50g Cube species tank (A. Percula, Magnifica or Gigantea)

[illcssd]

Starting my build thread for advice and suggestions for my next setup. I pick up the aquarium/lighting tomorrow, and will go from there.

Aquarium: 50g cube, 24x24x20"

Lighting: 24" SunPod 1 250w mh and lunar lights.

Skimmer: Tunze 9005 most likely.

Flow: This is where i haven't quite decided. The cube shape provides a little more of a challenge than I have dealt with. Debating closed loop through the bottom, or 2 vortech or tunze on either side of the overflow. Or something else? Ideas.

Other filtration: Planning on running GFO and Biopellets.


Livestock: This is going to be a dedicated system, so livestock will be 2 Percula's and 1 either Gigantea, or Magnifica. They both thrive under the same relative conditions in my experience, and I have kept both successfully long term. With considerations towards the maximum size each species can grow, I believe that the cube should be enough space, given they're the only inhabitant.
The only determining factor between either anemone will be the health and color of whichever I find. I know and have experienced the challenges of finding healthy Gigantea and Magnifica, and even having quite a few wholesale/importer contacts, it's still a challenge.
If I do get a Gigantea, I plan on getting a smaller one, as they adapt to the aquarium life quicker than a more mature anemone.

I have my clowns holding for me, which are a wild caught pair of onyx Perc's, but those are going to be out of reach until I have the anemone established in the aquarium.

Questions, comments, suggestions?

 

[MelloW33]

Very nice! I've been trying to find the right pair of wild Onyx for a while now.

 

[garygb]

In a dedicated system like yours, I would say either species (gig or magnifica) should be fine. Eventually they may touch the tank walls, but that isn't any reason not to get either species.

 

[illcssd]

Very nice! I've been trying to find the right pair of wild Onyx for a while now.

You need to talk to a trustworthy Lfs that has good contacts and knows what they're doing. Tell them what you want, and how much you're willing to pay, and just have them look for you.

In a dedicated system like yours, I would say either species (gig or magnifica) should be fine. Eventually they may touch the tank walls, but that isn't any reason not to get either species.

I'm sure either could take up the entire tank, which is why I am dedicating the whole thing to him. At this point I am leaning to Magnifica, as they naturally split on occasion and would hopefully split before outgrowing the tank, though I personally like the look of the Gigantea better.

Phender, Gary, if you stumble on to this thread, do you have any ideas or guidance for flow?

 

[garygb]

I have magnifica, no gigs, but I can safely say both species appreciate high flow. I would try for something on the order of 30x to 40x turnover. So, for a 50 gallon, 1500 to 2000 gallon/hour. Vortech or Koralias, among others, can be used in combination with your return pump from the sump to achieve the desired flow.

As you know, percs are natural symbionts with both magnifica and gigantea, so I am sure you won't any trouble getting the fish to take to the anemone, whichever species you go with. Perhaps availability and health of the anemone specimen will make the decision of which species to go with easier for you.

 

[LesMartin]

i have a friend who up until recently had a 24" cube housing two giganteas and a pair of clowns. The flow in the tank was provided by a 2000L/hr return pump and a single vortech MP10. This proved to be very adequate.

 

[njudson]

Love the idea. Just setup a cube for a Mag around new years and I am very happy with it. I would do 2 mp10s on either side of the overflow. This was my plan but my 1/2" glass made me go with a single mp40 which is to the left of my center overflow. Creates a left / right high flow / low flow side divide I'm ok with but it isn't ideal.

Also its worth holding out for a pair of clowns you love if this is a dedicated system for them and their nem. I'm a big fan of Sanjay's Photons.

 

[hypnoj]

Love the idea. Just setup a cube for a Mag around new years and I am very happy with it. I would do 2 mp10s on either side of the overflow. This was my plan but my 1/2" glass made me go with a single mp40 which is to the left of my center overflow. Creates a left / right high flow / low flow side divide I'm ok with but it isn't ideal.

Also its worth holding out for a pair of clowns you love if this is a dedicated system for them and their nem. I'm a big fan of Sanjay's Photons.

I know it says you can't use MP10s on half inch glass, but did you try it first? I'm interested to see if anyone has tried it.

 

[njudson]

I know it says you can't use MP10s on half inch glass, but did you try it first? I'm interested to see if anyone has tried it.

Yup tried and failed. Actually traded away the 10s for the 40. Read about plenty of success stories ... tried everything including siliconing the dry sides in place nothing worked for me. Happy with the 40 though just wish I had 2 and dialed em down. maybe after bonuses

 

[Blitzburggirl]

I tried as well on a rimless Glass Cages 24X24X24 60 gallon cube. It chatters for a few seconds, then flys off the glass.

I have a only have a gigantea in mine at the moment. My clowns are currently hosting an LTA and a haddoni in my 180... Breakdown day is coming though, and I'm super excited and hopeful the clowns will take to the gig.. Oddly enough, my gig doesn't like much flow. I just have a MJ1200 that kicks on for a few seconds every hour, to change up the flow from the return, which I think is simply a mag 5. After the 180 is broken down, I plan on putting a MP40 on it, turned way way down, and see how that goes. I'm a bit concerned that it will be too much