Rose Bubble Tip/Percula Clown

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Hey everyone! As I've said a few times before, I was hired at my local Pet World. They have a rose bubble tip and a percula clown for sale - $60 for ten together. The clown is already being hosted by the anemone, and it's a really nice looking Percula. I'm not familiar with the different morphs of clowns, but it's pretty cool looking.

I'm not entirely sure how long they'll have it in stock, but I've been thinking about starting a new saltwater - new everything. I've been looking into the Fluval Evo 13.5g, but do you think the lights are good enough for a bubble tip anemone?

Thanks everyone!

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Also do you think that's a good deal? I think there's an employee discount, but I'll have to see when I get trained. Just got told I have the job and it's my first!

Maritimer · Dec 3, 2017

First off, congratulations on your shiny new first job!

I don't know whether that stock fixture is strong enough for a BTA - though it did look like it ought to be good enough for lower-light corals, anyway . . . Is anyone on the #reefsquad familiar with the stock lighting on the Fluval Evo 13.5?

~Bruce

Idoc · Dec 3, 2017

Everything I've read says not to add an anenome to a new system until the tank is established for at least 6-12 months. I wouldn't impulse buy... clowns and anenomes are everywhere for when you are ready for them.

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Idoc said:
Everything I've read says not to add an anenome to a new system until the tank is established for at least 6-12 months. I wouldn't impulse buy... clowns and anenomes are everywhere for when you are ready for them.

If I don't end up taking the deal (I'm about 50/50) if I ended up getting one once my new tank is established, thoughts on the light?

I also have Coralife duel T5s, one actinic and 1 10000k, if they would be better than the Fluval stock light.

I just wanna add that I'm still debating whether or not to redo everything. After my heater crash I just feel like starting over and this is a nice opportunity. If I didn't end up resetting everything, just the lighting/fish/coral stock (so keeping filter media, sand, rock, and water - I know "cycled" water isn't as important as other aspects of a tank) will it then be suitable for the tank? I kinda wanna take this deal but don't want to impulse, like you said.

Maritimer · Dec 3, 2017

How long has the coral / filter media / liverock been in your existing tank? If it's mature and stable, you _might_ be able to get away with the anemone. (Or possibly not - Idoc's got a very good point about anemones and a mature system.)

There may not be anyone who's posted information about the "lux" or "PAR" that light delivers into the tank - because there may not be very many folks who've used it. If you have access to the light, I think you might be able to download a "Lux Meter" app to your phone, to measure the light's output.

~Bruce

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Maritimer said:
How long has the coral / filter media / liverock been in your existing tank? If it's mature and stable, you _might_ be able to get away with the anemone. (Or possibly not - Idoc's got a very good point about anemones and a mature system.)

There may not be anyone who's posted information about the "lux" or "PAR" that light delivers into the tank - because there may not be very many folks who've used it. If you have access to the light, I think you might be able to download a "Lux Meter" app to your phone, to measure the light's output.

~Bruce

I've had the tank for a little over 6 months. I used some live rock from a friend, live sand, and live rock from a LFS. My filter is a simple 20g hang on back filter and I should be taking the media out to rinse off with tank water during my water change this Friday, so I've had it almost a month in there.

Maritimer · Dec 3, 2017

Six months is just about where most folks would begin to entertain the notion of thinking about shopping for an anemone. (They might not actually purchase one for another six months or so...)

~Bruce

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Maritimer said:
Six months is just about where most folks would begin to entertain the notion of thinking about shopping for an anemone. (They might not actually purchase one for another six months or so...)

~Bruce

Hmm. I think I'll get the clown/anemone and then move em in after a month with the new tank set up. Thanks so much for all the help - really appreciate it. I also just read that someone keeps their Fluval stocked with a ton of coral and they do well. I doubt it's as good as they say it is, but I'm really considering it!

DSC reef · Dec 3, 2017

The stock lighting on the fluval won't support the BTA long term. We upgraded my mother's fluval with the current marine led light and that works well. Remember, good deals on livestock come around often so don't rush.

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

DSC reef said:
The stock lighting on the fluval won't support the BTA long term. We upgraded my mother's fluval with the current marine led light and that works well. Remember, good deals on livestock come around often so don't rush.

Yeah, I've actually been thinking it's a long tip anemone but not sure. Doesn't really look like a bta, honestly. It's labeled Bubble tip anemone and is usually behind a rock so never got a good look. Now that I went today (after I posted this forum) it looks like a different kind.

Any idea? Here's a pic for this post.

(video on my Instagram @reeftank20g)

kinetic · Dec 3, 2017

It doesn't matter how long your tank has been up, you just need absolute stability. That can be achieved in a couple months even.

I'm pretty sure that is a BTA, but it is very bleached and not in great condition. It needs way better light most likely. I give my BTA's about 300 PAR worth of light, and my h. magnifica 400+.

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

kinetic said:
It doesn't matter how long your tank has been up, you just need absolute stability. That can be achieved in a couple months even.

I'm pretty sure that is a BTA, but it is very bleached and not in great condition. It needs way better light most likely. I give my BTA's about 300 PAR worth of light, and my h. magnifica 400+.

Huh, I guess I'll just take the clown for 45. Thanks!

DSC reef · Dec 3, 2017

Here's the bubble tips we set up for my mom. It's in the fluval and then have gotten very colorful going on 9 months I believe. This is with the current orbit led

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

DSC reef said:
Here's the bubble tips we set up for my mom. It's in the fluval and then have gotten very colorful going on 9 months I believe. This is with the current orbit led

That's so cool! I might just pick up the clown and get an anemone I know I can support.

Zack K · Dec 3, 2017

Here is my BTA’s. l have 2, 8”+ And they are in that 250-400 Par range like @kinetic has mentioned. l also agree that the anemone in the picture wasn’t looking so hot. Definitely bleaching out.

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Zack Klabunde said:
Here is my BTA’s. l have 2, 8”+ And they are in that 250-400 Par range like @kinetic has mentioned. l also agree that the anemone in the picture wasn’t looking so hot. Definitely bleaching out.

So you guys think it is a bubble?

Bonfish · Dec 3, 2017

Yes absolutely is.

Pittsford_Pets · Dec 3, 2017

Bonfish said:
Yes absolutely is.

How do you suggest I nurse it back to health?

Maritimer · Dec 3, 2017

Honestly?

For your first anemone, I'd recommend starting with a healthy one. If you absolutely, positively _have_ to have a go with a bleached anemone, acclimate it to appropriate lighting levels, keep your water in tip-top shape, and feed it well until it can build those zooxanthellae back up.

~Bruce, who remembers trying to be patient as a teen ... and how very, very hard it was. (Still is difficult, when it comes to reef-stuff . . . )