Anemone and A clown...in 16 gallons - Possible?

[NFRs2000NYC]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post, so I apologize if I step on a toe or 3. I promise to learn as I go. I have read for quite some time, but can't really find what I am looking for, so I figured I'd ask.

I am looking into getting a Biorb (16 gallons) for my living room as decoration. I have no problem devoting time and maintenance to this, as I find tank keeping soothing.

I was wondering if it's possible to have 1 anemone and a few clownfish in a 16 gallon biorb? Is it "doable" or is it pretty easy? I don't really want to experiment for 14 years to try and get it to work. I have no experience with salt water tanks, only fresh, but I do have time, patience, and am eager to learn.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Toddrtrex]

[welcome]

Personally I wouldn't try it in that tank -- if memory serves on what those tanks are like. Besides the water volume/quality issues, think you would have a hard time getting enough light.

Plus, with you having no experience with salt water think it would be a big uphill battle to attempt an anemone. In fact, I would actually try to consider a different tank -- those are more for fresh water -- with the shape/design.

 

[ChicagoReefOne]

Personally I wouldn't try it in that tank -- if memory serves on what those tanks are like. Besides the water volume/quality issues, think you would have a hard time getting enough light.

Plus, with you having no experience with salt water think it would be a big uphill battle to attempt an anemone. In fact, I would actually try to consider a different tank -- those are more for fresh water -- with the shape/design.

+1 on this, not to be a downer, but realistically I think that you'd have a real tough time with this particular tank, especially with water flow. Anemones also require very stable parameters and a very established tank, people usually get a 'nem at 1 year. A small tank is subject to big fluctuations (as there is less water volume) and being that you haven't started the tank yet, a 'nem should be thought about but not yet even considered.

+1 for you :beer:, and reading up on something you want to invest time and money in, not to mention care for living animals! Good job! I feel like a lot of people could save themselves time and heartbreak by doing the same.

Have you looked into biocube aquariums? They have a similar "clean" look and you can mod them to do whatever you like or just use them as they are. You could easily keep clowns and anemones in one once you had it all set up and matured.

 

[mykil]

I knew a guy in oakland that ran a 12 gal. nano w/a pair of gold stripe maroons. while anything is certainly possible, it might be best to err on the side of caution and set up your tank, let it run for a bit and start w/some " more forgiving" animals.
best of luck regardless and enjoy the hobby!!

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

I knew I would get solid advice here. Thanks a ton for the help. I will keep reading, and post up when I have a question. All the best guys!

 

[Tripel_Hornet]

its certaintly doable, tight but doable. if i were you and you can afford it i would get a slightly bigger tank like a 24 or 28 gal if you can afford it. there is also some other retailers on the web that make retro kits for certain nanos that work great. if you want to keep a nem happy and healthy then the lighting is key for you. if you are gonna stay with the 12g nano, i would look into getting a 70mh clamp on light or retro your hood to fit it in there. PC lights will work for a while, but your nem will suffer eventually.
i have a 24g nano with a 150mh light on it and when i got my 4'rbta a year ago it was only 4" and now it was over 12" before it split, and it split again. so i got 3 nems in my tank now.
i know alot of people are downers on smaller tanks and nems, and their concern is well warranted. if you do your homework on what you want, i dont think you will have a problem. you are 50% above the grade already by asking first before you buy. most buy then come here to ask what they did wrong and either end up killing a creature(s) or taking it back to the store.
bubble tips are pretty hardy to use as a first nem if you go that direction. i read some go thru hell an back with tank crashes, and whatever else could go wrong.
do your homework, ask questions and then you'll be ready for your purchase.

good luck

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

I think after careful reading, that I don't seem to be able to comfortably do this. I was fine with getting a bigger tank (was going to get a 29 gallon biocube) but it seems that out of the box they are not good enough, and honestly, I am not THAT into this hobby to warrant spending this amount of money. As much as I love the idea of reefkeeping, I already have 2 expensive hobbies (photography and cars) and those two eat a lot of my money . Another hobby like that, and my wife will throw me into the fish tank.

I honestly am looking for a good (sub $1000) tank with ALL THE FIXIN's that can comfortably have a few anems and coral, and a few clowns, with 3-4 waterchanges a month, and no insane daily maintenance (10 minutes per day of attention TOPS).

Now that you all read that, possible? Any tank setups you all can advise me on, so that I can have it shipped, stick it in my living room, and go?

 

[Toddrtrex]

It is very possible to get a nice set up for under $1,000. I don't know the exact numbers, but I know that the whole set up for my 33 cube was under that. It helped that I bought the tank and stand from a local reefer.

However, if you are really limited on time, it might not be all that easy. Sure there are some weeks/months were my tanks take very little of my time (( excluding just looking at them )). But, then there are times when I need to devote large amounts of time to it.

 

[bues0022]

+1 Todd. The time comes in waves. Looking for used equipment from local reefers can save you a lot of money too! I don't know if NYC is like Chicago, but there are a lot of used setups for sale lately.