anemone??

[williamp8974]

So i started my tank exactly one week ago. Its a fluval edge 6gal. (6lbs live rock, 8-10 lbs live sand) 18watt led. Its going to be a reef tank but since its such a small tank im considering putting two (black and white,and regular) occelaris clowns. I would like to put an anemone but have heard soooo many different things. From that I should put it first before anything since they move around. Or that I should wait a month after I put some fish thatll create some bacteria. Or to wait 6 months. Or my tanks too small. Can I have someones advice that has had experience with them. Help is appreciated!

 

[Blinkerbee]

Hey man, welcome to Reef Central!! It's a great place for help.

I too have the 6g fluval edge up and running with 18w LED and two (very small) clowns with some coral. A few things you may already know:

1) Your clowns can't stay in that fluval forever. They will get too big.

2) If your tank is only a week old you need to be patient and wait. I didn't get any corals in my tank until like 8 months. I'm not saying that's what you MUST do... but really, they will need a more mature tank. Research the aquarium "cycle" if you're not already familiar with it.

3) I have thought long and hard about getting an anemone for the tank. I have decided that it's not a good idea. Most anemones can get pretty big, they need a good mature tank with consistent parameters...etc. What I was researching (even tonight) was good anemone substitutions that clowns host (although there is no guarantee your clowns would even host an anemone). What I came up with were (1) Long Polyp Leather, (2) Hairy Mushrooms, (3) Long Tentacled Toadstool, (4) Torch Coral, and (5) Frogspawn. If I were you (and in a lot of ways, I am you)...haha, I would look into a leather or a mushroom.

This small tank poses a lot of difficulties, but it really looks amazing in my opinion. Best advice is take it slow, enjoy the ride, and try to make your "pets" thrive, rather than just survive.

Good luck!

 

[Blinkerbee]

P.S. Let me know if you have any other questions. I probably have already been through the exact same thought process and difficulties. Here is a picture of my tank that might be helpful just to see where I put the powerhead and whatever...

 

[pyithar]

you need to cycle the tank first. 6G is too small for clowns long term. anemones need mature/stable tank. they also needs larger tank as they grow big.

welcome to reef central!

 

[GT350pwns]

Clowns will eventually need to come out of there.

The tank also needs to be about 6 months old and stable to maintain an anemone. There are cases where they have done well in younger tanks, but usually they appreciate a bit of age! This is mainly to protect your investment as many of these critters are not cheap.

I think after the tank is 6 months or so old you may be able to fit a mini maxi or a rock flower nem in the 6 gal. But, that is far too small for any host anemones.

 

[wcarterh]

+1 GT350pwns I put in 3 anemone's before 6 months on my tank, not following recommendations since my parameters had stabilized. The Condi lived, the carpet melted in two days, the BTA (bubble tipped anemone) lived about a month.

 

[billnPS]

6gal is way too small for clownfish (esp. a pair), even for short term. I personally wouldn't put them in anything smaller than a 20gal, but I'd rather be cautious. & it's suggested that anemone need a stable tank at least 6 months old. Drop Sk8r a note in intended fish compatibility thread. She's had decades of reefing experience & will give you good sound suggestions on what's appropriate for a 6gal nano tank. Good luck & welcome to Reef Central!

 

[williamp8974]

Thanks for the advice!
Yes i'm aware the clowns will outgrow the tank. I do plan on getting a bigger tank sometime next year. hopefully before the clowns reach 3 inches lol

also, im considering going for the torch i've seen some clowns that will host it. Probably going to go for that and in the far future go for a nem with a bigger and more mature tank.

Hey man, welcome to Reef Central!! It's a great place for help.

I too have the 6g fluval edge up and running with 18w LED and two (very small) clowns with some coral. A few things you may already know:

1) Your clowns can't stay in that fluval forever. They will get too big.

2) If your tank is only a week old you need to be patient and wait. I didn't get any corals in my tank until like 8 months. I'm not saying that's what you MUST do... but really, they will need a more mature tank. Research the aquarium "cycle" if you're not already familiar with it.

3) I have thought long and hard about getting an anemone for the tank. I have decided that it's not a good idea. Most anemones can get pretty big, they need a good mature tank with consistent parameters...etc. What I was researching (even tonight) was good anemone substitutions that clowns host (although there is no guarantee your clowns would even host an anemone). What I came up with were (1) Long Polyp Leather, (2) Hairy Mushrooms, (3) Long Tentacled Toadstool, (4) Torch Coral, and (5) Frogspawn. If I were you (and in a lot of ways, I am you)...haha, I would look into a leather or a mushroom.

This small tank poses a lot of difficulties, but it really looks amazing in my opinion. Best advice is take it slow, enjoy the ride, and try to make your "pets" thrive, rather than just survive.

Good luck!