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View Full Version : Switching tank to all anemone.


matty0206
09/14/2013, 10:00 AM
So after having my current tank up for 1.5 years I have decided I would really like to switch it over to a BTA dominated tank, similar to Marvin's tank but with only the one pair of clowns I already have. I am wondering what if anything I would need to change to have a greater success at this. I currently have 2 BTA's in the tank and they both are very healthy, both are 6-8" accross. I also have many LPS, softies, 2 small maxi mini carpets, and 1 or 2 small sps. My plan is to remove most all of the coral in the tank with exception of the few softies I have and the maxi mini's or should I also remove them also? Would the BTA's be happier if they were the only thing in the tank?
The tank is a 40breeder with a 20 long sump, RLSS R6I skimmer, 1 MP40 and 1MP10 for circulation, and a 6 bulb Tek Elite fixture that I will soon be changing to a 6x39 ATI sunpower. I feel like the tank stays pretty stable and is very well established but want to make sure I am not overlooking something.
Any advice or problems you see? How many BTA's should I try to maintain? Crowding doesn't seem to affect them as the two I have stay right next to each other and almost intertwined.

Thanks.

TL1000RSquid
09/14/2013, 11:47 AM
I've a 40b with a 2 RBTA and 2 GBTA, along with 2 maxi mini's and 3 rock flowers, no conflict between them but haven't ever had 2 different species near one another either. More BTA's shouldn't be a problem, wouldn't go adding any additional new nem species though.

matty0206
09/14/2013, 01:59 PM
Got any pics of your tank TL? Sounds like a cool setup. This will be strictly BTA's beside the 2 maxi mini's and that is mostly because they have been in the same place forever and can't be removed without taking out the entire rock.

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 06:51 PM
Get rid of the MPs

matty0206
09/14/2013, 07:08 PM
Get rid of the MPs

Why if I use the foam covers? My return won't be enough flow for the tank.

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 07:14 PM
They can come off, and Ive seen nems squeeze in between the covers.

ocellaris123
09/14/2013, 07:16 PM
I have a 40 breeder with 6 rose anemones and one gbta. For flow I use 2xmp10 in 90% reefcrest mode in anti sync mode. You will be fine with the MP's, maybe tone the mp40 down, and be sure to use the foam covers. Some of my anemones would be goners if I didn't put them on.

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 07:22 PM
Bad advice. If there is any type of pump in theel tank, disaster is always possible. My bta tanks have no pumps in the dt.

matty0206
09/14/2013, 07:29 PM
Bad advice. If there is any type of pump in theel tank, disaster is always possible. My bta tanks have no pumps in the dt.

How do you get enough flow throughout the tank?

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 07:43 PM
One tank closed loop, the other has a huge amount of flow from an oversized durso and large return pump.

ocellaris123
09/14/2013, 07:51 PM
Bad advice. If there is any type of pump in theel tank, disaster is always possible. My bta tanks have no pumps in the dt.

Bad advice? what makes you say that. All my anemone tanks I have run in the past and currently have had pumps in the Display tank (whether it be BTA, Haddonis, or LTA's) and I am sure many on here do. If you fail to take the proper precautions to cover your pumps when keeping anemones than you are asking for disaster.

xrayjeeper83
09/14/2013, 07:51 PM
How big is the large durso/return tank

ali1
09/14/2013, 07:56 PM
If you want a pump, you can wrap it with gauze or mesh to prevent anemones

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 07:56 PM
Bad advice? what makes you say that. All my anemone tanks I have run in the past and currently have had pumps in the Display tank (whether it be BTA, Haddonis, or LTA's) and I am sure many on here do. If you fail to take the proper precautions to cover your pumps when keeping anemones than you are asking for disaster.

Bad advice because the risk is still there. Yes, I know many people who cover their powerheads and have no issues. When I'm spending up to $500 per anemone, I'm not taking any risks.

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 07:57 PM
How big is the large durso/return tank

40b with a 1.5" durso and 2 .75" returns. One return has an accelerator.

ocellaris123
09/14/2013, 07:59 PM
Bad advice because the risk is still there. Yes, I know many people who cover their powerheads and have no issues. When I'm spending up to $500 per anemone, I'm not taking any risks.

I still fail to see how I am giving bad advice due to the fact I am not following your way of doing things but ok.

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 08:04 PM
My statement does not change.

matty0206
09/14/2013, 08:17 PM
Since re-drilling my tank for larger flow through the sump is not an option I will have to stick with the Mp's and cover them, although I think I will maybe take one out. Doesn't tons of flow through the sump affect contact time in your skimmer?

tatuaje08
09/14/2013, 08:21 PM
I never believed flow rate can effect a skimmer. As long as the water level is stable, it still skims the same amount of water.