bta ?

[dak0213]

I purchased a BTA thru mail order about 3 weeks ago. My lighting system is 65w dual acitinic & 65w dual daylight. tank size is 72g & is predomintaly LR & Inverts. My ? is my BTA only extends out when lights are out & only moon lights are on. When lights are out he is open but he doesn't extend. I have had him now about 3 weeks. Is this normal?

 

[dak0213]

correction: When lights are on he is open but doesn't extend

 

[thegrog]

How deep is your tank?
IMO, you don't have enough lighting for a BTA. You have less than 2 Watts per gallon (I don't count actinics) and if your tank is deeper than 18", you are far short of what is needed. I would recommend it least 4-5 watts per gallon of PC lighiting and 3-4 of MH (more for deeper tanks)
As far as the health of the anemone, have you tried feeding it? You may be able to make up for the lack of lighting with regular feedings of shrimp, squid and other meaty treats.

 

[thomas712]

If I am reading correctly its dual 65 actinics and dual daylight. This gives him 260 watts of PC? Lighting.
This comes out to 3.6 watts per gallon. Which is close but no cigar IMO. I was successful with 4.2 watts per gallon with BTA's but they were not quite thriving as I wanted them.
He might be able to make it with feeding 2 or 3 times per week, and if the anemone climbs toward the top of the water column on the rocks to the top 1/3 of the tank. Feeding him might help him open up..try it..
As to if it is normal to open but not extend when lights on...well every tank is different and he may still be getting used to things. I suggest giving him more time and see what happens.
I would also consider changing to 420 watts of VHO if possible.
Thomas

 

[dak0213]

my tank is 24" deep w/about 1 1/2" of substrate. bta is attached to lr about 1/2 way up tank. I have been trying to attach pictures but no luck

 

[thomas712]

Pics must be no larger than 500x500 pixels, resize and try again.

 

[thomas712]

I would also track your pH ave. and salinity, temp, calcium and alkalinity.
I find they definatly react to pH problems.
Thomas

 

[dak0213]

links to pictures.
ave: temp 78, alk abt 300, ph 8.0, sal 1.022. we are using Ocean's Blend (2 part form of ph/alk & calcium) every day but ph is not increasing. trying to get it to 8.3-8.4. lfs advsd to use marine buffer to raise ph to 8.3 but that's not working.

 

[thomas712]

Alk about 300? ppm?
Lets see now if I can do this right without Bang Guy setting me straight.
Alk = 294ppm or 16.5 dKH or 5.89 meq/L
or
Alk = 303.6ppm or 17.0 dKH or 6.07 meq/L
Well that could be a major problem your Alk is too high, better check the calcium cause I'll be willing to bet is low. You did not include a score for calcium. This will also make your pH a bit wild, I'll say its fluxuating more than you know.
Thomas

 

[dak0213]

all readings are ppm, i'm using mardel test strips, i have not been checking calcium since not on test strip. however i checked it now & its reading 420ppm. other readings today: nitrate 40 (water change due) nitrite 0, alk (i don't know there is no color on strip to match my reading) ph 8.0 & my salinity is now reading between 1.021 & 1.022.