Haddoni Questions

[aqualab]

I have owned several RBTA's in the past and am now considering getting a Haddoni Carpet for my tank. Does the Haddoni prefer to dig into sand or a crevice in the liverock like the RBTA? Light requirements - high? Light spectrum - more white or blue, does it matter? High or moderate waterflow? Thanks in advance.

 

[garygb]

Haddoni buries in the sand, often at the base of liverock. Light requirements are high, but not as demanding as gigantea or magnifica, what type of lighting do you have and how large/deep is your tank? Daylight in general provides the highest PAR. Actinic provides minimal and is essentially useless. Haddoni prefer more moderate water flow rather than high as with gigantea.

 

[aqualab]

garygb,

Thanks for the info. I have an Aqua Illumination LED light module, so intensity should not be a problem. My tank is an Elos Mini 20-gal, approx 18" deep. Vortec MP10 for flow. Looking at basically stocking the tank with a mated pair of piccaso perks, the carpet and a few select corals once the carpet has staked out his area.

 

[elegance coral]

An 18" deep 20gl tank isn't going to leave much floor space for a haddoni. 12 to 16 inch diameter is pretty common for these anemones. Will you have a sump on this tank? It will be very hard to keep a haddoni in a 20gl tank without a large sump.
The haddoni I have requires more light than any anemone I have ever kept, and I have kept 7 of the 10 host species. Flow for a haddoni is surprisingly low. If the flow is to strong, they won't sit still.

 

[aqualab]

elegance coral,
My sump is not the stock Elos Mini sump. It's a LifeReef - approx 14 gallons. The skimmer is also a LifeReef, model 24. Both are oversized for this tank and will be capable of handling the waste. Return pump is a Mag 3, not sure of turnover ratio. The AI LED light is comparable to MH according to the manufacturer as well as what I have read from other owners on these forums. Vortec pump can be dialed back as required with additional direct flow blocking by the liverock depending on where it plants its foot. Its size when fully mature can definitely be the limiting factor here. It may take years to reach that size but it would also prevent me from having other corals due to limited area.

 

[elegance coral]

Haddoni's can grow very fast. I purchased mine at about 7". Within the first year it was 13" to 14". Several years later it was busting 16". Haddoni's don't need allot of space. Just enough room to spread out so it can capture enough light. It's not like they need swimming room or anything.LOL They just need clean water, so the sump should help. I like the idea of a small haddoni and clownfish tank. I don't think you will be able to keep many corals though. What is the foot print of your tank?

 

[aqualab]

The tank is 17" x 17" x 18". Liverock will reduce the available space. I may have to reconsider this now since I am interested in keeping corals also. Thanks for your input elegance, I appreciate it.