Need Anemone Advice

[Banks]

I wanted to get a pet for my three year old and since my wife is alergic to anything with fur I thought fish might be nice so I started researching fish.

That's when it all started!!!!!!

Once I started looking at saltwater fish and the whole eco system required to support it I was hooked. I love the whole (somewhat) self sustaining environment and have fallen hook, line and sinker. Anyway, two weeks ago while my wife was out of town (this is what happens when she leaves) I bought a complete eclipse 12 gallon tank ($40) and a 38 gallon tank with stand, light, HOB filter, pair of clowns, yellow tang, lawnmower blennie (love that name) and a couple of hermits ($160).

I have not killed anything yet and in fact all seems relatively well, amonia is 0, Nitrites are .75ppm down from 5 and Nitrates are 50 down from 80. I'll be picking up a RO/DI filter and CF light from a coulpe of folks on this fabulos forum, last week I bought 2 five gallon buckets full of live rock from another BRS member and have played with using seawater for water changes as I live a couple of hundred yards from the beach in Swampscott, MA.

And go figure, my wife is quite enjoying the new aquariums and is evern interested in getting some coral.

So my question is, I would like to get an Anemone for my clowns but have read that some are hardier than others. As I am new to this I am looking for advice as to which Anemone would be the best to start with.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Andy O]

How long has the tank been running. I would only add an anemone if your system has been established for a while. That being said, BTA's are pretty good, but it is important to remember that there is no guarantee that your clowns will take to the anemone. My guess is that you will have better luck if your clowns are true percs vs. false percs.

 

[~Flighty~]

There are some tan BTAs that have split over and over in peoples tanks that are about as hearty as you can get for normally delicate critters like anemones. I wouldn't recommend trying a store bought anemone if the tank is relatively new, but the tank raised tan ones are cheap and relatively bulletproof. When they grow large have a clown hosted they can really look great.

Try posting in the want to buy secton, I bet you can find someone looking to sell.

 

[marine mike]

My suggestions would be first get the water parameters a little more stable, the nitrates are on the high side for a reef tank, you want the nitrate as close to zero as possible but I would say at least under 15 or so. Echo responses from others as far as maturity in the tank first, but I added my bta quite early with no issues so you might be ok. Lighting must be high as they love all they can get. I would avoid the usage of seawater from Swampscott or anywhere else around here unless you can get well offshore to get it, as there are too many pollutants near shore. Stick to the RO water with a good quality salt mix, this could have a great impact on the nitrates. That being said, my clown (a maroon) took to my bta in about an hour and hasn't left since. I would say a pacific anemone (like a bta of some sort) is your best shot at getting the hosting process going. They must have very good water quality and good lighting though or they won't be happy. good luck and I hope this helps!

Mike

 

[Banks]

Thanks for all the advice.

I realize I need the chemistry to settle down a bit before I could put the more difficult life forms in but I wanted to be well versed in what I would be best before I purchase so I will be ready when the time comes.

The reaserch is almost as fun as the practicle application. Almost!!

Thanks again.

 

[JayM]

I'd really follow Cindy's advice. Tank raised ones are way more tolerant of tank conditions, and you'l have much better luck, as a newbie with a new(er) tank