New Anemone

Hello All,

I have been waiting this out for quite some time now and think that my tank may be ready for it!  Everything reads 0 (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate), my SG is at 1.025 and everything seems to be flourishing...rocks are pretty much 100% coraline purple and all the inverts are doing well and seem to be keeping the tank very clean!  I do 25% water change every 2 weeks and everything has been within safe operating ranges now for about 6 months.

I wanted to try and get an anemone (perhaps name it the white house???!!! ;D) for my clown fish...see my sig for details of my tank!

Any tips/suggestions/recommendations/concerns before I go ahead and buy one?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Seems like verything is ok. My only concern would be the lighting, but you could probably make it work. Anenomes get 98% of their norishment from light, so if you start having problems, you may need to suppliment with more feedings, although the clowns should help with that.


Good Luck.

Aaron

 

You think I would need more lighting than that? I thought I was well above the general rule of thumb!?!? Either way, what would I need to do as far as lighting was concerned? Also, would a Kalkwasser drip be necessary?

Thanks,
Mike

 

Wattage isn't really a measure of light intensity, but "the general rule for coral and inverts etc. is 4 to 6 watt/gallon. You have 3.51 watts/gallon, which is boarderline. Like I said sometimes you can make up fo deficencies by extra feeding, or placing higher light requiring animals closer to the top. Another concern may be the height of your tank. You say it is a tall, meaning things at the bottom are getting even less light. I have heard (speculation abounds in this hobby) that MH are "necessary" for anything over 24" tall. Who knows how truthful this is, as you will hear stories about people making just about any setup work. Anyway, as you probably know, anenomes will move around until they find a spot you like no matter where you start them. It seems as though you have a good thought process, so I would reiterate from my earlier post, that if you do get an anenome be prepared to help with supplimental feedings.

I say give it a go.

Good Luck.

Aaron.

 

Well, what kind of anemone are you conisdering?
They have different light requirements.

Also, no, you do not need a kalk drip. If you are getting coralline, then you Ca is likely fine. Anemones, to my knowledge, are not calcium users like the stony corals and clams are.

 

I guess I will get an easy anemone who will take my clownfish!?

What are some of the more hardy ones that dont require as much light intensity? I guess that's what I should be looking at!

Thanks,
Mike

 

Most go with BTAs. BUt be sure to check the clown/anemone chart on the fish board near the top.

 

I would also suggest a Long Tentacle Anemone. IMO both the LT and the bubble are the 2 "more easy" anemones to keep. Their still not a slice of cake though so be careful. Good luck!

 

Alright everyone...thanks for the tips! I am gonna see what my LFS has to say sometime this or next week...no rush as I am going out of town this weekend and don't really want to get a new anemone and then go out of town and not be able to monitor it! As far as supplimental feeding for the BTA or Long Tentacle is concerned...what does that entail? I have the turkey baster already, but what kind of food should I buy from the LFS?

Thanks,
Mike

 

i usually ppl try meaty stuff like krill and silversides, squid etc. I have also had luck squirting mine w/ mysis and brine shrimp as well.