Help me set up an anemone tank

[afm32607]

I really want an anemone and hosting clownfish. So far my 34 gal tank has been set up for 8 months. I have nothing but rocks and sand so far. Salinity is at 35 ppt Alk at 6-7 (no additives) calc at 400 temp at 78. I have an mp 10 pump and sol blue aqua illumination led system. I have a aquamax hob skimmer rated for a 75 gal tank.

A few questions I would opinions on are:
1) what kind of nem should I get? Was thinking a dayglo BTA, color is nuts. Do they really come in neon colors or are those websites using strictly actinics and photoshop?

2) do I get the clowns or nem first? Being a small tank I would imagine clowns first and then nice water stabilizes roll in the nem. But most suggestions seem otherwise. Thoughts? Also, how do I know my tank is really stable. I have had tanks go through cycle have level pH and other stats and 4 months after adding fish i got the fluffy brown algae that new tanks get again.

3) no real issues seem to pop up with me using dwarf hermits and trocus snails for cuc. What about sexy shrimp? Will clowns kill them or will they learn to stay out? Other potential shrimp for the tank? All seem likely to be eaten.

4) should I get the AI hydra 52 upgrade or is it not needed here? I like what I have it works and I've figured out how to use it already.

5) should I glue my rocks together? Typically don't like to as it makes moving the tank hard (been doing this for 6 years and moved 3 times, only once was "planned"). FWIW, I've gotten really good at moving so any questions feel free to ask I lose little except when I have downsize/consolidate but we don't talk about that much. :hmm2:

Experience and opinions are wanted as are reading suggestions other than other threads, why I appreciate them I have read hundreds and need a different format lol.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Each anemone has certain types of clowns it hosts in the wild. So your selection of anemone will depend on what kind of clowns you want to keep. BTA is a host to many clowns but does not host true percula and ocellaris clowns in the wild. However, in captivity some percs and ocellaris will adapt to BTAs.
i know that Live Aquaria often states that having clownfish can help an anemone acclimate faster in an aquarium. That's not always the case as some clowns can be very rough on new anemones which can eventually lead to a demise of the anemone. So in some cases it's best to put an anemone before clowns.

 

[afm32607]

Won't the anemone cause the water parameters to fluctuate? What can I toss in first that won't get eaten later to help build up the bio load? I've been feeding the tank food every few weeks to keep it cycled but that doesn't seem very stable.

 

[hotelbravo]

i also would get nem first. clean up crews usually dont pose a threat and the sexy shrimp and clowns have been known to share an anemone. glueing rocks does not matter.

 

[TrevorHenry]

if you put a anemone in your tank and then slam the tank with a big bioload, you're not gonna like the outcome. If you have patience put a clown in. Just one, wait a few weeks watch for the spikes then add another and let those spikes happen and then you can add a anemone.

 

[afm32607]

I was thinking of tossING my clown fish pair in and when it comes time to get an anemone moving the clowns to the sump of my 75 for a week to let the anemone get acclimated and find a good spot and then returning the clowns.

The 75 has a pair of clowns a mandarin dragnet and a kole tang.

 

[shred5]

Reading your post you defiantly are new to this so a BTA is a good start..
BTA's are pretty hardy.
A anemone does not cause any fluctuation they just dont handle them too well.
I would add the anemone first to let it settle in and then add the clowns.
Make sure any pump inlet is covered.
A BTA like medium light and flow.
I have seen pretty much every clown host a BTA but it is no guarantee and never is unless you get them together.
What clowns do you have now?

 

[afm32607]

I was referring to the change in ammonia from feeding the anemones, which all the materials I have read suggest I do at least once a week.

To go from nothing to once a week would necessarily increase the ammonia in the system. Correct?

I have a pair of perculas (not really a pair, just two small ones (about an inch each) so I want to get something soon before the grow. I am aware that they are rough on the anemone which is when I figured I would remove them if need be. With my luck they will ignore the anemone forever anyway.

As a clarification I have a 75 gal reef that is fairly successful. However, I have never had an anemone and have had very limited success with clams (kept one alive for 6 months). Also this is a very small tank (34 gal. with a HOB skimmer).