BTA location and lighting

Ab129 · 02/24/2019, 02:02 PM

Originally posted this in the clownfish and anemone forum but didn’t get much in the way of responses so figured I’d try it here.

I have 3 BTAs after 2 splits and all 3 are attached to the top of my rockwork which is just below the water line and right under one of my lights.

They really seem to be doing very well, one has gotten quite large.

Of course my clowns avoid them like the plague but that is beside the point!

I would prefer it if they moved down a little on the rocks so they would be more visible. Now they are mostly blocked from view by my wood canopy and you have to bend down to get a better look at them.

I was considering upping the intensity of my lights slightly to get them to move but I don’t want to harm them.

Is this something that I should try or should I just leave well enough alone?

Thanks for any advice!

billdogg · 02/24/2019, 04:34 PM

They are going to go wherever it is they are happiest. Changing your lighting may do the trick, but then everything else will have to adjust as well. You could try redirecting your powerheads to convince them that there is someplace nicer, but that place may very well be behind the rocks!

Uncle99 · 02/24/2019, 07:06 PM

I would just leave them!

bhbell · 02/24/2019, 07:14 PM

Other than lowering the level of the top of the rocks by rearranging your tank, there's really not much you can do. If they're not happy, they let go and drift around till they find someplace new. They can also wind up sucked into a powerhead or an overflow, both are very bad for your animal and tank.

Misled · 02/25/2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

They are going to go wherever it is they are happiest.

That. Nothing else matters.

02/24/2019, 02:02 PM	#1
Ab129 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 367	BTA location and lighting Originally posted this in the clownfish and anemone forum but didn’t get much in the way of responses so figured I’d try it here. I have 3 BTAs after 2 splits and all 3 are attached to the top of my rockwork which is just below the water line and right under one of my lights. They really seem to be doing very well, one has gotten quite large. Of course my clowns avoid them like the plague but that is beside the point! I would prefer it if they moved down a little on the rocks so they would be more visible. Now they are mostly blocked from view by my wood canopy and you have to bend down to get a better look at them. I was considering upping the intensity of my lights slightly to get them to move but I don’t want to harm them. Is this something that I should try or should I just leave well enough alone? Thanks for any advice! __________________ 75 gal, TriggerRuby30 sump, Reef Octo 150 sss skimmer and Varios 6 return pump, Icecap gyre 3k, (2) Radion xr15 4 gen, Icecap ATO, Spectrapure RO/DI NO3-0, Mag-1385, Ca-430, Alk-9.1, pH-8.1 Current Tank Info: nitrates 0 SG 1.026, pH 8.1

02/24/2019, 04:34 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	They are going to go wherever it is they are happiest. Changing your lighting may do the trick, but then everything else will have to adjust as well. You could try redirecting your powerheads to convince them that there is someplace nicer, but that place may very well be behind the rocks! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/24/2019, 07:14 PM	#4
bhbell Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 344	Other than lowering the level of the top of the rocks by rearranging your tank, there's really not much you can do. If they're not happy, they let go and drift around till they find someplace new. They can also wind up sucked into a powerhead or an overflow, both are very bad for your animal and tank.