Looking for an LTA

ed99 · #1 10-11-2003, 01:13 AM

Anybody here in town have a spare LTA? My tank has been running for about 10 months so I'd like to give one of these beasts a try. Unfortunately I don't have anything to trade except cold hard cash.

A couple of related questions-

my nitrate level is 5ppm- is that low enough for the anemone to do well?

if nobody local has one, what is a reasonable price for one at an LFS?

Thanks,

Ed

AJ_77 · #2 10-11-2003, 01:29 AM

Hi Ed, it is pretty unusual to see one come up for sale on here, so when 2 did in the past few weeks, some planets must have aligned or something.

Check with Ocean on Center St north, they have LTAs more often than not, for around $40. If they don't, they say they can get them in easily enough. Even a purple (more money).

Rasta had a decent one (sold), don't remember where he purchased it.

BTW, did you get a Halide pendant or something?? You've probably heard these need some pretty stiff lighting... and a tank that's been stable for awhile - not chiding, just checking. (I should talk.)

ed99 · #3 10-11-2003, 01:48 AM

Thanks Alan for the tips. I know these guys are relatively hard to keep alive so any tips/cautions appreciated. I now have 260W of PC lighting over the 92 corner. From the reading I have done I thought that would be enough for LTAs and BTAs. I decided in the end that installing metal halides were going to do too much damage to my living room!

Quinn · #4 10-11-2003, 01:51 AM

I wuv my LTA.

AJ_77 · #5 10-11-2003, 02:39 AM

Maybe a nice BTA would be a better choice - a BTA can "roam" as it finds a spot that suits it among your rockwork. That might lead it to the upper reaches of your tank, closer to the light.

For an LTA, not so much choice - it stays in and on the substrate (sand). It needs light and food to come down to the bottom, and I think your tank is what, 24" deep? It's a bit of a job for PCs to penetrate well, from what I've read and IME.

Also, BTAs are rumoured to be hardier, and more forgiving. Maybe you could find one of those really cool "Rose" BTAs.

(Quinn - was enjoying your posts in the Anemones & Clownfishes forum at RC earlier. What a hoot.)

EmilyB · #6 10-11-2003, 03:24 AM

I thought you had PC's Alan over the LTA?

AJ_77 · #7 10-11-2003, 04:10 AM

Yup - that's why I said, "I should talk." 170 watts of PC and NO fluorescent over a 50g isn't very much in this trade, is it? But things seem to do OK in there... there's only 16" or so of water.

reminds me, I should go feed that anemone...

It's adjusting to lower lighting. Did I show you the pic of it after something dropped near it? GONE!

Bob I · #8 10-11-2003, 04:18 AM

Just for the record. I had no trouble at all with a LTA in an 18" deep 50 with a maximum of 192 watts of PC lighting. IMO all this talk of bunches of light is highly overrated, as it so often is. Theory is one thing, but experience is what counts in this hobby.

ed99 · #9 10-11-2003, 04:35 AM

According to LiveAquaria.com it is the BTA that has higher lighting requirements compared to the LTA, though as you mentioned, the BTA could move up the rocks. The water depth in my tank is about 21". It seemed to me from the reading that a BTA or LTA would work (the BTA most often came up as the 'easiest'). Deb suggested the LTA since they seem to be less aggressive and less likely to disturb other corals in the tank.

EmilyB · #10 10-11-2003, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ_77

Did I show you the pic of it after something dropped near it? GONE!

It amazes me to this day, how bags of water can have personalities....