do I return this anemone or keep

[dandoozled]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this forum.. I'm posting on this thread because I need an answer on this topic as soon as possible, thank you!!
I purchased a long tentacle anemone, no lie in a very impulse purchase manner... but I've been researching a lot on caring for it, and I'm just nervous about it surviving in my tank even if I try as careful as I possibly can. The last few days have been a huge pain because the powerhead kept blowing the little guy out of the position I placed him in, then I read it needs to be placed in deep sand.. So I did that, without any success because it would just climb out every time even if I left the powerhead off.
As my final attempt, I just placed him in between some rocks hoping he would just stay, and it has finally attached itself in-between the rock work.. for now at least. I'm not fully sure if it is actually sticking, earlier this morning the anemone's foot wasn't even a tad bit sticky, but it looked fairly healthy and colorful so I'm not fully sure if it's just sitting there because the current pushes it between the rocks or if it is actually sticking.

My current concern is that the tank is only 3-4 weeks old, finished cycling and it is a 13.5 gallon fluval evo... will this anemone become too large to be in the front display of my tank? Would it be better to return it, and consider the thought of owning one sometime later? And if so, would a bta be better suited for my tank if I were to get one in the future for my 2 clowns? Thank you

 

[dandoozled]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this forum.. I'm posting on this thread because I need an answer on this topic as soon as possible, thank you!! ( I posted this on the emergency forum without reading, my bad about that)
I purchased a long tentacle anemone, no lie in a very impulse purchase manner... but I've been researching a lot on caring for it, and I'm just nervous about it surviving in my tank even if I try as careful as I possibly can. The last few days have been a huge pain because the powerhead kept blowing the little guy out of the position I placed him in, then I read it needs to be placed in deep sand.. So I did that, without any success because it would just climb out every time even if I left the powerhead off.
As my final attempt, I just placed him in between some rocks hoping he would just stay, and it has finally attached itself in-between the rock work.. for now at least. I'm not fully sure if it is actually sticking, earlier this morning the anemone's foot wasn't even a tad bit sticky, but it looked fairly healthy and colorful so I'm not fully sure if it's just sitting there because the current pushes it between the rocks or if it is actually sticking.

My current concern is that the tank is only 3-4 weeks old, finished cycling and it is a 13.5 gallon fluval evo... will this anemone become too large to be in the front display of my tank? Would it be better to return it, and consider the thought of owning one sometime later? And if so, would a bta be better suited for my tank if I were to get one in the future for my 2 clowns? Thank you

 

[snow 905]

Is my understanding that a anemone will go where it wants or where it likes the most in the tank . I have the fluvel 13.5 and i think Most your problems are gonna come with the Filtration and swing of water parameters that come with this tank . I'm not saying it's not do able But this tank can be real finicky I think your biggest challenge Is going to be keeping a stable reef

 

[justmee]

Is my understanding that a anemone will go where it wants or where it likes the most in the tank . I have the fluvel 13.5 and i think Most your problems are gonna come with the Filtration and swing of water parameters that come with this tank . I'm not saying it's not do able But this tank can be real finicky I think your biggest challenge Is going to be keeping a stable reef

+1 Not only will it be a challenge to keep your tank's parameter stable with a small tank, IMO your tank is still quite new at 3-4 weeks which have not built up with beneficial elements to sustain the anemone. If it was me, I would wait and get one in future, after 6+ month where you have successfully kept your tank stable. Remember, saltwater hobby requires patience. Goodluck!

 

[Mike N]

I would return the anemone based on the age of the tank alone.
Anemones really do need aged aquariums (6-12mo) for whatever reason. Those with tons of experience may be able to pull it off, but most people will end up with a dead anemone and dampened enthusiasm for the hobby.

 

[Jeight]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef !!!
Like others said your yank is too young.
Thats an LTA and they get to be 18”-21” big and your tank is really small. When your ready to get one look into bubble tips. Although they aren’t always going to host..it might.

 

[Ludders]

I would return the anemone based on the age of the tank alone.
Anemones really do need aged aquariums (6-12mo) for whatever reason. Those with tons of experience may be able to pull it off, but most people will end up with a dead anemone and dampened enthusiasm for the hobby.

Totally 100% agree and nothing more to add than what others have stated about moving them and reef stability are absolutely correct.

 

[dandoozled]

awesome thank you for the great advice! I just traded in the anemone for a few corals, pretty excited to see how this goes! Thanks again

 

[Mike N]

awesome thank you for the great advice! I just traded in the anemone for a few corals, pretty excited to see how this goes! Thanks again

Good decision! I wish you the best of luck with your Evo reef.

 

[shred5]

LTA are sand anemones and digging a hole can help them.
You look like you have a decent sandbed.

That LTA looks healthy but somewhat bleached also..

 

[Gonebad395]

Welcome to R2R. You did the best and most responsible thing you could have for that nem which was returning it kudos to you. Again welcome and before anymore impulse buys ask here this is a great place to learn and get information.

 

[dandoozled]

Welcome to R2R. You did the best and most responsible thing you could have for that nem which was returning it kudos to you. Again welcome and before anymore impulse buys ask here this is a great place to learn and get information.

thanks! will do

 

[Sashaka]

Welcome!
Ditto to what everyone else is saying. About the only kind of nems that will fit in your sized tank is a mini maxi (sand dweller) and rock flower anemones (these hang out on rocks), neither of which a clown fish will usually host, though I have seen a few clowns try to host duncan coral and even zoas, so I guess anything is possible even if it's not probable.