Help with ideas for setting up an anemone tank?

Daniel@R2R · Jul 15, 2013

I have a 120g predator tank that I am converting to an anemone propagation tank. What are some things that I should know? I'm planning on having a pair of clowns be my only inhabitants (hoping maybe I'll get some baby clowns out of the deal).

I have a list of questions...

What type of special considerations should I think about over what I would have on a typical reef?
What types of anemones should I consider keeping (I'm definitely planning on propagating rare/high end BTAs...I've got 2 for starter nems)?
Where could I get some cool/high end anemones? Any specific suggestions on nems I should work on getting for propagation?
Am I likely to be able to breed clowns in this type of setting?

I have the following equipment:

120g tank w/ 40g sump
Protein skimmer rated for 300g
2 MP40s (thinking about swapping these out for something less high end...maybe the Jabeo WP40s and moving these to my 180 reef)
Lighting will be LEDs

Daniel62 · Jul 15, 2013

I take it you mean BTA"S. most people say that you should seperate the different strains/colors. the powerheads you have, will need to have the foam covers on them and even that is no gaureentee that they will stay out of them.

Most people use a closed loop system to keep the PH's out of the tank. your light should be fine. I have clowns in my nem prop system but just for the fact that they are somewhat benificial to the nems health.

You will not really be able to breed clowns in this setup, unless you are able/willing to pull the eggs pre-hatch or collect the fry just after hatch. You will then need a grow out system for the fry.

Unless you are willing to wait for them to split, then you always risk lossing them when you frag them.

As to were to find these nems , start search all the live stock selling forums and I do mean all of them. these nems usually sell fast.

Good luck

Daniel@R2R · Jul 15, 2013

Daniel62 said:
I take it you mean BTA"S. most people say that you should seperate the different strains/colors. the powerheads you have, will need to have the foam covers on them and even that is no gaureentee that they will stay out of them.

Most people use a closed loop system to keep the PH's out of the tank. your light should be fine. I have clowns in my nem prop system but just for the fact that they are somewhat benificial to the nems health.

You will not really be able to breed clowns in this setup, unless you are able/willing to pull the eggs pre-hatch or collect the fry just after hatch. You will then need a grow out system for the fry.

Unless you are willing to wait for them to split, then you always risk lossing them when you frag them.

As to were to find these nems , start search all the live stock selling forums and I do mean all of them. these nems usually sell fast.

Good luck

Thanks! This is helpful info. I don't really plan on doing a fry system (I hate trying to cultivate rotifers), so I think breeding clowns is out...I was just hoping maybe a few would survive if the pair started spawning.

I don't plan on fragging (at least not something I only have one or two of), and I've had pretty good luck with getting my current nems to split, so I just plan on getting alot of these guys and letting them split. I was kind of considering doing separate rock formations and maybe keeping a few different color strains in the tank (I have 4 different types in my 180 reef, so I was thinking I could probably do 5-6 in a dedicated tank this size where I am actively monitoring the nems).