Mixing CSB with other BTA?

[kinetic]

I've had success mixing a bunch of BTAs, even touching, and never really had any issues. I keep reading, however, sellers of the CSB saying not to mix them with other BTAs. Is this true? Or do you think it's just because they're so expensive that every possible precaution should be taken?

I'd like to own a CSB one day, but not at the expense of never keeping another BTA in the same tank, so just trying to figure out what the deal is here.

If you have a CSB, did you mix with other BTAs?

What exactly does it mean mix? Like in the same tank, right next to each other, or what?

 

[TKCorals]

I currently have about 8 BTA's in the same tank as my CSB I haven't had an issue. But I have heard the same thing from Vendors that they will kill each other if they touch some type of chemical warfare. I have only see one BTA get close enough to touch my CSB but it didn't do anything I moved it just in case. Maybe others can share their experiences.

 

[pecan2phat]

I cannot keep green BTAs nor CSB Nems with Rainbows, the Rainbows will keep the others closed up and eventually they will perish in my experience.

 

[kinetic]

It doesn't seem like anybody knows for sure. Could it be true that a CSB could also die with no other BTA's in the tank? I'm sure that's happened too.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

It doesn't seem like anybody knows for sure. Could it be true that a CSB could also die with no other BTA's in the tank? I'm sure that's happened too.

Ummmmm obviously Anything can die at any time with nothing in the tank. Kind of a strange question for you to ask don’t you think????!!!?!?

 

[Jekyl]

Been a few threads on this and certain color variations seem to just not mix.
@Eagle_Steve @Lost in the Sauce @Rtaylor @fishguy242

 

[kinetic]

Ummmmm obviously Anything can die at any time with nothing in the tank. Kind of a strange question for you to ask don’t you think????!!!?!?

Is it strange? I'm thinking of purchasing one, but all I've seen are sellers saying don't mix them. I'm looking for some information about why that is, which is what forums are great for discussing.

If you didn't understand, that's ok, but the main point is: Is there some reason CSB's can't survive with other BTAs?

Maybe it's chemical warfare, but do we know that for a fact or it's just a theory? Or are CSBs dying and there's no hard evidence that it's from other BTAs?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Is it strange? I'm thinking of purchasing one, but all I've seen are sellers saying don't mix them. I'm looking for some information about why that is, which is what forums are great for discussing.

If you didn't understand, that's ok, but the main point is: Is there some reason CSB's can't survive with other BTAs?

Maybe it's chemical warfare, but do we know that for a fact or it's just a theory? Or are CSBs dying and there's no hard evidence that it's from other BTAs?

I’m gonna move on and this will be my last post here but reread the question you just posted you asked if something could die in your tank. Like seriously ?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Your original question is can it die being mixed with other anemones then you literally ask can It die with no other anemones i literally palmed my forehead with my hand when I read that

 

[kinetic]

I’m gonna move on and this will be my last post here but reread the question you just posted you asked if something could die in your tank. Like seriously ?

That's exactly my point. CSB dying can be for any reason, just like anything else, so I'm curious if there's a true cause here from other BTAs, or if people are just guessing without any hard evidence. I'm not denying that there is hard evidence, but trying to figure out if there's real truth in specifically BTAs not mixing.

Why are you in this thread if you're just searching for ways to point out things you think aren't serious? You're twisting the words to do what?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Is it strange? I'm thinking of purchasing one, but all I've seen are sellers saying don't mix them. I'm looking for some information about why that is, which is what forums are great for discussing.

If you didn't understand, that's ok, but the main point is: Is there some reason CSB's can't survive with other BTAs?

Maybe it's chemical warfare, but do we know that for a fact or it's just a theory? Or are CSBs dying and there's no hard evidence that it's from other BTAs?

We do not know Exactly why, but there have been a lot of experiences given, across the country of csb's not mixing well with your standard quadricolor.

There have also been some that Could keep them.

If you're going to try, running large amounts of fresh carbon 24/7 as is best practice with running many dissimilar nems.

There are Dozens of threads here of people reporting issues with the mix. I don't think it's made up. I also don't think we understand the full underlying reason.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

We do not know Exactly why, but there have been a lot of experiences given, across the country of csb's not mixing well with your standard quadricolor.

There have also been some that Could keep them.

If you're going to try, running large amounts of fresh carbon 24/7 as is best practice with running many dissimilar nems.

There are Dozens of threads here of people reporting issues with the mix. I don't think it's made up. I also don't think we understand the full underlying reason.

This right here. I have successfully kept them along with about 15 other species of nems (gbta, rbta included in those), but i literally ran a 5 gallon bucket of carbon that was swapped out every month. Like no joke. Up flow screw on lid 5 gallon bucket full of carbon on the system.

With that said, there have been others who had 0 issues mixing them. As mentioned, we have no idea why some strains get along and some do not.

 

[kinetic]

Just an update to my question:

I added a 4" CSB to a 40G Breeder tank that has:
1. 6 Rainbow BTA splits (all about 3-4")
2. 1 Magnifica (about 6-7")
3. Pair of ocellaris clownfish hosted in the magnifica

The breeder tank was seeded with 6 year old live rock from my other tank, new sand, seeded marinepure spheres, and allowed to "cycle" over the course of 60 days of ammonia chloride doses. So far, the CSB is doing fine. It half split when I first added it to the tank (I think it got mad when I had to peel it off of the container when I was adding it to the tank). I only temp acclimated, and it instantly took to a rock (pumps off for about 15 minutes).

The csb is on its own rock, no anemones should be able to get to it (unless they detach and float there, or somehow walk over sand).

Other than the half split (two feet, one disc/mouth), it is looking really good.

 

[Steve and his Animals]

Just an update to my question:

I added a 4" CSB to a 40G Breeder tank that has:
1. 6 Rainbow BTA splits (all about 3-4")
2. 1 Magnifica (about 6-7")
3. Pair of ocellaris clownfish hosted in the magnifica

The breeder tank was seeded with 6 year old live rock from my other tank, new sand, seeded marinepure spheres, and allowed to "cycle" over the course of 60 days of ammonia chloride doses. So far, the CSB is doing fine. It half split when I first added it to the tank (I think it got mad when I had to peel it off of the container when I was adding it to the tank). I only temp acclimated, and it instantly took to a rock (pumps off for about 15 minutes).

The csb is on its own rock, no anemones should be able to get to it (unless they detach and float there, or somehow walk over sand).

Other than the half split (two feet, one disc/mouth), it is looking really good.

I've had nems walk over sand plenty, so don't act like it can't happen. I recently did a very large water change on my reef (at least 75% total system volume) and my mag let go of it's spot at the top of the glass while the tank was drained. I placed it on a small rock island figuring it would move anyway. Next morning it's walking across the sand to be more directly under the light.

 

[kinetic]

I've had nems walk over sand plenty, so don't act like it can't happen. I recently did a very large water change on my reef (at least 75% total system volume) and my mag let go of it's spot at the top of the glass while the tank was drained. I placed it on a small rock island figuring it would move anyway. Next morning it's walking across the sand to be more directly under the light.

Right, I'm not discounting that it can walk over sand, just saying it's on its own island at the moment. But it's been almost 2 months and the anemones haven't moved, so I'm not too worried about the existing ones. Now who knows if the csb will decide to wander over to the others. Crossing fingers I would catch it if it does happen.

I also have nem guards and all that, so other than the magnifica eating the csb if they collided somehow, I think I'm ok for now.

Oh one other thing, I'm not running any carbon. I will, however, add a carbon reactor in there soon, just to be safe.

 

[kinetic]

Two weeks later, CSB is doing well with rainbow bta's and magnifica.

There was one day where it turned inside out and a chunk of insides discharged, I thought that was it, but since then it's been opening up fully and looks just fine.

I just added an Aquamaxx FR-M internal reactor with about 3 cups of carbon (ROX 0.8). I don't think I'll need it, but after that brief scare I'm doing it just in case. I don't think you can ever have *too* much carbon, so yes, 3 cups for this 40g breeder it is.

 

[pecan2phat]

Good luck with those nems brother!
I'm curious to follow this thread with the mix of BTAs and especially with a Ritteri in there as well.

 

[kinetic]

Good luck with those nems brother!
I'm curious to follow this thread with the mix of BTAs and especially with a Ritteri in there as well.

Thank you!

So a quick update:

I added the carbon and the next day the CSB decided to float around and walk into the corner of the tank, behind the Avast Plank tube. It did that at some point in the early morning, and maybe because light comes through a window in the morning on that side of the tank perhaps. But it hasn't moved since. It does stretch itself out to try to get to more light, but it's really not getting any PAR from my LED's.

It seems to really like low flow, and doesn't care for light at the moment.

I don' tknow if the movement suddenly had to do with the carbon or not, but either way, still successful keeping it with the other BTA's and magnifica.

 

[D-Nak]

Keep an eye out for a VERY slow decline of the CSB. Take photos (something tells me you’ll be good at that) so that you can refer back to them. What I’m concerned about are the RBTAs. I have a tank with two magnifica, a gigantea, and a CSB and they all get along.

 

[kinetic]

Keep an eye out for a VERY slow decline of the CSB. Take photos (something tells me you’ll be good at that) so that you can refer back to them. What I’m concerned about are the RBTAs. I have a tank with two magnifica, a gigantea, and a CSB and they all get along.

Yeah, it isn't clearly thriving at the moment. Stuck behind equipment in the corner doesn't seem great to me. All I can see is the foot and it hangs straight down.

I'm on the fence... move all the RBTA's out or keep going to see if this experiment will be successful.

How long do you think this slow decline would take?