Anemone tank

[Ron Reefman]

I have a 180g reef and sharing the same 120g sump is an 85g hexagon tank that I was considering making a seahorse tank. But seahorses do better in water that is 5-8 degrees cooler than the reef and they need to be 'over fed' and just dirty the entire system. So I'm considering an anemone tank instead.

I have 2 RBTA, 3 Rock Flowers, 2 Condys and 4 Corallimorphs in the reef now. They are grouped together by species and each group is given lots of room from the other species. But in the 85g tank I'm thinking close encounters between all kinds of anemonies. Anybody see a problem here? Are there any anemonies I shouldn't consider?

I intend to move all but 1 RBTA from the reef to the 85g tank (the 'A' tank). I'd also like to add a GBTA, at least 1 or 2 LTA, a couple of tube anemonies and a hand full of Maxi Mini anemonies. I have a good size Tomato clown in the reef that I'll move to the A tank and I'd add a juvenile Tomato or Cinnimon clown to get a mating pair. She had a mate and they hosted in both the RBTA and a Condy. I'd like to add a 2nd pair but it's only an 85g tank. Is it too small? The Tomato clown has been a bit aggressive in the reef tank to a Percula clown I already have.

Any ideas, suggestions or comments are welcome.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I personally am not a fan of mixing anemone species -- color morphs of the same species are fine, however. I have tried it in the past and have back luck with it.

JMO/IME - more then one pair of clowns per clowns doesn't work. It may work in the short term, but if one of the pairs starts to spawn they will not take kindly to any other clown(s).

 

[Ron Reefman]

Todd,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still inclined to try the mixed species and if I find one that is too strong or too weak, I can move it to the reef. But I did read today that tube anemonies pack a stronger punch and I probably won't try one of them. Too bad, they can be very pretty.

As for the clowns, I don't thing more than a mated pair, or a mated pair with a few juveniles of the same species is on the agenda.

Thanks. Any other opinions or ideas?

 

[2Addicted]

Any other opinions or ideas?

I also do not like to mix species of anemones.

 

[rayn]

Only way I seen or heard of them mixed is with each their own island of sorts. Then maybe a powerhead blowing straight down the middle to discourage wandering over to the other side.

 

[2Addicted]

Only way I seen or heard of them mixed is with each their own island of sorts. Then maybe a powerhead blowing straight down the middle to discourage wandering over to the other side.

That only solves half of the problems that could come up. Chemical warfare is the main concern