How to Plant Anemones

[chopsuey]

I have prepared my self for the flaming so its ok to do so. But before you do please answer my question or point me to a thread where my question has been answered before.....

I want to host a pair of clowns in a large anemone... Now I know its hit or miss wether or not the clowns will take to the anemone I select for them.... but that is another questions for down the road.

I have a 180G Reef w 200+ LR mostly SPS and Rics. It has been up for 10+ months and all of my levels are stable. I already have one flower anemone and want to add a Bubble for the soon to be added percs.

My questions is: How do I get the bubble to stay attached to the rock where I want it?

I want it near the center bottom of my tank. The percs that it will host will be the center piece in the tank.

I know they move around and find their own spot.. but this is unexceptable.

Has anyone had success with getting anemones to stay put and if so what are the best methods of doing this?

I want the anemone to be planted and happy before I add the percs.

 

[bencozzy]

a needle and some fishing line or good ole super duper super glue.


reallly it cant be down, it might settle in for a few years or days but it will move no matter what you do.

you could isolate it on its own rock pile were it cant reach out to the walls or anything else.

 

[chopsuey]

I have some great glue I use for SPS frags and already thought about using it on an anemone, I figure it would injure it's self while trying to move if it was glued. I have a lil cup shaped pile of rocks around where I want to place it... but Im sure if its not happy there it will find away to move over the rocks.

Errrr.... Mabey I go with the needle and thread Idea... LOL

 

[Toddrtrex]

I am assuming that you don't want it to move so that other things won't get stung? With a BTA, all you can do is hope that you put it in a spot that it likes and pray it doesn't move.

Would have almost been easier to get the BTA first, than but the other corals in, but I have a feeling that that isn't an option.

Is there a reason you are set on a BTA? Perhaps try one of the sand dwelling anemones.

 

[chopsuey]

Those are some good suggestions but I have a sand dwelling Flower anemone that I have had for over 6 years. It was in my old 55g for 5+ years and over that course of time I have had several percs. None of which would use as a host. I guess my mind is not made up on a BTA. But the spot is set in 'stone' so to speak.... LOL. As far other corals getting stung My tank is 2.5feet deep and all of my SPS are at least 1.5 feet and higher. I want the anemone to rest near the bottom or against the rocks on the bottom. Heres a pic:

 

[Toddrtrex]

Actually I meant before any other corals (SPS), but it seems that you already have them in the tank, so that won't work.

In my experience my BTAs, like to be from about middle up in the tank. Why I don't know, there was (moved it out of my SPS tank) more than enough light. Now I have it in my 75, and it is about middle up again, but I had recently redid that tank, and have to islands, one of them will just be for the BTA, the other for SPS/Zoos.

Another thing to remember, BTAs, tend to split, and the clones may/will move around a bit afterwards. I am not trying to tell you not to get a BTA, just trying to make sure you are fully aware of what could happen.

 

[chopsuey]

All your sugestions are great. The only anemone I have ever had is the one in the pic above. Thats why I am posting. I know what I want to do and where I want to do it. The 'How' is my question. I have researched the different anemones and seems the best/easiest/cheapest one for Percs is the BTA. That was the only reason why I was going to go with one. If you have a better suggestion for type of anemone... please share.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Slakker]

All anemones will move if they don't like where you put them. They're not sessile like corals, they are mobile creatures and should be accommodated accordingly.

 

[traveller7]

Even tube anemones will move as conditions change, if your set up will not allow for some wandering on the rock or in the sand; it is best to avoid putting anemones in the tank.

Sand dwellers tend to wander the least, but no guarantees.

 

[jeeperrs]

I would let him wonder around and find a rock to attach itself with. Once it is attached I would move the rock where you want the anemone. I would position the rock so that the current and lighting is similar to the area it settled in originally. I have moved my anemone using this method and it doesn't move off the rock he has attached too. Others I know move the rock they attach too so that the anemone is already at the "peak" of the rocks since they often move "up" to get better lighting (this is mainly for BTA).

 

[jerryz]

The story of my LTA finding a place to be planted was pretty funny. He made 2.5 laps and then settled in the exact center of my tank. Not sure how that happened but now he is the "centerpiece" So I'm really happy about it.

 

[israelnajar]

My GBTA set its foot on the bottom of a rock and reach around to the top into the direct flow of my return.

 

[israelnajar]

Tip on how to get your clowns to host.

I bought a pair of tank raised true percs and the next day they were hosting in my anemone, less than 24 hours. Of course you need an anemone that doesnt move. Here is what I did:

I remounted one of my moonlights so that it illuminated my anemone and nothing else. Once my lights went off they stayed within my light. When I woke up there they were swimming in the anemone.

I am pretty sure the moonlight trick is what led them into it. The reason I believe that is because the next day I reconnected my other moonlight which happens to point to my frogspawn, and both were torn between the Nem and FS.

 

[chopsuey]

WOW great idea israelnajar!

I have a small single moon light I used in my old tank. I will try that method when I get the anemone to settle and before I drop in the Percs.