My BTA is on a rock that isn’t going into my new tank. How can I convince him to move off of the rock without damaging him? I’ve heard using powerheads to direct flow at the foot, something about ice cubes…Who’s done it before and what method did you use?
Thank yas.
You can try to point a power head directly at it and hope that it gets up and moves. Two potential problems with this is:
If you place an ice cube on it’s foot it will release (and retract) from where it is now, which makes it easier to move somewhere more “accomodating”.
On a seperate and slightly related note - look up Logans_Daddy’s thread on when he moved a BTA from his established tank in to his new Solana - even using aged water, sand and rock the BTA did not do well. Are you mving youres in to a new set-up or can you leave the od set-up together until the new one is ready for the nem?
Have you done the icecube and/or power head methods?
Yea I remembered seeing that thread. The current ‘setup’ is going to the refugium for the new ‘setup’ so I haven’t much choice during the move, but will have a very similar bio diversity as the current setup as I’m simply moving everything. Not sure how it will work out with the nem taking the move. I am hoping to have little to no cycle during the change, but I’ll be removing some bio balls and I’m sure that won’t work out.
I have tried both methods mentioned. The powerhead method didnt work for me… It just shrunk up and didnt move. Ice cubes work, but you have to take you time and have a lot of ice cubes, because they melt really fast. You could also shade the rock that the BTA is on and it should start moving around on its own, and may move to a better place.
I have sucessfully used the ice cube method, but like Icy said - have lots available, they melt quick in 80 degree water.
I have not had any luck with the PH method. My RBTA never moved - but it’s tenticles just stretched REALLY long in the flow.
I have also used the ice cube method twice when it was imperative to remove from a rock. (I bought it from Mick C and used it to release the foot) Is this a case of the rock work being done and you don’t want to add the rock? Or possible some growth (algae) on the rock? Cause to remove the foot it usually need to be stressed.
If your careful, you can simply use your fingernail to slowly peal the foot away from the rock. Once you get a small portion of the perimeter of the foot loose the entire foot will quickly detach. The foot is very rigid and not as easily damaged as one may think. Ive removed BTA’s several times using this method including the RBTA i got from Andy and the GBTA i gave to Craig with no adverse effects. Just take your time.
[quote=“logans_daddy, post:7, topic:1194”]
Just take your time.[/quote]
The mantra of this hobby … lol
[quote=“a1amap, post:6, topic:1194”]
I have also used the ice cube method twice when it was imperative to remove from a rock. (I bought it from Mick C and used it to release the foot) Is this a case of the rock work being done and you don’t want to add the rock? Or possible some growth (algae) on the rock? Cause to remove the foot it usually need to be stressed.[/quote]
It is attached to the kind of rock mentioned in the thread below and I’ve decided not to put it in the new tank. Of course it hasn’t caused an issue (that I know of) so far, so one piece of the rock isn’t going to hurt anything.
http://delreefclub.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=28&topic=1206.0
[quote=“logans_daddy, post:7, topic:1194”]
If your careful, you can simply use your fingernail to slowly peal the foot away from the rock. Once you get a small portion of the perimeter of the foot loose the entire foot will quickly detach. The foot is very rigid and not as easily damaged as one may think. Ive removed BTA’s several times using this method including the RBTA i got from Andy and the GBTA i gave to Craig with no adverse effects. Just take your time.[/quote]
How long did it take you to get it off that way? I’ve read damaging the foot is a death sentence.
Is their foot similar to a snails?
Damaging the foot is far from a death sentence considering some people will literally cut these guys in half with a razor blade as a method of propagation.
It only takes a minute or two. The BTA will make it easy for you by fully retracting once you begin handling it. Im not sure about a snails foot, but the BTA will be very firm and rigid unlike the rest of the body. Its hard to explain, but it will become very apparent once you try. Just carefully pull the edge up, its the only part that seems to be adhesive. Once you have a decent amount of the perimeter peeled off, the entire foot will release. Of course this method is utterly useless if your BTA has its foot attached inside of a hole or crevice which the are prone to do.
Looks like its going to be harder now…my tomato has found a new home and seems pretty protective 
tomato schmatato … make catsup (or ketchup)