Do you guys regret owning a BTA?

[nova65ss]

Yes very much regret

 

[Jon Fishman]

I absolutely regretted it..... the worry about the powerheads, despite covering etc. buying nem-protects, etc. was CONSTANT. Always moving too close to corals etc..... it got sucked into a powerhead despite it being covered, and ripped it practically in half..... it healed fully after a few weeks.

Decided to not move it to the new tank when I finally get it, so I could not restrict flow, going SPS heavy, etc.... then I picked up a Red Sea Reefer that I turned into a dedicated Nem tank, and use only the pump flow (I would like to upgrade pumps though) and I'm in love with my Nem (now two, split shortly before the move) since I can keep a simple few shrimp, pair of clowns, and will add a bunch of other stuff I wouldn't get before (carpets etc)

 

[n4s]

I have an island dedicated to my RBTA so they don’t wander and sting any of my corals. They own the whole left side of my tank.

 

[JustAnt]

I have mixed feelings... on the one hand I love the interaction between my clowns and theRBTA. But then it split and now I have 2 RBTA. The 2nd stings the out of my corals. I’ve tried everything to get rid of the 2nd RBTA W/O killing it with no success. Once they bury their foot in the rock it’s my experience that you can’t get them out. Even hard to get them to move when they find a spot they like.

 

[JasPR]

you will love them too if you dedicate a tank to them- Mine are in a 120 gallon with rock flower anemones-- the fish are a trio of percula ( a mated pair and their drone) and 8 springeri damsels. Nice display lite by 2 kessil panels

 

[SkiCatTX]

I'm loving mine, especially how it looks so different under different lights. Had it for a couple months now.

Under blues:

White lighting with its n.aked clown:

 

[TronChief]

I absolutely love my RBTA but........it’s moved a few times and I’ve had to manipulate it away from my Elegance which is my favorite coral. I don’t feed it and in the 2+ years I’ve had it there has been no splitting. It’s huge! Currently it’s aggravating my toadstool. Again I’m mixed for those reasons but watching it sway while my clowns swim in and out of it is amazing.

 

[Eve]

I had one in 45 gallon tank with loads of other corals in it it would go for a wander and walk all over other corals, then split and walk back to where it was. So this time I went with a dedicated evo 13 with the standard plumbing and pump so no extra powerheads in the tank to chop it up. I have had to mod the overflow with some finer mesh so it doesn't get sucked in (again). Also I've had to drill some safety high level water holes in case the new walked over the overflow, blocking it off the tank level would rise and flood and pump the rear chamber empty (not again).

Would I have one in my main tank again, probably not. I just wish the clowns would get in there been 8 months now grrr

I love your tank and that BTA. Amazing

 

[Eve]

I love my anemone! It was one of my first additions went in with the clean up crew right after the cycle. He’s spit 5 times since 2013. Moved into a larger aquarium about 3 years ago. Went through a tunze 6105 powerhead and still doing well. Mine doesn’t wander stays put and when it split a piece always stays where it was. I always grab the other half right away when it’s on the move.

Gorgeous

 

[Phil D.]

I had a green BTA in my 28g JBJ for 5 years and he never moved, he got to be 6" in diameter and never split. My Clowns were super happy. Then, set up new Red Sea E-260 and waited the 6 months before trying to move him, DISASTER! Accidently tore his foot and couldn't get him out of the rock. He died shortly thereafter, luckily I had most of the livestock moved already so no issues with the crash.
I bought my daughter a "rose" BTA for Christmas, (turns out it's actually a Rainbow!!), and it split into 3 in her 10g Waterbox. She gave me one for my tank and is now jealous at how gorgeous it is! She can't wait for her birthday present, (Red Sea Max Nano!!), so her BTAs will blossom, (the Waterbox has a Kessil Tuna Blue A80 which doesn't grow stuff very well).
Attached a pic of mine.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Anemone covers are a must for peace of mind. If you have Vortechs you can buy 3D printed ones, if not DIY is easy too. Once they settle the risk of wandering is almost non-existent. At the start very high.

 

[Peach02]

Currently have a somewhat empty 125 gallon tank. Probs a total like 7 small sized corals.

My local lfs has a few rainbow BTA but im worried if its worth the effort to deal with it splitting too much and moving too much

personally I got mine with the hope of it hosting my clownfish, the clownfish have shown little to no interest, its annoyed my clam and a sps frag, ticked off my coral beauty wandered around into stupid spots (worst was onto the clam)

but

it looks kinda cool and ads some more personality to the tank

all in all if I was to start another tank I wouldn't get another anemone unless I could guarantee clownfish hosting it however I'm not going to get rid of mine ether

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I’ve had my black widow and Rainbow BTA for about four months and love their movement and color! BUT... I do worry a lot about them leaving their island and getting in the power head. The BW is about 12in across and I’m hoping it splits soon.

 

[Mical]

No regrets - mine are coming up on 10yrs old with a pair of clowns (same age). Started as 1 now 5

 

[Dan Watson]

Thought I could shed some light with my RBTA’s as a good and odd example. Acquired these (i think it split its first night in my tank) about 2-3 weeks ago. Tank is a mere 3 months old, 75g display, 55g sump with chaeto and entry level skimmer. now, curiously, one has stayed put since i placed them, but the other has b-lined it away from my radion xr30w (reef setting mere 60% intensity) My other lights are trash. Literally got them from a dumpster... but one nem seems to favor these things. I plan on buying another radion as soon as funds allo but for now it seems happy under these and im terrified to upgrade knowing this thing is crazy. the one on the right is the stable. On the left you have some type of serial killer anemone thats just walking all over things and killing my startup corals (no biggy, green palys, GSP, some xenia). It hasnt stopped moving. today i came in it has moved another 6” into a new spot i hope it decides to call home. (day 1 and day 17 photos)
today:

day 1:

 

[shred5]

I have owned hundreds of btas over the years.

Some split some do not. Some split when fed more others do not.

I have gone 5 years with a bta not splitting while some will split 8 times in 6 months.

Never had much issue with stinging with BTA's. Their sting is far less than a carpet anemone.

My favorite that I owned.

 

[Leadfooted]

I’ve lost many coral due to splits at first , now just growth. I’ve conceded and just let it own the display. As much as I’d love the space back and more corals, it’s just about irreplaceable because of its motion, beauty and the clown relationship. I’ll just have to get another tank if I want more coral lol.


You don’t by chance know how to shrink them do you lol

 

[Admann]

About a year ago I bought a pretty RBTA hoping it would grow big and make a nice clown house. Today I have no clown but I do have 4 RBTAs. I only wanted 1. Now I have to shut everything down soon due to circumstances of life. They are pretty and I love them, but if I decide to have another anemone suitable for clowns in a future tank a few years from now, I hope, it will be something not nearly as prolific at self propogation or mobility. So yeah mixed feelings but mostly good.

 

[MPS]

Like others, I love having mine. It was in the DT for a couple weeks before it split into 3. I had placed them on a rock island but they decided to get too close to my Aussie Gold Torch and I wasn’t going to risk the torch. I moved the rock for higher light and higher flow. They seem very happy now. The neighboring Zoa colony, not so much. Their latest antics have been to “tickle” a Monti- Cap colony; which may be a good thing. The Monti-Cap is growing very fast and may take over the entire rock if left alone. Sadly, my clowns have d used that they don’t like the nems’ new home and have abandoned them.
Amazing that these simple animals really have a mind of their own.
Oh and my Rock Flower Nems that aren’t supposed to move, have all decided to burry themselves on the back side of the rock work and are completely out of view

 

[MPS]