RBTA hiding

[Tom S.]

Hey all,

I added this rainbow bubble tip anemone to my tank on Thursday. It moved from what I thought was a great spot all the way across the tank and is hiding in the back. Do these typically settle out in the open? I've dialed back the flow to see if it'll come back out. It looks healthy and my clown fish seemed to be interested when I first added it to the tank. Now that it's in the bottom in the back I don't think the clownfish are interested. Does anyone have any tips for making it more comfortable for it?

 

[T-J]

Yeah.
Step 1: Have a mature tank. Looks like you haven't met step 1 yet, so continue to the later steps at some point.
Step 2: A nem will find the spot it wants to be in.
Step 3: Get nem guards for your wavemakers
Step 4: Leave all of your stuff run however it's going to run. If you slow your pumps and then bring them back up to speed, the nem will likely move again.

 

[Tom S.]

Yeah.
Step 1: Have a mature tank. Looks like you haven't met step 1 yet, so continue to the later steps at some point.
Step 2: A nem will find the spot it wants to be in.
Step 3: Get nem guards for your wavemakers
Step 4: Leave all of your stuff run however it's going to run. If you slow your pumps and then bring them back up to speed, the nem will likely move again.

What would you consider a mature tank? 6 months? Is it time based or stable parameters?

 

[T-J]

What would you consider a mature tank? 6 months? Is it time based or stable parameters?

Considering you're brand new to the hobby, and that you started this tank in May, I would say a combination of what you said: at least 6 months and stable parameters.
Nems are a PITA. My wife calls them death piñatas, as they can completely let go and then float around the tank bumping into everything (killing everything) and then getting ground up by a powerhead. Or, they decide to block your overflow. Ask me how I know! I've been in this hobby for 20+ years and I'm not a huge nem fan.
Yeah, I have a giant carpet nem in my tank (wife picked it out), and it's eaten about 6 of my fish.
But yeah, let your tank mature. Do more research. Set yourself up for success.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

So yes what @TJ said. One more thing I’d add. If he starts climbing then walls, I’d pull him off and place him on the rocks. Once it hunkers down on your rock work, he should be fine. Also besides good lighting that you have? A little supplemental feeding weekly is recommended/needed. Good luck they’re great once they settle in.

 

[Tom S.]

Considering you're brand new to the hobby, and that you started this tank in May, I would say a combination of what you said: at least 6 months and stable parameters.
Nems are a PITA. My wife calls them death piñatas, as they can completely let go and then float around the tank bumping into everything (killing everything) and then getting ground up by a powerhead. Or, they decide to block your overflow. Ask me how I know! I've been in this hobby for 20+ years and I'm not a huge nem fan.
Yeah, I have a giant carpet nem in my tank (wife picked it out), and it's eaten about 6 of my fish.
But yeah, let your tank mature. Do more research. Set yourself up for success.

Sounds exciting haha. Thanks for the tips. I'll work on nemproofing the tank for now and keep an eye on it. Hopefully it makes it and doesn't destroy the rest of my corals!

 

[Tom S.]

So yes what @TJ said. One more thing I’d add. If he starts climbing then walls, I’d pull him off and place him on the rocks. Once it hunkers down on your rock work, he should be fine. Also besides good lighting that you have? A little supplemental feeding weekly is recommended/needed. Good luck they’re great once they settle in.

I think the light should be good I have 2 red sea reefled 90s. I'll make sure I'm giving it dinner once a week as well. Thanks!