Looking 4 anemone for 2 false percs

[pezcubano]

I'm looking for an anemone for my 75G reef. The tank is just starting and I've got 2 false percs as my only fish so far.

I plan on having lps and a few reef fish, with the focus of the tank on the lps.
Any suggestions on good anemones that will encourage the percs to host?
Thanks

 

[ClownNut]

RBTA

 

[Anemone]

A RBTA is not the natural host for ocellaris, so you fish may or may not host. On the plus side, the BTA in general is one of the easier anemones to keep (not "easy" mind you, but easier). You can find the natural hosts for ocellaris in the FAQ thread at the top of the forum, but they (the natural hosts) are really more "advanced level" anemones.

Kevin

 

[pezcubano]

I read through the FAQ and like you said, the natural hosting anemones for ocellaris are the most difficult anemones.

It seems smarter and safer to stick with some type of BTA and keep my fingers crossed regarding the hosting. I don't want to jeopardize an anemone's life while I'm still in the newbie learning curve.

 

[Coraldynamics]

I would suggest waiting a few more months (6-9) BEFORE you even start looking for one. Research, get your tank settled, get good at maintaining the tanks vital needs. Most home aquaria are not established/stable enough to support the delicate anemone species' until at least a year old. This entails YOU getting better at keeping the tank correctly.

What no one has mentioned to you yet is you do not NEED an anemone for your clowns. They are happy with easier to keep soft corals, LPS, powerheads, tank corners, anything THEY choose as a host.

Please rethink an anemone at this time...

Cheers

 

[pezcubano]

Stephen - Thanks for the advice. I hear you loud and clear. This hobby/addiction continues to humble me each time I take a step forward with it. I definitely don't want to rush anything.
That being said I will continue researching and allowing my tank the chance to stabalize itself.

As I research I will focus on other life in the tank (lps, soft corals, etc...) before moving towards an anenome. What direction would you point me in? Zoanthids? (my lighting and flow is good)
My tank parameters are currently:
SG = 1.0245
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0 (slightly above 0)
Calcium = 340 ppm
Alk = 179 ppm
Phosphate .05 ppm

 

[Coraldynamics]

I am pleased you took that advice in the manner in which it was intended. As far as where to go from here, with your current lighting you should be able to keep most items. The only question I have is about the amount of flow in the tank. Do you have any powerheads or other flow devices in the tank? Usually just the return from the sump is not near enough for most LPS and SPS corals.

Your calcium seems a bit low, 420ppm is around natural seawater. Do a search on how to bring that up without drastically affecting the pH and Alk (they will be affected though)

Zoanthids are nice, but not the end all of aquarium corals. What direction you take really depends on what YOU want for the tank. It can take many paths, and still be an excellent adventure and ecosystem. Where do you want to be with this tank in 2-3 years? What is your vision for it?

I know, I know...more questions!

 

[pezcubano]

My flow from my return pump only gives me 450 gph (I split the 900gph from the eheim between the chiller and the display tank). I've supplemented the flow with 2 Tunze 6025s (each giving around 660gph)
So I've got about 1700-1800 gph in the display. My thinking behind this was that considering this was my 1st tank, I would not get into SPS. I'm thinking 23x tank volume should be enough for most lps and softies I may want to put into the tank.
I will research my calcium levels...
My vision for the tank is to focus on lps and/or softies with a few reef fish to complement the ecosystem. I'm not at all interested in large fish, aggressive fish, etc... I will introduce whatever fish I can as a result of the lps/softies that I choose for the tank.
I mentioned Zoanthids because they seem like an easy way to introduce myself, and the tank, to aquarium corals...
What do you think?

 

[Coraldynamics]

In that case I would go with some nice and easy leathers... Devil's Hand, Toadstool, Sinularia. Also Euphyllia's make nice alternates for hosting clowns. I have a couple of pairs that host in both Frogspawn and Hammer. Watch out for sweeper tentacles off most LPS corals...some have good sting and long reach. Anthellia and Xenia are nice and hardy but not the greatest shippers. Find some local and it will help. Anthellia can take over a tank in a hurry so keep it in check.

Paly's, Zoathids, Parazoanthids are nice, bright, fairly easy, affordable. Do a search on Paly-toxin and read up on them. Keeps your hands away from your (or anyone else's) face until you wash good after handling. You know the stuff we learned about hygene when we were 2 year olds....

And one last thought, anytime you can get captive propagated corals and fish, do so over their wild caught counterparts. 99% of the time a true captive propagated specimen will be hardier and better adapted to life in our little glass boxes....

Peace...

 

[E.J. Coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10379295#post10379295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coraldynamics
I would suggest waiting a few more months (6-9) BEFORE you even start looking for one ... Most home aquaria are not established/stable enough to support the delicate anemone species' until at least a year old...

Why is this true? What is special about 6-9 months?

 

[Coraldynamics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10383863#post10383863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E.J. Coral
Why is this true? What is special about 6-9 months?

Most home aquaria are not established/stable enough to support the delicate anemone species' until at least a year old. This entails YOU getting better at keeping the tank correctly.