Anenome

[saltydawg]

Hello all,
In a few months I would like to start looking at some anenomes. Of course I would like to be able to do the Clownfish, Anenome match up. I would like to get an idea of which would be a good starter anenome. Of course I have seen some beautiful bta's and carpets, but I want to be realistic for my level of expertise. ;)

[mthomp]

well bta are probably the easiest as they do not require as stringent params as most nems. you will see condes and hatian type going for around 10 bucks but they typically wont host fish.

how long has your tank been setup? typically it is best to wait at least 6 months to a yr before adding one just so your tank is well established.

[saltydawg]

I am at the 3 month mark now. That is why I will be waiting a few more. I read the minimal is 6 months. Just trying to get some input. Thanks

[blackwidow]

Getting the clown and the anenome is the easy part. Watching my pair host nothing for months is the hard part. Goto your home already i tell them. Best of luck to you tho!

[reynoldscorals]

what type of clowns do you have or do you want. all depends on the type of clown to what anemone will be the best for that kind

[Funky187]

bta are usually the best to start out with. most clowns will host them, it may take time though. do you have a description of your system?

[saltydawg]

Well I really like the black clowns. So they would be my first choice. There is a little bit of info in my sig. Other than that my tank is as follows..
sg 1.026
temp 80
mag 1200
calc 400
alk 9
ph 8.0
nitrates 10
trites 0
ammo 0
phos 0
approx 80-90lbs LR
1 1/2" SB
3 sps, 1 lps, shrooms and zoas

[jjwalsh]

I had my RBTA under PC lights and in my old 55 gallon with the backpack skimmer that didn't work very well, plus almost no dosing going on. I would say just get one of those and be done with it! I have never had any hosting issues with my maroon.

[jhoppy]

Your clowns will host a rbta but will become very defensive of that area of the tank. They will chase all of the other fish off.

[mthomp]

edit

[Funky187]

i should have read the sig.... personally i would say no anemone with power compacts, but i have seen it done. if you really want to try it, get one that was a division off of someone else that was under similar lighting. if you take it from powerful lighting to your pc bulbs the anemone might not appreciate it. on a brighter note, no pun intended, black false percs will most definitely host any type of bulb anemone! i would consider upgrading your lighting to something like t5's, 4 bulb unit should work. this will give the future anemone the best possible chance to survive.

[reynoldscorals]

I agree funky. If want want a cheap 4 bulb t5 ho system look on eBay

[saltydawg]

I will keep that in mind. Thank you

[reynoldscorals]

They run around 99.00 plus 22.00 for shipping. I have aloy of people who use them plus I used them for a couple years. I personally think they are a good light. If you want more info on them pm me

[saltydawg]

Well my lighting system is brand new. I am pushing 4.7w a gallon. I believe that is pretty good for now. If I do decide to upgrade I may as well go for the MH's w/VHO supplement.

[reynoldscorals]

4.7 watts a gallon sounds real good to me. I push around 3 watts a gallon on most of my systems

[Funky187]

the watts per gallon is very deceiving. you can push 8 watts per gallon with power compacts and still not have the output of 3 watts per gallon of a good t5 unit. power compact bulbs are very inefficient at putting "PAR" in an aquarium. PAR- photosynthetic available radiation. the "u" shaped bulb alone lends it self to be very inefficient, a lot of light will get "lost" in the fixture and lost into the other side of a bulb. with a QUALITY t5 fixture you will usually have some sort of independent reflector witch will redirect the light that otherwise would have just gone up in to the top of the fixture and puts it into the tank. you cant have individual reflectors with power compact bulbs, but you could replace your bulbs with some of uvlightings new cf bulbs that have internal reflectors. they aren't as nice as an external reflector but still a major improvement over standard compact bulbs.

[saltydawg]

Good info. Thanks

[jjwalsh]

Greatest thing ever:

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_T5_HO_4_Lamp_Light_Fixtures_w_Lunar_LE Ds_24_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures-AquaticLife-AK01035-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

Pricey, but I love the one I have!

[Blueshorts]

Greatest thing ever:

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_T5_HO_4_Lamp_Light_Fixtures_w_Lunar_LE Ds_24_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures-AquaticLife-AK01035-FILTFIT54U-vi.html

Pricey, but I love the one I have!

One of my friends had this set up on his 55g and his SPS grew Pretty well. I think if you call around some of the local shops have them on display as well as for sale.