BTA and intake tubes

[dandelion]

I just bought a BTA yesterday. I know I have to cover my power heads up, but do I also have to shield my power filters' intake tubes? I have an AC70 and a C4 (which is pretty much the same as an AC70)

[seabass]

... but do I also have to shield my power filters' intake tubes?

In theory, yes. However, after they get settled, I find they don't move around all that much. So maybe cover the intakes until the anemone settles in.

[Matteo]

Once they get settled they usually "crawl" to another location than rather just let go and float.

[Hammerstone]

To be safe I would, until they get settled

[Simulated Fish]

I know it's taboo but I haven't blocked my PH or overflows. The RBTA I got was a PITA to get off the rock that was home for it 3+ months at my LFS. I placed it in a spot that I thought was good after researching and he hasn't moved at all, just closing up at night or if my clows play to ruff.

 

That said every BTA is different so don't take my word for it. I would cover them the first 2 weeks if your unsure. If it doesn't move then most likely it won't go walking unless your prams change a lot and piss it off.

[dandelion]

I was a bit too lazy to cover the intake tubes.... Maybe I'll do it tomorrow haha.

 

That said I came home today and couldn't find my BTA. I noticed after a while that it has shriveled into a hole in my rock where it used to sit. From the 2-3 tentacles that I could see it's still a healthy rose color. I'm guessing it's just being temperamental?

[seabass]

I wouldn't worry yet.

[AZDesertRat]

In 15 years I have never blocked or screened anything and have never once had an issue. I've had dozens of RBTAs in the 100G at a time and never worried about it. Same with the 16G nano which housed a Sebae anenome for over 20 years.

[seabass]

I've had a rock flower anemone get sucked into an Aquaclear filter (surprisingly, it made it all the way in, got damaged, but survived). I've also had a BTA get sucked onto the intake (luckily, I caught it quick enough so that it wasn't damaged).

 

I can't recall for sure, but I think I've lost an anemone to an intake. I agree, the risk is low, but there is a risk. However, I tend not to cover my intakes and roll the dice. Your call.

[ndrobey]

Cover the intakes regardless. If a snail crawls in there, the shell is going to break the pump impellor.

[dandelion]

I suppose the best cover would be a foam block, which means another thing to clean and maintain.

 

Oh well what did I get myself into LOL.

[seabass]

A foam prefilter is great, but often people just put some fine mesh over the intake. However, this can still be a problem if an anemone gets sucked onto the intake (since the suction at the surface isn't reduced). Plus, you have to keep it clean or it will clog (which is why you might only want to do it temporarily). Like I said, the risk is low for a healthy anemone, and I'd guess that less people protect their intakes than those that actually do.

The fact that your anemone has attached (despite being shriveled up), is a good sign that it is less likely to detach and float away (into an intake). You might wish to lower the flow through the filter temporarily, but be sure to keep the water quality high.