Anemone Thoughts...

[ImprezaSTi]

I want to buy an anemone so my clowns can host in it, but before I do that I need to do some research.

How does everyone on here prevent your anemones from stinging other corals? I have read about how some people had their anemone walk across the tank and kill half of their corals, but obviously many people still keep anemones with many other corals, how does everyone do this?

Also, how can you prevent the anemone from getting sucked into the powerhead? I was quite surprised when I saw the anemone at the LFS stuck to the side glass. The LFS told me to wrap sponge around my powerhead... which is something that I have not seen other reefers do.

These are the only two factors preventing me from buying an anemone. Hope you can help me.

 

[dalilgriffith]

For corals, its always a good idea to place an anemone in the tank without corals first to see where the anemone will rest. You probably cannot do this. What I would do then is try to position the power head in such a manner that the anemone does not move towards the corals. Anemones love flow and light. Give them than and you wont have to worry about stinging your corals. If you have a QT tank you can move your corals to, DO THAT while the Anemone gets it bearings in the tank. If you have a powerhead, use a pre-filter. You can also use a wedding veil +correct spelling. A pre-filter or sponge would be ideal. I have a Hydor Koralia 2 in my tank and I have no problems with my anemone getting close to it. I would suggest a GBTA or a RBTA, they tend to stay still once you let them in the tank. If they move continously, move some LR around in several configurations until it stops. It may not like your Rockscape. Anything else i can answer for ya, let me know.


PS: you best get a book about anemones. I didn't and I paid for it in experience. I have been through 10+ anemones before I got there upkeep techniques down to a science.

Ok, another tangent:

One thing you have to realize when purchasing an anemone is that they are and aren't corals. You cannot just go out and purchase a definitive tell-all book about anemones and expect to know every little thing about their care. If your anemone dies, dont worry. Try to evaluate the situation that caused its death. Like for example, I accidentally dropped a peice of LR into the sandbed and it broke the bacteria membrane and almost killed all my fish and anemones. I saved the fish but the anemone did not make it. All is unfortunate but Anemones are not well documented so "Learn from your mistakes" but RTFM first.

#EOF

 

[ImprezaSTi]

Thanks for your reply.

The powerhead problem, I guess, is an easy solution, now the only problem is the anemone stinging other corals.

Unfortunately I do not have a QT or sump to put other corals in. But most of the corals are only frags, so I could setup a QT with a bucket if needed.

Isn't this kind of risky even after the anemone has stopped moving? I mean... you never know when it will move again and you risk the life of all your corals.

 

[rssjsb]

It's good that you're thinking things through.

Speaking as someone who has kept anemones in tanks with corals, I'll tell you it's a risk. While rock-based anemones like BTAs will mostly stay put when they're happy, you cannot keep them from moving around. It's particularly a problem with sps, which encrust and cannot be moved away from a restless anemone. I learned that the hard way.

If you've got sps, you may be better off with a sand-dwelling species like a long-tentacle anemone. Those guys can move too, but you might have more luck moving your sand-based corals out of the way.

As for powerheads, it is critical to put something around them to keep the anemone out. As you saw, nems can crawl up glass and right into a powerhead. They can also let go of the rock altogether and float right into the powerhead. I think your LFS is right, many people use thin pre-filter type sponges over their phs.

I have a less casual view than dalilgriffith about losing anemones (or any other animal in my care). I think it's ok (and actually useful) to feel awful under those circumstances, especially if it was preventable. It's a big responsibility. However, I think our bottom line is the same - read read read and think carefully before you add an anemone to your setup.

Fortunately, you seem to be doing just that. Good luck!

 

[GSMguy]

OT,

what year is your STI?

 

[Aaarrrggg]

http://www.karensroseanemones.com/
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/bubbletipanemones.htm

^^^ Awesome info here ^^^

 

[ImprezaSTi]

Thanks for all the info everyone. After reading a lot and looking at other peoples tanks, I've decided to give up on the anemone for all the other corals that I am planning to keep.

OT,
what year is your STI?

05