Another Anemone Question...

[Fishtails]

Hello folks, being this the anemone forum I figured I'd post here. I did do a search, found some information but figured it'd be easier to create my own post and get the experts opinions to my questions. I plan on adding either a BTA or RBTA to my tank. I have a 24G nanocube. It's been running since February of last year. Currently has a pair of clowns, cherub, and ywg. Corals only consist of softies. Lighting is a 150w halide. Pretty much want to know how large they get, will the clowns take host to it, would you all recommend putting a nem in a tank this size? And how much of a threat will a k-nano pump pose to one? I'll post a picture to give you gives a good view of the current setup.

Thanks

 

[Anemone]

Well, whether or not your clowns will take to your anemone depends upon the species of clown. Most will, but ones that normally don't host BTAs in the wild can be picky. Unfortunately, perc and ocellaris (can't tell which from your picture) are two that don't normally host BTAs, so they sometimes take quite a while to move in (and other times they're in immediately, you just can't tell).

Any size or type of pump is a danger. Covering the intake with foam is a must, unless you want chopped anemone, sooner or later.

A 24 gallon is a small tank for a hosting anemone. A BTA can range in size from a few inches diameter across the oral disk to 12-15 ininches, plus 3-4 inches of non-bubbled tentacle. So, a BTA could easily take over your entire tank. Can you do it? Sure, but it depends upon your experience level and how good you are at maintaining a stable environment in your nano tank, and whether you are willing to risk th BTA eventually killing all other corals in the tank as it grows. If you're successful with the BTA, it will happen, it just might take a few years.

Kevin

 

[SwampyBill]

+1 ^^^^^^...Also, if you do add an anemone, it's suggested to acclimate it to your lights by covering the top of the tank with about 3 layers of window screen; taking a layer off a week as the anemone settles in. You're really pushing it though, with an anemone in a 24gal nanocube. Good luck!

 

[Fishtails]

Well, whether or not your clowns will take to your anemone depends upon the species of clown. Most will, but ones that normally don't host BTAs in the wild can be picky. Unfortunately, perc and ocellaris (can't tell which from your picture) are two that don't normally host BTAs, so they sometimes take quite a while to move in (and other times they're in immediately, you just can't tell).

Any size or type of pump is a danger. Covering the intake with foam is a must, unless you want chopped anemone, sooner or later.

A 24 gallon is a small tank for a hosting anemone. A BTA can range in size from a few inches diameter across the oral disk to 12-15 ininches, plus 3-4 inches of non-bubbled tentacle. So, a BTA could easily take over your entire tank. Can you do it? Sure, but it depends upon your experience level and how good you are at maintaining a stable environment in your nano tank, and whether you are willing to risk th BTA eventually killing all other corals in the tank as it grows. If you're successful with the BTA, it will happen, it just might take a few years.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. You pretty much have given me a good answer to all my questions.

 

[Fishtails]

+1 ^^^^^^...Also, if you do add an anemone, it's suggested to acclimate it to your lights by covering the top of the tank with about 3 layers of window screen; taking a layer off a week as the anemone settles in. You're really pushing it though, with an anemone in a 24gal nanocube. Good luck!

Thanks. It seems more or less the issue will be tank size. As for lighting I believe the gentleman I'll be acquiring from is keeping the anemone under brighter lighting. Would you still do a light acclimation?

 

[SwampyBill]

Yes, I would. Toddrtrex has a great thread on here about acclimating anemones to different lighting. btw, I love your beautiful state...My Mom's lives outside of Nashville in Smith Co. Good luck!