New tank, keep anemone?

[JustinFromAL]

I purchased a 90g tank that has two mature true perc clowns who are being hosted by a red LTA. The tank was about a year old when I got it, and I've had it for another 18 months. That tank was a learning experience, now I've got my "dream tank" build started.

Since the original tank I purchased has a bad flatworm infestation I decided to start the new (110g) tank from scratch. New (dry) rock, new sand, new everything.

So, I've always heard people say an Anemone needs a "mature" tank. So, when I break down the old 90, my new 110g will only probably be a month after cycle. Should I try to move the LTA at that time or sell it and give the tank more time to mature?

 

[sjwitt]

It's just me but I would NEVER sell a Red LTA. If it's happy and you're doing well then I would let the 110g mature and move it over. The concept of having a "mature tank" is as much for the Reefer as it is for the anemone. You definately want the tank to be cycled before you move anything over but I would keep it.

BTW, you could but a 6-line wrasse in the 90g with the flat worms and it should eat them. Also, do you have corals? Are you transferring them because the flatworms will most likely be on just about anything to transfer. CoralRX dip should get rid of them.

 

[JustinFromAL]

Thanks for the feedback sjwitt. I'm leaning towards keeping it, as you said now that I've had it for a while I kind of have a "feel" for how it's doing and I'll know if it's declining.

The new tank will definitely be cycled, it already is actually. But I want to get rid of the 90 before the fall (remodeling the basement), hence the urgent nature to move.

As for the corals, I pulled the ones I want from the 90 about 6 months ago, dipped them and QT'ed them to rid them of flatworms before moving them to the new tank.

 

[sjwitt]

Then I would move it over and see how things go. The thing about using dry rock is that your biological filter won't be established as it was in the old tank. You've increased your overall water volume a little but depending on how much livestock you have the tank could swing back into a 'cycle' as you add more livestock (fish/anemone).

An anemone, depending on its size, is the equivalent bioload of a few fish. Just add things slowly from the 90g and let the tank compensate before adding more. If it's just the anemone, corals, and the clowns then you should be fine.