Anem time?

[Reefing Runners]

My tank has been up and running for about 2 months now, i am waitong on a pair of picasso clowns whihc i should receive next week. Before i add the clowns i would like to get a nem for them, what are your thoughts? too soon? all water params r on point and everything is doing great!

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

If you've REALLY done your research, I'd say give a small BTA a shot

what are you using for filtration/flow/LIGHTING?

 

[SuperNerd]

IMO unless you have a very large tank an anemone will just take up too much room, eventually pester surrounding corals, might divide to the point of taking over the tank and bug the heck out of you when it decides to move to a nicer spot. Clowns will host almost anything that is soft and wavy and even things that look just out of place. Xenia, toadstools, frogspawn and other lps...even ceramic pots and powerheads have all been noted to "host" clowns. Besides, not all anemones are easier to keep than corals.

The reason people say to wait until you start keeping corals and anemones is because it gives you time to learn how to maintain the parameters (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php).

 

[Reefing Runners]

I have def done my research, this is not my first tank, i also have a 125 gallon reef that has been up for about 3 years now. I am running a sunpod 250 watt hqi and current 4x54 watt t5 ho 2- act - 2 daylight. I am running a proclear sump for 125 built in skimmer . driving it is a 9.5 mag drive and intank are 2 hydor # 2's (600 gph).

 

[douglam]

DO IT. make sure the nem is atleast twice the size of the clowns with a pair i would say like 5 or 6 inches.

 

[SuperNerd]

Well if you know what you're doing then get it. They should technically outlive you or me in the right conditions.

 

[DetectiveTofu]

If you want to be safe, you can always add the anemone to the tank first to give it a little time to acclimate to the tank. While it is acclimating, I doubt the anemone will want two clowns bothering it. But that is providing the two clowns decide to host immediately (if ever).
FWIW, I added my anemone and clowns at the same time, and I had no problems. My anemone was captive bred, so that may have contributed to it's success.

 

[Reefing Runners]

Ordered a gorgeous RBTA from live aquaria divers den lastnight. ( so excited) and yes, the plan is to have the nem b4 the clowns so it can get settled for a few days. ill post pics as soon as they both arrive! Ty all for the great info!

 

[captainobvious]

awesome. I'm sure you'll love your new nem. I'm sure you probably know this already, but its worth mentioning that your anemone could take a week or two to fully adjust to your water, flow, and lighting conditions. The first few days you need to be very careful and watchful as the anemone is searching for his own optimal spot that he likes. They can end up being sucked into a powerhead which is unfortunate (happened to my first one)

You can always wrap a thin filter foam around your powerheads to avoid him getting sucked in if you are worried about it.
Good luck and make sure we get to see some pics of both the picasso's and the RBTA!

 

[SuperNerd]

Since it's a rose maybe this will be helpful. http://www.karensroseanemones.com/