30 gal Clown Anem tank

[deez2448]

I want a small DT with a clown pair and a couple anemones or such. A 30 gal will fit in my stand. I was just hoping to use a extra large biowheel HOB filter and a standard flourecent hood. Of course a little gravel or sand and a little liverock for the anemones.

Is this possible or do I need more sophisticated filtration or lighting?

I thought anemones take lots of light but I know the light at the LFS doesn't look all that special.

D

 

[garygb]

Not enough light. The lighting in many fish shops is inadequate for anemones. They only keep them a short time usually, so they often don't spring for the expense of an appropriate setup. Biowheels produce loads of nitrate. In saltwater tanks that is what you're trying not to do. Protein skimming and the use of activated carbon, along with frequent water changes is the best way to keep your water quality up to par for an anemone.

A minimum of PC lighting, but preferably t-5 or metal halide lighting for anemones. 30 gallon tanks are okay to keep anemones, but don't plan on having too much else besides the anemone and a pair of clowns. If you decide to keep an anemone, do your research. Of the host species, bulb or bubble tip/tentacle anemones (BTAs) are hardy and about as close to a beginner anemone as one can find of the host species.

 

[deez2448]

TY for the reply.

I was going to target the more simple, hardy spiecies of anemone. With the hopes of moving up to a larger anemone display maybe.

So a HOB skimmer and a canister filter will do it? I imagine a power head also.

For the lighting a T-5 with a Actinic and a 10,000K?


sry for the easy ?'s. I am a noob but I do have a reef/fish system and a brother with 10+ yr of experience. Unfourtunatly he is not the internet research type and obviously he doesn't know everything.

TY again
D

 

[ocellaris123]

The HOB skimmer will do it, but I personally would ditch the canister. I would say you illumination is still inadequate for any hosting anemone species, and your options are pretty limited to E. quadricolor, or maybe even H. malu for a 30 gallon aquarium. Which protein skimmer are you looking into getting btw?

 

[garygb]

If you go with something like a 4 bulb t-5 fixture, individual reflectors and good quality bulbs, you will have plenty of light for an anemone. Yes a HOB protein skimmer would be fine. I've had a few, I have an Eshopps and I like it. You can inquire on the equipment forum regarding the best HOB for your budget. With your experience you should be fine with a BTA. You can often find tank propagated BTAs, which tend to be very hardy. You asked about actinic, don't waste your time with it. If you want blue with a t-5 system, get something like aquablue plus, they look blue and they have a high PAR rating. True actinic is next to nothing PAR wise. I suggest you go to the t-5 thread on the Lighting and Equipment Forum on RC. The GrimReefer is very knowledgeable about lighting and if you post a question either he or one of the other knowledgeable contributors to that forum will help you out. BTW, is this a 30 long (as in 36 inches in length) or is it a 29 (sometimes called a 30 tall)? In either case, a 4 bulb t-5 with individual reflectors (and that makes a big difference in intensity), would be perfect for a BTA.

 

[ocellaris123]

I would look into the octopus brand for hang on skimmers. I currently have a BH2000 and the thing really does a good job at pulling out waste, plus it is affordable at $180. Your probably going too need to spend at least $300 on equipment in order to keep a 30-40 dollar bubble anemone in a proper setup.

 

[deez2448]

Thanks for the info guys.

I don't have a tank yet. Was looking at a great deal on craigs list. I am not sure what tank the guy has yet (30 or 29) but I think it is the 29. I assume that was asked because of the height difference and the in regard to the lighting discussion and water depth of penetration of T-5's.

I am really in the conceptual stage and can go whatever direction I need. If I am going to have to invest for good equipment and not "tropical fish stuff" off craigs list I will probably buy a new tank. So that leaves the door open for design/set-up. I figured this would be the case. I just have someone with Marine experience telling me "oh the HOB biowheel will be fine" I didn't think so!

The desire comes from loving clown fish and watching them host. Anemones are cool too. I have seen some awesome tanks on hear. Unfourtunatly I don't want one in my reef tank because of the possibility/probability that it will kill corals.

One last ?; Is a protien skimmer enough filtration or do I need something else? I wasn't clear in the earlier discussion. If I need something else what should I use? Is a refusium needed. Or a canister filter or something else?

Thanks again for the input I am going to do more research and planning.

D

 

[garygb]

Activated carbon is important, and perhaps purigen or a resin. Powerfilters are useful to run activated carbon, the biowheel or media to provide biological filtration is not needed.