How long did you wait to add your Anemone?

[Pimps]

I've been told to wait 3 months, 6 months, and up to 1 year before adding an anemone to my new tank (35g), so how long did you all wait?

Be honest! :wavehand:

 

[loosecannon]

It depends on the Anemone . some are Harter then others.

 

[Pimps]

I see. Well I've looking for a BTA or LTA for my 35g that hosts only a pair of True Perc clowns & inverts atm.

 

[jmahfouz]

i would wait at least a year unless you have cycled live sand and rock already then maybe 6 months

 

[frewd]

i added in 3 months i waited for the cycle and made sure params were good.

 

[lewk]

Waited 3 months for my BTA. Took him one night to get settled and he's been happy so far.

 

[uncleof6]

I would wait until at least a year, fully cycled does not equal STABLE, pristine water conditions. You have been in the hobby for a while, so I will not presume that you don't have enough experience for anemones, rather suggest that you research BTAs, and LTAs throughly to find out their precise needs, and these vary from specie to specie, although, intense lighting, pristine water conditions, and good flow, are pretty common. Most anemones die within 6 mos of being removed from the ocean, due to not having proper conditions to meet their needs. Also, only one species per tank, or they will go to war. (chemical warfare)

Regards,

Jim

 

[ryan_]

I only waited 2 months and mine did just fine. It all depends on how stable your tank is.

 

[Pimps]

Thank you all for the replies.

My tank ran with LR & sand for over a month before adding any inverts or fish. Params gave been great, had a minimal algae outbreak a few days after adding the first clown fish but the CUC inverts demolished it shortly and since then everything has been stable.

 

[Korrine]

I've read of people adding a nem to their tank after 1 month of the tank being set up. That said they did use some rock and water from an existing tank so it was basically cloning a tank.

I'm afraid to have a nem. Why you might ask....
1) my tank is only 29g. I'd only attempt a rbta and it'd easily take up half my tank, not to mention having to fish them out if it splits.

2)If I change flow I don't want it moving around the tank stinging everything in it's warpath until it finds it's happy place again.

3)If I change my lighting (different bulb or w/e) I don't want it leaving it's war path behind as it moves around the tank.

4)Some can actually eat your fish!!

5)They are so sensetive they can die from small changes w/in the tank.

 

[Richard Reefer]

I waited three months for a BTA and have no problems since, just have to make sure your tank is very stable...

 

[motoms]

I would defiantly wait at least 1 year

 

[jenjen]

I added my BTA after 11 months. I wanted to wait until the tank was mature and I was able to maintain exact parameters all the time.

 

[JamesJR]

It all depends on your setup, how experienced you are and what species you intend to keep. If you have never kept an anemone or even a saltwater tank before I'd make sure you get your thumb wet and get the husbandry skills down pat before you attempt an anemone. Keep in mind, most clown hosting anemones are tougher to keep than many corals.
With a tank with optimum equipment you should be able to keep an anemone within 3-6 months at a minimum, wait longer for more difficult species.

We could use some more info regarding your tank set up.

 

[dudley moray]

i would wait until you are ready ... as in research the husbandry required until there is nothing left to learn about the nem you plan on keeping for me it took 6 months of reading by then my tank was about 8 months old but i've come to the realization my 65 gal is too small for my bta now almost 2 years later i would think about a bigger tank aswell if i were you !
i would also add alot more live rock !!!

 

[reefermadness85]

3 months as long as water quality is good. worked for me.

 

[Baltimore Bryan]

I added a bta after 4 months because I thought my tank had good, stable params and that I was ready for one. Well, I was wrong haha. After 1 month I made a stupid mistake and it bleached. Now I really understand that my tank is far from pristine water, but getting closer everyday. If I were to do my tank over again I wouldn't have added an anemone until at least 6 months, probably 6-8. But thats a guideline for a stable tank, if you know what you are doing and have a tank stable enough for sps in 1 month more power to you, but whatever you do wait until you and your tank are ready.
Good luck.

 

[Rangereefer]

I'd say at least 6 months to a year and make sure you have your intakes on your powerheads covered...powerheads and nems don't get along....j

 

[jbird69]

I tried anemones too early and they didnt make it. Nothing will foul your tank water worse than an anemone that crawls behind your reef and croaks. A symbiotic clown/anemone team will increase the chances for success. I finally had success after my reef was a year old. Now my BTA is bullet proof and it just split and I made some $$ off it

 

[Pimps]

Thank you all for posting, very good information from everyone. :thumbsup:

I have no problem waiting to add a anemone, I do have to do some more research to do and decide on 1 specific species.

Other than the pair of true perc clown fish that are already in my 35g tank, there aren't any other fish I feel I "must have". I'd like to get 1 anemone b/c (a) I love anemone's and (2) I want my clowns to thrive and be as happy as possible in their new home. :fun4:

This is my first SW tank and I did not plan on getting heavy into corals at all. I basically wanted a pair of clown fish and wanted to add a few fish or invert species around them safely.

Tank info: 35g FOWLR (atm); 15 lbs cured Fiji LR; dimensions are 36x16x13in; BakPak2 Protein Skimmer; MaxiJet 1200 powerhead; HOB filter (for extra gph and filtration); Current Power Compact Dual Satellite Lighting.

@rangereefer - Yea, I'll be getting the gutter guard very soon for my equipment!