Anemone question??

I've never really been able to keep an anemone for a long period of time. What is the trick. I want to give my 2 percs a good home. 77 gal, metal halide, LR, skimmer etc...

Thanks

 

no trick just perfect water quality, and getting a healthy one from the get go.

we would be better able to help if you tell us you params, and wattage of you halide bulb.
do you use RO/di water?

 

Anemone

I have as a system for this tank: 77 gal, 2 clamp on pendants (coralife 150 watts, 14,000 k), Aqua C Remora Pro skimmer about 70 lbs live rock, 2 power heads, and a fluval 304. I always use R/O water. I keep clams, open brain, leathers, lots of mushrooms, but have never had any luck with the anemones. What types are the hardiest to keep by the way?

Thanks

:-/

 

how old is the tank? For best chances your tank should be at least a year. I have a Long Tentacled anemone and it seems to be very hardy. I use HO T5 lighting but the most popular opinions are that metal halide is best. Water quality, lighting, and age of the tank are the key things here.

Btw, your clowns don't need an anemone to survive/be happy and there is no guarantee they will even host. Just food for thought

 

The only anemone's I've ever had are seabe's. I have two 75gal tanks and each one was put in when the tank was only a couple months old. Everyone says not to do this however mine have been fine. Seabe's usually come from the lfs bright white, this is not good, this means that they are bleached. In order to get them healthy you have to feed them meaty foods (I use fresh shrimp or scallops from the grocery store) every 2-3 days until they build up their zooanthelle. You will know this is happening when they start turning a tan/brown color and no longer white. I feed mine a meaty treat once a week (or less often) just because they like that. I've had nitrates at 40ppm and anemone's have survived. As far as lighting goes I only have T12's, PC's & T8's ... nothing special. I would suggest as others will as well, not to put them into the tank right away like I did, it's probably not a good idea.

 

I think keeping it fed is very important. If you belive that your water quality is good then look to feeding. Anemones are one of the most stressed inverts that you can get. Most are bleeched white and very sick. Also when it does get situated it is key you don't aggitate it too much. I have mine under a 250 watt 10k bulb. I also started it in my tank early

 

I would say this is the most important factor. These inverts also require a ridiculously long acclimation period IME compared to other fish and inverts.

 

I have 2 in my 65 gal tank, one lta and one condylactis, The pair of False percula clowns host the lta, and I have had them for about a year and a half with no problems, but both were healthy when I got em, and I feed them silversides every so often.