Water parameters for an anemone only tank

[Terri Caton]

Any of you who have an anemone only tank, can you tell me what water parameters to shoot for?
Right now mine are:
Alk 14.1
Phos 0.01
Nitrate 0.5
Temp 77
pH 7.9
Salinity 35

Haven't checked Ca or Mg today but I can if it makes a difference.

There is only one H. Malu anemone in the tank so far.
I'm only target feeding the anemone so...a little confused what to do about the Alk? Is 14 ok for anemones?

@OrionN
@Randy Holmes-Farley

Thanks!

 

[Terri Caton]

Doesn't anyone know the answer?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

#reefsquad

 

[Terri Caton]

I figured it out for myself. Lowered the Nitrates some recently so the Alk rose higher.

 

[Tahoe61]

Shoot for the values of NSW. That alk is too high and I would not be surprised if the Cal is on the lower side.
If the alk level is not from dosing, than I would try IO salt.

 

[amazongb]

I have seven Nems in one tank, water params are on the dirty side and they love it.

Nitrate 15
Phosphates .15
Alk 7
Ca 400
Mag 1410

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

From the parameters you posted, everything is good except ALK. You may want to test for iodide as well. Try to shoot for anything between 0.03 and 0.06 ppm.

 

[CuzzA]

Any of you who have an anemone only tank, can you tell me what water parameters to shoot for?
Right now mine are:
Alk 14.1
Phos 0.01
Nitrate 0.5
Temp 77
pH 7.9
Salinity 35

Haven't checked Ca or Mg today but I can if it makes a difference.

There is only one H. Malu anemone in the tank so far.
I'm only target feeding the anemone so...a little confused what to do about the Alk? Is 14 ok for anemones?

@OrionN
@Randy Holmes-Farley

Thanks!

Alk is nearly double natural seawater so water changes should be in order. I have no experience with H. Malu, but it's my understanding they need a deep sand bed. Like six to eight inches to bury themselves up to the oral disc, and they are a shallow lagoon species so I would think 77° is on the low side for them to thrive. I'd probably try to bring the temp up slowly to 80°. Good luck. Post a pic.

 

[Terri Caton]

I used NoPox to reduce Nitrates and Phosphates that were hanging too high. It worked too well even with only a small dose for a few days! Now they are down to almost nothing.
I think it was the rapid decrease in those values that led to the higher Alk but will keep an eye on them (and not continue to dose obviously).

The Alk before dosing was 9.1
The Nitrates were 20 before dosing. So a fast decrease.

I've never had a tank without fish and coral so this is different. No broadcast feedings. Trying to get the hang of parameters in this kind of tank.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Not a parameter answer, but i would shoot I
aquacultered and not maricultured or wild specimens . Will be less susceptible to small fluctuations.

 

[Terri Caton]

I have seven Nems in one tank, water params are on the dirty side and they love it.

Nitrate 15
Phosphates .15
Alk 7
Ca 400
Mag 1410

Do you have to dose Ca and Mg? Or do you just control with water changes?

 

[Terri Caton]

Not a parameter answer, but i would shoot I
aquacultered and not maricultured or wild specimens . Will be less susceptible to small fluctuations.

Yea, I know. I got a pair of rose colored Skunk Clowns that are wild and thought I'd get an anemone they'd like, lol. It's still alive though so that's something!

Clowns are in my larger tank for now so they won't molest it.

 

[amazongb]

Do you have to dose Ca and Mg? Or do you just control with water changes?

Just water changes.. it’s a nem only tank, so alk, ca, mag don’t change much if it all.. i do a 20% water change every two weeks..

 

[Terri Caton]

Alk is nearly double natural seawater so water changes should be in order. I have no experience with H. Malu, but it's my understanding they need a deep sand bed. Like six to eight inches to bury themselves up to the oral disc, and they are a shallow lagoon species so I would think 77° is on the low side for them to thrive. I'd probably try to bring the temp up slowly to 80°. Good luck. Post a pic.

Just got a new heater and controller for that tank so slowly raising the temp.

It is on a sand bed of about 3-4 " and has it's foot tucked into a rock.

 

[Terri Caton]

Just checked Ca it is 426