the anthelia when I added it. Allowed me to remove the BTA thankfully which I did not like at all. Not saying anthelia the best option for everyone I know many consider it a weed. I like it a lot, but it is extra work to keep it confined to small area and prevent from taking over tank.