BTA propagation ?

twintrades · Oct 26, 2013

I have a BTA that i got from a friend. Its never inflated.... Would Dividing it Bring the possibility that it might re inflate ?

Also Is there a way to have a prop tank that's not part of a reef ? I have an extra LED setup im not using. I could light with that. What would be a bare bones setup that would allow me to have Nems and not cost a ton? I have access to 20Gall/29gall/30gallon

What would be the best filtration?

Skimmer a Necessity ?

But my regular question first. Would a BTA inflate after being Split ?

RacinRevo0818 · Oct 26, 2013

If it's not inflating cutting it in half will probably kill it. If your talking about the tips expanding like you see in most pictures, don't think you'll see any difference inless the second one finds an area in your tank where it might be happier.

Seems like some peoples bta expand and bubble while others don't.

I would say anything is possible for a nem tank but there just like anything reef related they need excellent water quality so a little cheap setup might not be the best, but I'm sure some people have had great success.

twintrades · Oct 26, 2013

Its a healthy nem. Expands, contracts Sticky tips, Eats ect. I was talking about the tips Bubbling up. Dont mind LR but i just dont want to set up a WHOLE Nother tank... lol. I know they like some Nitrates so im thinking about using some Ceramic media

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

Going by your questions, I don't think you're ready for a bta. Best to return it and do some research until you're ready.

Tahoe61 · Oct 27, 2013

It would be a fool errand to cut a BTA in the hopes you get bubble tip. Learn the basic husbandry first before attempting propagation. It's easy to propagate BTA but an underlying knowlegde of general care is essential. Anemones do not like dirtier water, BTA may tolerate less then ideal water conditions better then other anemones but they do not like it. There is nothing you can do to inspire your BTA to develop bubbles.

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

tatuaje08 said:
Going by your questions, I don't think you're ready for a bta. Best to return it and do some research until you're ready.

lol ive had a BTA for a long time now Goof ball. Done reef tanks for years SPS ect..... Your comment was a personal feeling not helpful at all.

And about "Dirty" water. What i meant is that they like some Nitrates in there water. Most reefs run at 000 for the big 3. Still they do fine great but they do a little better with a small amount of nitrates. Ive read that some others have Taken one like mine. ( healthy) and one clone Bubbled the other didnt. It dosnt matter if mine is bubbling or not. I like it the same. Just thought id like to clone mine. lol

Im not looking to have people tell me that i need to read up on anything about husbandry. Theres a lot of differnt ways to do things. Im hoping someone with experience will chime in.

Tahoe61 · Oct 27, 2013

Ok I have experience, cutting your anemone does not guarauntee that one of the clones will produce bubbles consistently or even ever. And you're looking for advice on husbandry when your post includes questions regarding filtration and lighting, no one is trying make it personal.

All that aside, I have kept BTA in skimmerless tanks without issue, go with the larger tank and do a simple HOB, perhaps mod it to contain higher quality charcoal and or a macro algae. I can not comment to the LED because I have never used one over anemones. You'll probably need some extra flow though.

If you do decide to cut it, use the collender method of suspending the clones in an area of mod to higher flow and make sure your water quality is excellent.

Good Luck

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

10+ years of propagating anemones. I was only going by the words you typed. and no, nems don't like nitrates or phosphates.

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

Tahoe61 said:
Ok I have experience, cutting your anemone does not guarauntee that one of the clones will produce bubbles consistently or even ever. And you're looking for advice on husbandry when your post includes questions regarding filtration and lighting, no one is trying make it personal.

All that aside, I have kept BTA in skimmerless tanks without issue, go with the larger tank and do a simple HOB, perhaps mod it to contain higher quality charcoal and or a macro algae. I can not comment to the LED because I have never used one over anemones. You'll probably need some extra flow though.

If you do decide to cut it, use the collender method of suspending the clones in an area of mod to higher flow and make sure your water quality is excellent.

Good Luck

I keep some of mine under led. Ime the ones under t5 are generally more healthy. They seem to grow faster, heal faster after cutting and the colors don't seem to shift as much.

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

OK My bad on my last post. Im just used to people on forums with 0 experience posting like they know all there is to know. LOL tatuaje08

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

No worries at all. Sorry if it came off personal. Tahoe gave some solid advice that I would agree with. Keep in mind you asked about bare bones. In my nem tanks I run carbon and gfo and I only use closed loop for flow - no powerheads. I skim on the wet side and since they are bta tanks, I have 3 fish in my 60 and 2 fish in my 40. The extra nutrients from other livestock can foul your water and make it hard to provide a good environment for your nems. I also keep my fresh cuts in a hospital tank until they start to heal.

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

Thats more what i was looking for!

I would have Nothing but nems in the tank. It would be a tank dedicated only to them. If i had my arm twisted i might have ONE pair of clowns in there. But since i have a breeding system with 2 open tanks i dont see that happening. Im thinking about a 40 possibly with a portion sealed off from the main tank acting as an overflow and area to have the water spill over media. ( carbon, GFO in a bag ect.) Then have a small return pump push the water back into the main tank Via Pvc pipes

Quick sketch up. IDK weather live rock or Ceramic media skatterd on the bottom with ceramic tiles laying throughout ?

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

Imo, bioballs, ceramic media/tiles and live rock rubble do nothing but trap detritus. The carbon and gfo would most likely be good enough. think about a hob skimmer too.

You'll need more flow than just a return. If you don't want to drill the tank, you could do an 'over the top' closed loop.

Melevsreef.com - Closed Loop

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

LOL i forgot to lable the Koriala Wave PH on the left side.

Would just the power of the Maxijet be enuf with the 2 Outlets ? Or should i have more ?
Ive only done Reef tanks and NONE were drilled ,multiple powerheads ect. Im trying to stay "cheap" If i have to ill get a HOB skimmer but id rather not.

I was worried about the Media on the bottom collecting detritus. So Bare bottom it will be! Ill have a couple chunks of LR in there. ( have some in the basment. )

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

LOL i forgot to lable the Koriala Wave PH on the left side.

Would just the power of the Maxijet be enuf with the 2 Outlets ? Or should i have more ?
Ive only done Reef tanks and NONE were drilled ,multiple powerheads ect. Im trying to stay "cheap" If i have to ill get a HOB skimmer but id rather not.

I was worried about the Media on the bottom collecting detritus. So Bare bottom it will be! Ill have a couple Med/lrg chunks of LR in there.
( have some in the basment. )

cromag27 · Oct 27, 2013

The mj would be good for turnover (depending on its size), but it would not be sufficient for circulation. You will need another source for circulation.

twintrades · Oct 27, 2013

Ok so what would you chose for circulation? Drilled tank with another Pump ? Or a pair of Koralia Wave pumps Med ones. ( The labels wore off so i dont know the GPH)