can I get an anenome?

[AlyG]

hello,
I started my 55 gallon tank just over 2 years ago. I have 75 pounds of live rock, 2 clown, 1 royal gramma and 1 yellow boxfish. The clowns are getting big and it looks like they are starting to mate. I want to get an anenmoe and was wondering if their is a certain kind I should start out with?
I have also recently installed (4) T5 lights with leds to simulate dawn/dusk. I plan to have the lights turn off about 10 hrs throughout the night. Is this ok if I get an anenmoe?

Thanks for your help!

 

[neilanh]

How much lighting and what kind is on the tank?

 

[melosu58]

The LED`s dont make a difference but your lighting needs to be a T5HO system. You have a tank older than a yr so I would say you are OK at that point but depending if you have enough intensity on your lighting you might be OK. A bubble tip anenome would be a good one if you meet the criteria.

 

[AlyG]

All (4) T5's are 54 watts each, so that's running 216 watts. (2) bulbs are actinic and the other (2) are 12000k.

 

[AlyG]

Mike,
I have been reading about bubble tips, someone also suggested that to me. How often should I feed it? I have been reading 1-2x per week. I feed my box fish mysis/brine, would that work for the anenome?

 

[melosu58]

I personally when I had my anenome never fed it. IMO they get all they need from the water column and lighting. I finally got rid of it because my clowns ignored it and would not host with it.

Also with that lighting you should be OK with a bubble tip.

 

[pat8you]

Some people feed them as often as 1-2x a week but this will cause them to grow very quicly and possibly split more frequently. I would suggest something like every week or ever every other.

In my experience you are right on the boarder of having enough light to keep them happy. Another tank i help on every now and again has a 4 bulb T5 and the same tank hight. They have a RBTA that has been kept long term but the anemone splits very frequitenly and i suspect because it is not getting enough light and is under stress because of it. There are now 4 or 5 RBTAs in the tank and they are stinging other coral and taking over.

If you want to keep one you need to make sure that you have a high spot in your rock close to the lights and make sure you keep up on changing your bulbs since they will dim when they get old.

 

[AlyG]

what are RBTAs? I am not sure what you mean by splitting? I think I need to do more research.
I have true percula clowns, so I am thinking the bubble would be a good starter anenome

thanks for all your suggestions! keep them coming!

 

[neilanh]

RBTA is an acronym for Rose Bubble Tipped Anemone

Splitting is just what it sounds like, happy anemones will split where 1 becomes 2

 

[sean112280]

RBTA is a red bubble tip anemone. I have a GBTA and I feed it once a week. It seems to be doing great that way. Mine split about a month ago. Splitting means it turns into 2 anemones. They are pretty neat to have around. IMO

 

[AlyG]

gotch ya! OMG I want to get one tonight! I am so excited, I had no idea they could muliply! I am such a newb...can u tell!

 

[sean112280]

They are pretty cool to have around. I have a mated pair of GS maroons and they love it.

 

[AlyG]

wow Sean...I like your set-up. just looked at your pics, really nice! what kind of lighting system do you have going on there? it looks like it is a foot higher than the tank?

 

[melosu58]

And even though yes there are many that have had good luck with their anenome`s and clown fish hosting there are alot that were disappointed because their`s would not. There is no guarantee.

 

[sean112280]

Thank you. I have the current sunpod 1163. It has 2 250w 14k MH's in it. Yea it sits a little high but it is working well for the tank. Also like Mike said there is no guarantee on the clowns hosting the Nem.

 

[AlyG]

thanks guys for your help! one more question...how the heck do you guys keep your tanks so clean? I have so much pink algae, I can't make out the background pic anymore!

Mike....I saw your 125 gal tank, that is incredible!!! now, I want a larger tank!!! looks like you have been doing this a lot longer than I have!

 

[sean112280]

that algae is good to have. The way i keep mine clean of coralline is my urchin, he eats it all. But I may get rid of him to get that good purple look back in my tank.

 

[sean112280]

Here is a newer pic of my tank. Notice how things are less purple then before.

 

[AlyG]

hmmm...I'll take your clean tank over my purple one! I'll buy your urchin!

 

[sean112280]

Where do you live at? I would do that