I think I'm ready... do you?!

[ek9vboi]

I think its time I step into the anemone world. I tried it once and failed... actually told myself never again. But not I think I am ready for it.

My 1st attempt was a bad idea... no research and listened to the wrong people. I bought a LTA from the LSF and it managed to get sucked up the powerhead. Plus I didn't have sufficient lighting either (24x2 Florecent lighting).

Tank as of now:
29 G tank
65 x 2 50/50 PC lighting
Romora AquaC Skimmer
According to the LSF permeters are perfect with the exception of low PH. Any recommendations on fixint that?
Buuble coral
Mushroom rock
2 Clowns ("True Perc.")
1 turbo snail and 4 scarlet crabs (Will be adding more soon)

Here is a picture of the tank... I think it has enough rocks and sand in it already.

Inputs please... will most likely be buying a BTA.

 

[jim48442]

re

re

i would use kents super buffer for the ph and you should be good i would go for a bubble tip one though less problems

 

[dantodd]

A BTA is a good idea. You will have to get your Ph in order for about 3 months before adding him, anemones are particularly sensitive to Ph problems.

A nice BTA would look good on that rock stack on the right (as I look at it) be sure that the rocks can't fall, they should be glued/epoxied if they can fall.

 

[ek9vboi]

Note taken, I will be buying the kent super buffer soon. Any more comments please let me know.

I believe my PH is ok because I added in the bubble coral a few days before getting the water retested. Clowns were added about a week before that too. Around next week I will have the PH tested again.

 

[Craig Lambert]

I would not go out and buy any pH buffers. If you bagged your water aand transported it to the lfs, the pH dropped on the way. You need to invest in some test kits (if not a pH monitor which is much better). Pick up some Salifert kits. I wouldn't be without ALK, Calcium, pH, magnesium, and Nitrate. The best thing you can do for an anenome is to provide excellent water quality, so you need to be on top of it.

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7410709#post7410709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Craig Lambert
I would not go out and buy any pH buffers. If you bagged your water aand transported it to the lfs, the pH dropped on the way. You need to invest in some test kits (if not a pH monitor which is much better). Pick up some Salifert kits. I wouldn't be without ALK, Calcium, pH, magnesium, and Nitrate. The best thing you can do for an anenome is to provide excellent water quality, so you need to be on top of it.

Thats a VERY excellent idea! What pH monitors are good? I was thinking about getting a testing kit, but for the money I rather get a monitor of some sort where I can use it and not worry about having to buy more stuff for the test kit.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Pinpoint make a nice one. You can see it on the Marine Depot website. Be sure to buy the callibration fluids too. Callibration fluids are dirt cheap and need to be used every 2 months or so. I would still encourage you to pick up the ALK, Calcium, and Magnesium test kits. They are all critical measurements.

 

[starseed]

I was going to say the same thing - no pH buffers - it will make your anem throw-up its zoox (been there done that).

pH test kits are useless IMO - a probe is exellent - pH swings throughout one day (mine runs from 8.2 to 8.4 - with a monitor, you know exactly what is going on with pH.

If you want to stabilize your pH - bring your MAG up to 1500 - 1400; bring your ALK to 10 - 12; bring you CAL to 430 - 450; and make sure there is plenty of oxigen exchange (like a skimmer and good ventilation in the room).

Before I did any of that, my pH used to swing between 7.8 and 8.3 - now it is stable between 8.2 and 8.4 in any given day.

Don't add a pH buffer - anems don't like that at all and there is one from Kent that iss kill an anem foresure (can't remember which one, but I think it's Kent pH Buffer - Kent Coral Builder is better for that).

 

[True Percula]

hey eric i asked this question many times also.....what i heard is get more liverock so if the BTA dont feel comfortable in the place you put it in it can move around so i would suggest more liverock so it can climb...just a suggestion...tell me when you buy i BTA i wanna know how it goes..good lick

 

[ek9vboi]

I really doubt I am going to buy an anemone from what I have read and been told by people. It looks nice and is a great place for the clowns to rest, but then again... who knows if they will host it or not. It all depends on the clown itself, it might host in a frogspawn or even a hammer coral... who knows. Its a 50/50 shot.

I haven't added anything new yet, would like more live rocks but im low on funds. I will be doing more water changes, about 2g per week. Found a place that sells it for a decent price 50 cents a gallon. When I think my tank is correct and I have all the necessary things, I will be doing more of a LPS and softies. 2 fish and a few snails, etc should be enough. My clowns keep me happy as well i do the same for them.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

FWIW- it's my experience that Bubble corals and anemones (of any kind) do not mix well- especially in small aquariums. The coral has sweepers (that are hidden during the day) that are strong enough to do damage to even the largest and healthiest anemone.

 

[ek9vboi]

I was thinking about getting rid of the bubble coral due to the fact that i want more flow throughout my tank. but for now it will be ok... BTW i dont think i am going to get an anemone and yes i know about the sweepers... they come out during the day time too.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7457015#post7457015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
FWIW- it's my experience that Bubble corals and anemones (of any kind) do not mix well- especially in small aquariums. The coral has sweepers (that are hidden during the day) that are strong enough to do damage to even the largest and healthiest anemone.

I have had a bubble coral with a female H. crispa for quite some time--but I agree that the bubble coral is dominant in any sort of conflict (IME, the damage done can be extensive). Fortunately, they are far enough away at this point that no problems result. But as Gary said, I would not even attempt it in smaller confines. If it continues long enough, a bubble coral can easily kill any anemone.