Help the new guy out

[Dloy90]

Right now i have a fish only aquarium but have always fancied an anemone for my clowns.

If i got an anemone, what would i need to start doing differently to maintaining fish only and what, if any, equipment would i need?

* edit * I have 2 AI Hydra 26HD lights and the only flow at the moment is the return pipe.

 

[ScottR]

Right now i have a fish only aquarium but have always fancied an anemone for my clowns.

If i got an anemone, what would i need to start doing differently to maintaining fish only and what, if any, equipment would i need?

Anemones need a good light first and foremost as they photosynthesize most of their energy. Also, ultra stable parameters is key as they can be fussy with fluctuations. After these are met, they are mostly happy. Usually nems aren’t recommended for newer tanks <6 months.

 

[Dloy90]

.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Moderate lighting and water flow. Although not necessarily, you may feed them occasionally with Reef roids, or squirt of brine shrimp into their core via a turkey baster

 

[Dloy90]

Moderate lighting and water flow. Although not necessarily, you may feed them occasionally with Reef roids, or squirt of brine shrimp into their core via a turkey baster

I have 2 AI 26hHD lights but no powerheads. Is the return pipe enough flow, or should I get a powerhead?

 

[Dloy90]

Anemones need a good light first and foremost as they photosynthesize most of their energy. Also, ultra stable parameters is key as they can be fussy with fluctuations. After these are met, they are mostly happy. Usually nems aren’t recommended for newer tanks <6 months.

I have 2 x AI Hydra 26HD's and the tank is now 7 months old. I got the Red sea kit to test PH, Alk, Nitrate, Nitrite and Amonia. Do you need to test for anything else with nems?

 

[ScottR]

I have 2 x AI Hydra 26HD's and the tank is now 7 months old. I got the Red sea kit to test PH, Alk, Nitrate, Nitrite and Amonia. Do you need to test for anything else with nems?

You’ve got what you need it seems. Just be sure to keep parameters stable. A test kit is there to tell you when something isn’t right but you then need to correct it. You’ll definitely want some powerheads for good water flow. Your fish will probably enjoy that as well. Just keep an eye out that your nem isn’t getting blasted by flow. But typically a nem will walk to where it wants to live in tank. Sometimes they even walk into powerheads ;Dead

 

[Katrina71]

I have 2 AI 26hHD lights but no powerheads. Is the return pipe enough flow, or should I get a powerhead?

I'd try it without first. Jmo.

 

[foxt]

Sometimes they even walk into powerheads ;Dead

This is probably the most important thing you need to be careful about. Having an anemone shredded by a powerhead would be a disaster for your tank. There are strategies you can use to avoid/prevent this, such as having good guards on the powerhead, choosing an anemone less likely to travel (they will all travel, some more so than others), placing the anemone in what should be a good spot, etc.

What kind of nem are you considering?

 

[Katrina71]

If you get a powerhead, you must cover it with netting to prevent the nem from being shredded. After it securely foots, you can remove the netting.

 

[Dloy90]

I'd try it without first. Jmo.

At the risk of sounding stupid, if i try without, how would i know whether or not it would be better to add a powerhead?

 

[Dloy90]

This is probably the most important thing you need to be careful about. Having an anemone shredded by a powerhead would be a disaster for your tank. There are strategies you can use to avoid/prevent this, such as having good guards on the powerhead, choosing an anemone less likely to travel (they will all travel, some more so than others), placing the anemone in what should be a good spot, etc.

What kind of nem are you considering?

I haven't properly looked into what type to be honest. Purely because I wasn't sure what, if anything, I would need to change in my tank to accommodate one. Are there any you would recommend ? I like the look of these....

Purple Tipped Condy Anemone Fluorescent -

<p> These Anemones require strong lighting and will appreciate sandy rocky locations for it to dwell. They will accept prepared meaty foods such as shrimp etc. They may host Clownfish and make a good addition to an established aquarium.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size...

mailordercorals.com

 

[Katrina71]

At the risk of sounding stupid, if i try without, how would i know whether or not it would be better to add a powerhead?

Post pics daily. Folks here can help you observe.

 

[Katrina71]

I'd try a bubble tip. Imo.

 

[ScottR]

At the risk of sounding stupid, if i try without, how would i know whether or not it would be better to add a powerhead?

You’ll know when a nem isn’t happy, they close up, shoot their belly out of their mouth, tentacles thin out, lose foothold, etc. Sometimes it’s just normal nem behavior but usually a sign that change is needed.

 

[Mayerlyn A]

If your goal is for it to host the clowns, a bubble tip is a good one to get.

 

[foxt]

Great responses so far! Condys are one of the nems that might be likely to go wandering in your tank. +1 on the bubble tip. They like to get their foot in to rock crevices or rubble, and then are more likely to stay put. As someone else mentioned, if you are thinking about pairing up with a clown, bubble tips are also good candidates. Not all clowns will host in a BTA, so there is no guarantee, but there are things you can try that make it more likely when the time comes.

 

[Dloy90]

Bubble tip it is then! Do i need to test for any other parameters over and above PH,Alk,Nitrate,Nitrite and Ammonia?

Also, are fish other than the clowns likely to bother it?

 

[lmm1967]

if you want it to host a clown - confirm that whatever type you get is a natural host for the species of clown you have or intend to get.

Flow, lighting etc - with nems - who knows what it'll do or what it will like day to day You should have enough light with your Hydras as long as you are leaving them on for 10+ hours per day.

Keep your water params stable - and make sure you're nitrates aren't too high (what's too high? dunno, but I would try to keep them below 20 ppm if you can)

 

[Dloy90]

if you want it to host a clown - confirm that whatever type you get is a natural host for the species of clown you have or intend to get.

Flow, lighting etc - with nems - who knows what it'll do or what it will like day to day You should have enough light with your Hydras as long as you are leaving them on for 10+ hours per day.

Keep your water params stable - and make sure you're nitrates aren't too high (what's too high? dunno, but I would try to keep them below 20 ppm if you can)

Thanks. I dont keep my lights on that long at the moment but thats obviously because the fish dont need them to be and an easy change! Wheres best to find out what type of nem is natural host for a " Normal " clown? A couple of people on here have recommended a bubble tip so going to look into them.