RBTA lost its bubbles....what to do?

[95accord]

i know this is a commun question but im seriously stumped.
I currently have a 45 gal Osaka Cube mixed reef. I have a mated pair of B&W ORA clowns which just recently started to hang out in my anemone (however this only started 3 days ago, the nem has been like this since week 2). All params are in check, 250w MH W/72w actinic. I obtained the RBTA from a fellow reefer who's mother colonie recently split. I know of 2 other clones which have all retained their bubbles under similar params. Mine, the color is really intense and has even had the base of the tentacles turn a slight green. Their nems look like mine did at week 1.

sg 1.025
NO3 - 0
NO4 - 0
PO4 - 0
ALK - 11
CA 430
Temp 80
PH 8.1

i've fed it a few times since i received it but doesnt seem to eat all the food. only a portion (probably only what it wants)
I run a 15gal sump with Tunze 9002 skimmer, MJ1200, Tunze 6045 power head. i dose VSV and kent 2 part with bi weekly water changes.
Over all everything else in the tank seem great (besides loosing the occasional SPS frag)

week 1 (before)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d728b3127ccef84668f068fe00000040O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d728b3127ccef846a537a9f700000040O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d728b3127ccef8464726a99700000040O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/





week 5 (sept 22 now)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d703b3127ccef87837ac94d900000030O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d700b3127ccef87e0fbc7ca000000040O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d700b3127ccef87e96a9bd5100000040O00AYsm7Jk4ZuWIPbz4C/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/




pics arent the greatest but you get the idea

any suggestions would be super.


any recomendations on how to return it to its bubbly glory? Have a done something that i dont know? i thought ive done everything right...........

[bues0022]

The BTA is looking lots better from the looks of your pictures. When you first had it, the nem definitely looked very bleached. Coloring up is a very good sign. I wouldn't worry about the bubbles. BTA's do that a lot. My bta's almost never have the bubbles on them.

[MM WI]

Someone posted in hear that high protien diet helps them keep their bubbles, I have seen some evidience of this also. I do think the bubbles are a sign of health and diet. A full compliment of trace minerals in the water could also help. Could be more complicated than just diet though.

- Mark

[patriots81]

most BTAs do not bubble up. mine doesnt.

[bandr1002]

mine has easily trippled in size since i got it six months ago. it has never moved nor has it had any bubbles since the day i first got it. all of the research i have done on this matter claims that it is not a health issue. so i am not that worried about it.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn166/bandr1002/100_1478.jpg

[JLopez]

most bubble nem's get like that. dont worry about it.

[ddcotter]

The BTA is looking lots better from the looks of your pictures. When you first had it, the nem definitely looked very bleached. Coloring up is a very good sign. I wouldn't worry about the bubbles. BTA's do that a lot. My bta's almost never have the bubbles on them.

I agree, it looks a lot healthier!

[Jeff]

I have had one for over 8 years and it's over a foot across. It had bubbles the first month and never after.