Could I add an anemone?

Wilkerson.reed · Mar 1, 2016

I was thinking about adding a bubble tip anemone. I have some other inverts in the tank as well like an urchin, snails, hermit crabs, and a cleaner shrimp. Anyways I got an anemone when I was around 12 or just turned 13 and didn't know much about them. It was doing fine and I was feeding it krill. I saw it looked a little deflated on the sand bed one day instead of a rock and I thought it was dead so I took it out of the tank and that is how I lost my first anemone[emoji53] i should have done my research first. I had just set up the tank like a month before I put the anemone in the tank so that was also not the best decision. Anyways my tank has been set up for about a year and a half and is that long enough to add an anemone? I have a dual t5ho fixture one 10000k and one actinic. I also have a cheap little 78 bulb led fixture.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1456865527.274500.jpg

Is this enough light for an anemone? Can anemones tolerate nitrate levels around 10-15? That's what mine are right now...

Wilkerson.reed · Mar 1, 2016

Also, my tank is a 36 gallon

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 1, 2016

That's probably enough light to start. Are your parameters stable?

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 1, 2016

What is the wattage on your T5s?

Wilkerson.reed · Mar 1, 2016

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
What is the wattage on your T5s?

They are only 24 watts each. 48 watts total on the t5 fixture. The led I have no idea on watts and I don't have any idea on the par of either

Wilkerson.reed · Mar 1, 2016

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
That's probably enough light to start. Are your parameters stable?

Yes all my parameters are stable

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 1, 2016

Lighting is probably a little low. You'd know once you added the anemone by where he ends up spending most of his time. If he's high up in the tank, your lighting is most likely too low.

Wilkerson.reed · Mar 2, 2016

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Lighting is probably a little low. You'd know once you added the anemone by where he ends up spending most of his time. If he's high up in the tank, your lighting is most likely too low.

Should I try it and see? Or would you suggest against it?

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 3, 2016

Honestly, I'd advise against it unless you're prepared to add light or you can return the anemone if your lighting isn't adequate. I don't know how your lighting is set up and whether it's feasible to add more lights. If you wanted to try a condylactus anemone, they are fairly cheap. Just beware that a condylactus can sting other inhabitants and will never host a clownfish.