Nem question

tmac18 · May 12, 2016

Everywhere i read a bta needs an established tank of 6 months to a year. Is this really the case? If i do weekly water changes and know how to maintain water quality and have good flow and enough lights, isnt that enough?? Thanks for reading.

cpschult · May 12, 2016

The main issue I've found is the volume of waste they can excrete and the stability they need. All tanks go through stages when you start. If you use seeded liverock/bacteria you can speed up the cycles but they still occur.

saltyphish · May 12, 2016

I would not put one in a brand newly cycled tank. But if your certain you can keep parameters in control then go for it. BTAs seem to be the easiest to keep. Just pay attention to them. If you find they are moving all the time, not opening or deflating a lot then you have a problem. People say the 6 mths rule because that is how long it takes for the tank to become stable typically.

reefwiser · May 12, 2016

All NEM's require special care and if this is your very first saltwater aquarium it will be quite a challenge to take care of one. Most people that successfully keep Nem's need to be able to medicate them when they get infections which they do get.

rayn · May 12, 2016

An established a s stable tank is the best. Saying you can't put one in earlier isn't true, just harder. Harder on you and harder on the nem.

tmac18 · May 12, 2016

Thanks guys!!! Great to get a few different points of view. I have 2 bubble tips now. But in older thanks. I was just thinking of starting a nem and clown only tank.

Tahoe61 · May 12, 2016

A completely cycled tank, challenged by the addition of fish is able to house BTA/Entacmaea quadricolor. You do not sound like a new hobbyist so that works in your favor. Personally I think the 6 month rule is a bit misleading and not a deal breaker. Maintain routine maintenance and testing with water changes and you should be fine.

tmac18 · May 12, 2016

Thanks, im sorta new. About a year. I do 10% water changes once a week and top off evernight. Infront of the tank all the time.

Trex · May 13, 2016

For a newbie, I would say 6 months is good. For a couple of reasons -- it could take that long for you to fully understand your tank. By then you should be able to recognize issues, before they become problems. You should be settled into the schedule of maintaining your tank, so the parameter swings will be less. Lastly, and more importantly -- should have an idea if you actually want to stay in this hobby.

I have been keeping anemones for about 20 years now, and if I was to set up a brand new tank (( new rock/sand )) tomorrow, I personally would wait 3-4 months before putting in an anemone --- to make sure all things are settled.
Now, if I was using existing rock, I would be will to get an anemone within a month or so.

In the end, it comes down to experience and how the tank is being set up.

tmac18 · May 13, 2016

Thanks trex. Great post and im glad i gotvto the bottom of this question. You guys are great!

Oceansize · May 13, 2016

The water isn't the only factor. Light is the other. You increase your odds of success greatly by following proper light acclimation techniques.

Dalmatia · May 14, 2016

I put my bta in my nano after 2 months and grew a little to fast... only bad part was it stung most of my sps when it decided to move around

tmac18 · May 25, 2016

Dalmatia, can u post a pic of ur nano. I just built a nano for my son. Just would like to see it. Thanks!

Dalmatia · May 25, 2016

Sure

tmac18 · May 25, 2016

Oh man, so nice! Is that the nem in the top right?

tmac18 · May 25, 2016

Oh, and how man gallons? I built a standard ten gallon. Urs looks like a 29 maybe?? I wanta put a rbta in the ten. When it gets to big ill put it in my 65.