Anenome

[11countrybumkin]

I just set up my 30 gal aquarium tank last week. I have two anenomes, an older clarkli clownfish, a starfish and a six line wrasse. One of my anenomes keeps rollig up in a ball and looks dead (I think-I've never seen a dead one). Is it dieing or am I doing something wrong.? My water is perfect. I just had it tested and I am feeding marine flakes. Any help would be appreciated. Would it be a bad idea to get a baby clarkli or does that usually not work out?

 

[Toddrtrex]

[welcome]

Just so I am clear -- you have only had this tank set up for 7 days and you have put all of that livestock into the tank?

I don't know how your water could be perfect -- your cycle has barely started.

And to answer your last question -- no do not get a baby clarkii, or any other fish for that matter. In fact I would suggest taking some stuff back.

 

[11countrybumkin]

I got one anenome and the clarkli and six line wrasse the day after I set up my tank. The guy at the petstore said that was ok. I also got a liverock to help put bacteria in the tank. The new anenome is what I am worried about. Everything else looks good. I am not going to get anything else for a long time though. I really can't have too much more in such a small tank anyway. I don't think I can return anything to the petstore after it is purchased. Please help me with what I have now. I have read some stuff on the internet and asked a lot of questions at the pet store but apparently they are not a great sourse for info.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I suggest not taking that store's advice any longer -- Putting them in a tank the day after is way way too soon.

What would be really helpful if you could tell us the exact water parameters -- numbers not "okay" / "fine" / "perfect"

What type of lights do you have over this tank?

If taking back the live stock isn't an option, I would suggest some water changes. What type of anemone is it?

What type of filtration are you using?

 

[Anemone]

What Todd said. We need information to work with.

Kevin

 

[11countrybumkin]

It is 1.025 salinity and 82 degrees. and they tested nitrate, salinity, ammonia, and that was all good because my tank is brand new. I can't tell what kind of light that I have it is a fish tank long light. I got it used and the writing is off. I can get a new light if you tell me what I need. I am also going to get some frozen krill to feed them tomorrow. I is a Florida condalactys. I am using a undergravel filter system. With a Shark Mako 115v. 60 hz. Does this help you at all?

 

[MalawianDude]

Your tank is gonna cycle, levels will spike, prolly lose the anemone's and hopefully not the fish they tend to handle it a bit more.

The bulb does it look like this?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9680&N=2004+113350

or like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13314&N=2004+113346


Anemones really need:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13319&N=2004+113353

And not to mention a established reef of min of 6months. so everything is well and settled.

a undergravel system, ive seen it used in past with old school reefers, it works if maintained.

 

[11countrybumkin]

It looks like the first one. I will get the kind that I need tomorrow. Is dr. fosters a resonable place to order from? How do you keep up the under ground filter system because my freshwater tank doesn't have that kind. I have a bio wheel filter system on that tank

 

[awestruck]

Hi Country--I'm truly not trying to rain on your parade but is there anyone who could temporarily hold your animals until your tank cycles and settles? The chances of your anemones making it are very, very slim. Anemones need good water, strong lighting, and a stable tank. New aquariums simply cannot provide that type of environment. Also, what types of anemones are they?

 

[MalawianDude]

They are, and pretty good at helping you out when something goes wrong. Ud want something from here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113352

The one i showed u was just a bulb, u need a Metal halide system. Which will run couple hundred.

Also, I would but like guy said above, if could someone else hang onto them while redo your tank setup to improve it, would be great deal better. I would recommend removing that under gravel filter, and putting a HOB refugium.

 

[awestruck]

Country, also, don't listen to what your store says (at least for now). Whoever told you it was ok to add livestock the day after you set up your tank is full of beans. Please, ask people on RC in the future for good information.

 

[11countrybumkin]

Is there anyone near Houston Tex area with a salt water tank? I am North of Houston actually. Without that light you think they will die? They are Florida condalactys. Do do you the second light (with 2 bulbs)that you showed me would keep them alive? I wasn't planning on spending a couple of hundred right now. My light is for salt water and freshwater tanks. I know that. Is my light ok for the fish that I have? You guy have me really worried now. I don't want to loose my livestock.

 

[awestruck]

There are 2 main issues (among many others). Regarding the lighting: the lighting is fine for your fish; it is not fine for your anemones. Additionally, lighting is not your only concern; the quality of the water is of utmost importance. New tanks cycle and until your tank is completely cycled, ammonia and nitrites will be present and they are really, really hard on animals.

Here is what I would do: don't get lights right now--use what you have.

Take the condy back to the store and see if they'll hold it for you or perhaps take it for store credit.

Get rid of the undergravel filter and buy what's called a HANG ON THE BACK refugium. Hang on the back means just that--->it will hang on the back of your aquarium.

Don't buy any more animals.

Buy some saltwater testing kits. You want to test for pH, ammonia, alkalinity, calcium, and nitrates (these are just the basics). And, do you have a hydrometer?

Do you have a thermometer?

Feed your fish, but feed them just itsy bitsy little bits of food. Remember, fish act hungry all the time!

Test your water--when you see ammonia registering (and I'm sure you will) do a 25% water change (make sure you mix the fresh batch of saltwater really well--let it sit for a while with an airstone or a powerhead in it so it can aerate).

Read--Read--Read--Read

Know that there are many people here on RC who will help you.

 

[11countrybumkin]

That was A LOT of help. Thanks!!!! I will do just what you said.

 

[Dawman]

I hope things go well for you and feel bad you were misled by your LFS . :fish2:

 

[Slakker]

I'd try to return your fish to the LFS as well, and try to find a new store to shop at.

How much rock do you have? If you only have one piece, you should buy more live rock, enough so that you have 30 to 40 pounds of it in your tank.

 

[55semireef]

A good rule of thumb is to wait at least (imo) 8 months before you introduce any anemone to a tank which should be at least 30 gallons depending on the species.

 

[awestruck]

Slakker is definitely correct: take your fish back if the store will let you and when buying rock, people generally shoot for 1-1/2 pounds per gallon. Try to get good porous rock. Dang but rock is expensive but necessary for a saltwater tank. Further, 55semireef gives good advice when saying people should wait for many months before adding an anemone to a tank. You know country, I too love anemones, but they require some knowledge and really good conditions for them to thrive. Unfortuntely your store didn't tell you that. And, don't let those LFS people give you any guff. Tell 'em what you need and ask them to do it!!!

Now, try to remove the worry lines and repeat the reefing mantra with me (I know it by heart cuz I had to learn it when I first started) S-L-O-W-L-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y

 

[Slakker]

Don't feel bad, you're not alone. I think a good percentage of people here are guilty of taking things a little too fast when they start up, especially after getting advice from the LFS.

When I first started, I had an established sand bed leftover from the previous owner of my tank, added 4 pounds of rock, let that settle for a week or so, and then went and got 8 more pounds of rock, two A. Ocellaris, and a peppermint shrimp. I added them all to my main tank on the same day. That bit of poor judgement resulted in a good 3 months of QT for my clowns, a full month of which was very stressful in a "Are they gonna be alive this morning?" kind of way.

So you're having a rough start...try to learn from it, and don't get too discouraged on the hobby. The big take-home message here is from now on, try to do most of your research on your own. This website, among many others on the internet, are great resources and have a lot of information to help you out.

Let us all know how everything works out for you...best of luck!!!

 

[11countrybumkin]

I got a little excited!! I am going to take my anenome to the fish store tomorrow and ask if I can trade for some liverock and take the underwater filter out and put a on the back of the tank bio wheel. That is what my freshwater tanks have anyway. I'm going to get some frozen krill and get my water tested again. I'm going to keep the other things that I have and pray for the best. I know that the other pet store will not take them back. How long did your fish do good in your tank before you knew you were in trouble? My fish are all acting real good it is just the one anenome that is freaking out on me.