considerations for Heteractis manifica.

[tongascience]

what are some special considerations for long term housing of this species.other than the obveus- high light,strong water flow,perfect water levels.but tips of the trade acclimation/guidence PHOTOS of ritteris in home- aquariums.

 

[delphinus]

You've more or less covered the big points but I'd add;

- should be a larger tank since they get large (be prepared for 18"-20", and maybe about 8" high as well)

- rockwork should be a coral bommie style (think "pile" of rocks) for the anemone to sit on top of. Preferably with a halide directly above - will help keep the anemone rooted in place.

As far as acclimation .. when I first got mine I drip acclimated him for a few hours. In the few tank moves I've had to do in the years since, I've just done a few water swaps in whatever container I wrestle the anemone into, on account that at its current size, a drip acclimation is no longer practical.

 

[boyooso]

what is 'strong' light?

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8770397#post8770397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boyooso
what is 'strong' light?

MH or T5s with individual reflectors.

 

[tongascience]

why do all the ritteri anemones i see in home aquariums/ lfs all seem drab / dull color (los of zooxanthellae) and seem to be strugling for there lifes? these systems are adequite but the keepers are missing somthing? any direct info of lifespan in the home aquarium. i know its poor/not hardy. but the monterey bay aquarium has a ritteri specimen for over a decade?

 

[55semireef]

Ritteris in general have a poor success rate in a home aquarium. I have heard others that have had Ritteris say their survival rate in an aquarium is like 10%.

 

[tongascience]

your right on an average its very poor.

 

[55semireef]

Additionally, aquarists will buy what "appears" to be a healthy Ritteri but its not. It can take up to 6 plus months for a Ritteri to die off and all of a sudden, that person that owned that Ritteri will be puzzled making a thread asking why their Ritteri is dying.

 

[tongascience]

you are so very right - my lfs had one for three months & since day one it looked pale. and months later (when i was thinking of purchase) it slimed and died. lfs THE DAY BEFORE SAD LOOKS GOOD! TRYING TO PULL ONE OVER? SAD IL WATE AND THE NEXT DAY & VUALA.if your a lfs not able to keep a specimen DONT GET ONE FOR RESALE!!!!!!!! WORDS OF WISDOM.

 

[Pavlo]

It's not all bad news with these nems, I have had one for over 4 years (not long for an anemone I know) during which time it has kept its colour, grown well and has even divided.

I don't have powerful lighting, triple 250w which may sound a lot but the tank is three feet deep and the anemone is near the bottom.

As you have mentioned, flow is very important

another obvious but important factor is stability. Avoiding temperature fluctuations or rapid changes in water quality. My nitrates are high at about 15 ppm but they have been at this level for as long as I can remember.

hth

Paul

ps. you can see it on the left hand side in this picture.

 

[tongascience]

awsome anemone where did you abtain him?

 

[Pavlo]

I bought it from a garden centre in Kent, England.

They had it in totally the wrong conditions but it had only been there for a day or two before I bought it.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8772081#post8772081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pavlo
It's not all bad news with these nems, I have had one for over 4 years (not long for an anemone I know) during which time it has kept its colour, grown well and has even divided.

I don't have powerful lighting, triple 250w which may sound a lot but the tank is three feet deep and the anemone is near the bottom.

As you have mentioned, flow is very important

another obvious but important factor is stability. Avoiding temperature fluctuations or rapid changes in water quality. My nitrates are high at about 15 ppm but they have been at this level for as long as I can remember.

hth

Paul

ps. you can see it on the left hand side in this picture.

That is an awsome tank. Wow.

 

[delphinus]

Always enjoy sneaking a peek at Pavlo's setup.

If I'm not mistaken, this H. mag has split for Pavlo. My 6-year H. mag looks very similar to this one, however is not a splitter.

 

[Cprowler]

I've had mine for just over 2 years. I have a 400w XM above it (250w on other side) in my 120g and a dart running my CL for flow.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Cprowler- That is a very nice aquacaping job there! I love that look! The big nem out on it own little island is priceless! Great job.
That rit looks great too!
Beautiful tank all around!

 

[55semireef]

Nice tank prowler.

 

[Jadran]

very nice aquarium, Cprowler! meg TOTM,

 

[Cprowler]

Thanks for the kind words guys.