looking at possibly getting an anenome

[rjbesch]

Just like the title says, My wife is wanting a tank with a pair of clowns and an anenome. SO I am thinking why not give it a shot. I ave a good understanding of tank sizes, lighting and chemicals etc. with the fish and corals but the anenomes are all new to me. I am leaning towards the RBTA or the GBTA. My question is.......All I plan on having in the tank is the pair of clowns and anemone right now, well in a few months, but do I need to dose calcium and all regularly for this type of tank like I do for my other tank with the corals? It might sound like a stupid question, but just looking for some clarification on what these animals need before I buy one.
Thanks for the help in advance,
Ricky

 

[dynastykid]

Your water changes should introduce sufficient elements needed to care for a bubble nem, as long as you are using a quality salt. If you introduce it to your tank properly and let it get settled it should thrive. Phytoplankton and feedings don't hurt in my experience

 

[rjbesch]

ok thanks, thats kinda what I was looking for. On a side note, does anyone have any good resources for BTA and their care? I looked on here and have found a little information, just would like a little more.
Thanks

 

[tahoe61]

Anemone

Anemone

There are some great thread (stickies) regarding anemones on this forum. I would definity take a look at that. Anemones are a whole new ball game, but once you get the basics down, your good to go.
If you do routine wc then IMO you do not need to dose, if all you have are anemones and softies.
Lighting is one of the most critical parts of keeping anemones. Your tank should be six months old at least, but a year is better.
And you need to take into consideration what the long range plans for your tank are. Always research any new additions you plan on adding, but I think you have that under control. Good luck, and please post pics.:wave:

 

[dynastykid]

Check this site out. There is a lot of good information on this site and is where I studied most before getting mine.

http://www.karensroseanemones.com/

plus if you are dedicating the tank to an anemone right off the bat, I think this will def help the nem settle nicely

 

[garygb]

I agree, no need for dosing, just regular water changes. If you decide on a R/BTA, good natural symbionts would be tomato, maroon, or clarks. Wetwebmedia is also a good site to find info. on Entacmea quadricolor.

 

[rjbesch]

Thanks for the help. The only plans for the tank are going to be anemones, and I am leaning towards the BTAs but am not completely sold just yet.

 

[velvetelvis]

It might sound like a stupid question, but just looking for some clarification on what these animals need before I buy one.
Thanks for the help in advance,
Ricky

It sounds anything but stupid; you're doing exactly what you should. Too many people don't stop to think and ask questions until they've already acquired the anemone and find out that their tank is too new/they don't have adequate lighting/they picked an unhealthy specimen/they picked a difficult species/their clownfish aren't interested in it and now they're frustrated/etc.

Based on everything I've read and heard, I'd recommend a captive-cloned BTA (green or rose). They seem to be the hardiest, and they haven't been taken from a reef or other ocean habitat that needs to keep all the anemones it's got. I'm getting a RBTA in a couple months myself. Good luck!

 

[garygb]

BTAs are a good first choice. They tend to be hardy, host a large number of clownfish species, can often be found cloned, and once they find a piece of live rock to attach, tend to be stationary. As far as care, I would say these basic parameters should suffice quite well: temp: 78-82; MH, T-5 or PC lighting; sg 1.025-1027; shoot for nitrate zero, but will tolerate some nitrates. They will eat as often as you feed them. Some people feed several times per week, others feed rarely. Direct target feeding will result in faster growth. Moderate water circulation is fine for this species.