Anemones and corals

Cooper32803 · Jun 25, 2012

So when I get a large tank I am wanting to get an anemone, but I will also be doing corals in that tank. I had always heard that anemones can't be in a tank with corals. Is that still the case? And if not, how do I do this? Just trying to figure this out before I get the tank so I know what to do when I get it. Thanks everyone!

ritter6788 · Jun 25, 2012

It can be done but there is always a risk of the nem killing a coral if they come in contact.

Cooper32803 · Jun 25, 2012

So do most people just avoid doing this? Or is it a frequent occurence? Would it be best to cycle the tank first and once it is done then place the nem and let it find its spot and once it does the add corals?

mainereefer · Jun 25, 2012

get a bta they usually stay put mine has moved about 1/2" in the past 6 months I have had it in the tank. it didnt move at all in my other tank the 3 years it was in there

Trex · Jun 25, 2012

Really depends on the type of corals and anemones that you plan on keeping.

Personally if I was planning an SPS tank, I would avoid any rock dwelling anemones (( E. quadricolor being the most common one )), and stick with the sandbed dwelling ones.

Pappy · Jun 25, 2012

A tube anemone would be cool and it's to my understanding they stay put!

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 25, 2012

I have a reef tank and I have a sebae anemone. It can be done. I recommend adding the anemone when the tank is more stable, so will say mature. I usually recommend waiting a year before introducing the anemone. Ensure that the lighting is adequate for the anemone that you want. Also, make sure you have plenty of options for the anemone to find its happy spot. For example, my sebae likes to have its base in sand and brush up against rocks. I made sure I had plenty of spots on the sand bed near the rock. I also have not securely attached my corals so I can easily move things around.

miyags · Jun 25, 2012

I had a bta rose rainbow that stayed where I put it for 6 months or so, when it split both halves moved and stung alot of my corals pretty good. It took out a large candy cane. I ended up selling them.

robert · Jun 25, 2012

I have four BTAs in my reef - My green I have built a cave around his attachment but hes so huge that I have to use koralias to keep him off stuff. My RBTAs are surrounded by GSP which they hate and don't seem to cross - they also seem to keep the GSP in check. Some corals the nems ignore - some they actively battle, like euphylias (frogspawn, hammer and torches) and some like goniopora which they seem to avoid. In the end the BTAs always win - so its up to you to keep them apart - If you can add the nems first - let them settle in and add the corals to the remaining space. Allow for growth.

Here's a pic from a couple of months back - things are even bigger now.

Cooper32803 · Jun 25, 2012

Hmmm things to think about. I was just really wanting to do a anemone/clown pair hosting (which isnt guaranteed i know) in my big tank. And I know certain clowns only host with certain anemones so I was thinking I wanted either a pair of tomato clowns or a pair of black clowns. Could I do both in a 125 without them killing each other? Or is it best to keep to one set of clowns only?

Cooper32803 · Jun 25, 2012

robert said:
I have four BTAs in my reef - My green I have built a cave around his attachment but hes so huge that I have to use koralias to keep him off stuff. My RBTAs are surrounded by GSP which they hate and don't seem to cross - they also seem to keep the GSP in check. Some corals the nems ignore - some they actively battle, like euphylias (frogspawn, hammer and torches) and some like goniopora which they seem to avoid. In the end the BTAs always win - so its up to you to keep them apart - If you can add the nems first - let them settle in and add the corals to the remaining space. Allow for growth.

Here's a pic from a couple of months back - things are even bigger now.

Thats a beautiful setup there. I bet it looks great in person with everything in motion... So it is possible to do. Decisions decisions...