Rock Flower Anemone Breeding System

AcroNem · Aug 20, 2018

Eastlake said:
be careful with the black sand, there are a couple of threads on here where people sent theirs out for testing when their coral failed to thrive ror even survive and it had elevated rates of some kind of element that was killing their coral. I think the info was in "turtle's deep blue" thread.

I've been using black sand for almost 15 years. And know many who have used it long term as well with zero problems. To be blunt my opinion on black sand being a big problem is about the same as blaming the ceramic media blocks for coral issues

AcroNem · Aug 21, 2018

Well, glasscages is a little annoying. Took a bit to get my order status and they don't seem like they enjoy talking to you. But anyway, the tanks are finished and will be taken to the airport "sometime this week". So not much of an update there. But they're done, I'm sure they'll be shipped someday.

AcroNem · Aug 22, 2018

Got an e-mail from glasscages just barely. The message in its entirety said "these shipped yesterday".... seriously not happy with these guys. Anyway, when I get an airbill number I'll be picking them up and I can actually get started

AcroNem · Aug 22, 2018

TANKS ARE HERE. Got them on the rack but then had to run to work real fast. Maybe I can drill them tonight if I'm lucky.

AcroNem · Aug 22, 2018

The rocks look great. This whole thing is going to be interesting seeing as the tanks are only 6" deep, probably only going to have 5" of water if I don't screw up the plumbing. But those problems are to come. Here are the rocks. 20lbs.

DangerDave · Sep 1, 2018

How’s it coming along? I’m considering doing a rfa breeder myself. I installed a new frag tank, and have a newly freed up 18x18x10 that’s plumbed to my main system I’m thinking of using.

AcroNem · Sep 7, 2018

DangerDave said:
How’s it coming along? I’m considering doing a rfa breeder myself. I installed a new frag tank, and have a newly freed up 18x18x10 that’s plumbed to my main system I’m thinking of using.

That's great, do it!

Things are coming along slowly. I decided to isolate the tanks, so it will be a little more difficult but oh well.
I painted the backs and two sides black, I like how sleek and clean they look.

got water in them and they're now cycling. I don't like the dry rock, so I'll add a couple pieces of live to get things seeded a little more how I want them.

Doesn't take much flow to get things really moving in these systems, for now I'll leave them a little higher but bring them down a little once livestock starts going in. I'll also be adding sand to the bottom system today, which will be for the young anemones.

As for lighting, I'll be going with LED, and I'll likely order them this week. Thanks for following along!

DangerDave · Sep 7, 2018

@AcroNem Nice to see the progress. I have now 17 nems in the tank. They're still setting in, but man are they pretty... Do you have any tips, or good places to learn how to get them to breed?

DangerDave · Sep 7, 2018

I just found this, it may be helpful....

http://www.reefhobbyistmagazine.com/magazine-tiled-q2-2015-26.html

AcroNem · Sep 7, 2018

And now there's sand in the nursery system. Mmm milky.

And @DangerDave that's sweet! You're welcome to post a pic here I'd love to see them. As for inducing spawning I've found no good paper that gives a for sure way. I did read that same magazine when it came out, it initially got me interested

Stability helps a lot, some say mimicking a lunar cycle is key, but that's pretty much been shown false as well. So keep them well fed in a stable system and when they're mature they'll spawn.

AcroNem · Sep 17, 2018

things are looking good! I'm cycling it pretty strong due to the load I'm planning on having, but should only be a week or two more. I only had time to snap one pic this morning and it's one of the lights that arrived this morning. Had to go to work didn't even have time to turn it on. They should work perfectly on these shallow systems. I'll update more after work when I've got them installed.

Dsnakes · Oct 4, 2018

How’s the system doing @AcroNem ? Looks like a nice setup!

NU2REEFIN · Oct 4, 2018

I have had pretty good luck with my SPS dominant tank. I do have to remove them and put them in this Nem Box but it’s working. The mortality rate if you don’t segregate them and spot feed is very very high in my experience.

AcroNem · Oct 5, 2018

NU2REEFIN said:
I have had pretty good luck with my SPS dominant tank. I do have to remove them and put them in this Nem Box but it’s working. The mortality rate if you don’t segregate them and spot feed is very very high in my experience.

Those look great! And you're correct about mortality rate. They do best if in their own system or area within a system where they can't get lost, preyed upon or damaged and if they're fed frequently. In my last breeding system I would feed the young every 2 days.

Zeal · Oct 5, 2018

How were you able to tell male from female? Pure luck?

AcroNem · Oct 5, 2018

Zeal said:
How were you able to tell male from female? Pure luck?

You can't just by looking, but can see males from females when you catch them spawning. So if trying to breed them, getting a group is necessary.

Zeal · Oct 5, 2018

AcroNem said:
You can't just by looking, but can see males from females when you catch them spawning. So if trying to breed them, getting a group is necessary.

in other words... luck...

Geebs19 · Oct 5, 2018

In for this one! So cool!

mmw64 · Oct 5, 2018

AcroNem said:
It's about time I did this, and it's been on my mind for some time as I've discussed my past breeding success with some of you. With my recent move it's left me with only remnants of my display and no projects. That won't do.

So here we go, my official Epicystis crucifer breeding system.

I'm going to be using two smaller, shallow tanks that I'll likely plumb together. One for adults and one for growing out young. I wanted a smaller size so I could have a large population of adults close together to ensure highest probability of sperm capture by females. I'm thinking 20 or 30 adults in the breeding group to start.

Filtration will be simple. The system will be on shelves so I'm thinking on having water flow from top tank, to second tank, to sump, then back up to the top. It will have a slow flow through to keep everything suspended for longer. What will be in the sump is still being decided.

Lighting has been, and always is my most difficult decision. If I could put halides over them I would, as my best breeding success with them was in a system lit by a 20,000k Radium. But sadly that won't work with these. I'm leaning heavily towards LED, but T5's are still a possibility. We'll see.

I'm very excited to finally have this starting, I'll keep you all updated on progress in the coming days.

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