Bubble Tip

[fishchef]

I run two hoods side by side over a 125. 2/4 bulb 39w T-5 HO ATI. Its been suggested that bubble tip might do well. Since this will be a mixed reef with fish I've been concerned about the anemones moving like with Ritteri and the killing of large fish associated the carpets. We haven't had anemones for some time, like over 12 years. Any thought s out there? There's a lone Ocellaris that I'm considering pairing with another also.

 

[mcfa2403]

Bubble tips are not as common of a fish eater but are probably the most notorious for moving. However, they are the most likely to thrive (not just survive) in your tank as they are a rock dwelling anemone that is somewhat lower in lighting requirements. They are not commonly a host for ocellaris but still will in many occasions, my ocellaris and percula prefer my torch to my 5 bubble tips.

 

[fishchef]

Thanks for the info. My system is going through changes. Upon adding the anemone I was thinking that after a while it may find a good spot, stay, and then I would add the corals. Is this a reasonable plan? It does say in this sticky here that Ocellaris are a good match for bubbles. So many different opinions and all from experience. Nothing is set in stone for the most part. Thanks again for the info.

 

[mcfa2403]

I have been able to put all of my bubbles in my tank and have them move no more than 2 inches from where I placed them. To do this I considered the amount of direct lighting they would need in relation to the fact that they prefer to stretch out from their base in order to collect light. Next I considered the direction and strength of the flow in my tank (I don't recommend adding a BTA to the tank until your rock work is finalized and your powerhead direction is where you want it). BTA prefer to have their foot in a dark crevice with no flow while being able to extend their oral disk and tentacles into moderate-moderately high flow.

As for the clowns, BTA are considered a good match for most because they are a more accepting nem (most likely based on strength of sting) but BTA are the natural host of maroon clowns. I believe that carpets are the natural host for percula and ocellaris (these two species of clown can pair). While a natural host is not necessary it does significantly increase your possibility of hosting (euphyllia coral are likely to be competitive hosts for perc and occ for BTA).

I would add the nem close to last for 2 reasons. The first being flow, as you add coral you may feel the need to change the direction or intensity which could significantly effect your nem and cause it to move. The second reason being that nems typically require a more stable environment than most coral and therefore require the tank to run long before being added. If you have fluctuations in your tank it could cause your nem to become unhappy which, in the case of the BTA especially, could cause it to move.

 

[fishchef]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your experience. My system has been set-up for 8+years and is very stable considering dKH, CA, Mg, Salinity, PO4, and pH.
I have just the spot for a bubble and I was wondering about the rock, but crevices are not an issue. Any additional advice is always welcome.