new to anemones, looking for guidance!

mike1420

mike1420

New member
So today I finally decided to try out a GBTA in my 28 gallon JBJ. Some basics about the tank:
-Temp is currently around 82...
-Water params all in check..
-Major water change 3 days ago...
-1 150 W metal halide for 8 hours a day, then 4 Blue LEDS...
-Filter has 2 bags of carbon (AquaClear bags made for 30 gallons) that were replaced today, and 2 Blocks of AC foam...
-Stocked with 1 False Perc and a Diamond Goby, along with a blue legged hermit and around 10 assorted snails..
-Tank has been set up for a year since I've had it, bought it used last summer...
-Protein skimmer on all day...
-2 "powerheads" that come with the tank along with an AC 20 gallon powerhead...
-Around 50-60 pounds of live rock with crushed coral substrate


The GBTA seems to be moving since its propped up on his "base" collumn thing... cut me some slack I said I was new at this :spin2:

Anyone have any suggestions for what it's doing? What should I feed it and how often? I'm thinking either small pieces of shrimp (raw, frozen, cooked?) or clam...? How do you feed it? etc etc

Also It seems about 4-5" in diameter when all opened up, but in the store he was only about 2-3"? Is this a bad sign?


THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR ANY HELP!!! :spin1:
 
I think the anemone is splitting, it looks as if it's beginning to separate, like it's trying to even out tentacles... I need to know what it would look like if it is splitting and what I should do! Thanks
 
Well it didn't split last night, so I'm thinking it was just a little stressed. But it now moved to the back of the tank behind a massive rock, and I don't think any light reaches it, and if any it's minimal. Maybe it's still adjusting to the MH 150 W bulb since I really don't know what lights the LFS used. Should I move it or will it move itself if it isn't satisfied?
 
For the time being, I'd leave it be. Let it get accustomed to your tank. If it hasn't moved into the light in the next couple of days, you can aim a powerhead at it. They don't like direct flow, so it'll move out of the flow.
 
Thanks for the advice! Now, I'm thinking about feeding it tomorrow. How should I go about doing this since I don't have the tongs or what not... should I try a skewer?
 
mike1420 said:
Thanks for the advice! Now, I'm thinking about feeding it tomorrow. How should I go about doing this since I don't have the tongs or what not... should I try a skewer?
Click to expand...

Anything clean that you would normally stick into your tank. Just guide it to it's tentacles, it will either take it from there or let it go.
 
okay I'll figure something out since its all the way in the back of the tank half under a rock...it would take a piece of raw shrimp, right?
 
I didn't even think about chopsticks! haha thanks for that tip! but I really am getting frustrated since it's hiding in the back of my tank, hmmm I'll leave it there for now
 
I would suggest not feeding silversides. There have been people who have lost anemones from this type of food. It is also very tempting to feed it whole rather than chop it up into small pieces. I feed my anemones the same meaty mix I feed my fish - a DIY equivalent to Rod's food.
 
mike1420 said:
-Stocked with 1 False Perc and a Diamond Goby, along with a blue legged hermit and around 10 assorted snails..
-Tank has been set up for a year since I've had it, bought it used last summer...
-Protein skimmer on all day...
-2 "powerheads" that come with the tank along with an AC 20 gallon powerhead...
-Around 50-60 pounds of live rock with crushed coral substrate
:spin1:
Click to expand...

So, for me, anemones are much more tricky than most LPS, SPS, and other soft corals. Based on the description of your tank, it sounds like you don't have any coral. Have you tried mushrooms or zoanthids? They're generally more hardy than Bubble-tip anemones, and can provide a good litmus test to learn if your tank is stable enough for an anemome.

I suppose that it's all a moot point b/c you already have the anemone! Regardless, if this one doesn't work out, I recommend 'starter' corals (mushrooms, ricordea, xenia, leathers) to 'get your feet wet'. Once you see true coral growth, you'll be better positioned to try an anemone again.
 
wooops forgot to mention I have about 5 mushrooms in my tank, originally there was one. They've been doing really well! On the same rock I have a toadstool. I also have 3 frags of mixed zoas left after a massive hair algae bloom that seemed to kill the other frags I had. They seem to be doing a lot better now
 
I just fed the anemone a piece of raw shrimp, it seemed to close up really quickly on it, and it's already back opened. It was closed for probably a good 6 minutes. I just want it to move out of the back of the tank and to the front so I could see it!
 
So this morning I came downstairs and was horrified because my anemone was all shriveled up and its mouth was open, not to mention the fact that all the tentacles were deflated. I came back down after 30 minutes and it was expelling waste, so it was a relief. Right now its all back to normal even though its still in the back of the tank with no light...
 
A good feeding response is a good sign. Does it have good color? It will come out to the light when it has acclimated. In the meantime, keep feeding it. I feed silversides, mysis, shrimp, etc. A few people have said they lost anemones to silversides, but it is hard to say that is the true cause since so many people use them with no problems. Still, human grade food might be better.

If you haven't checked it out yet, read up at this site:
http://www.karensroseanemones.net/

A lot of good information there. I don't know if I agree with her complete setup, but it works for her. Plus the info on bleached anemones, splitting, feeding, etc is great.
 
It has a bright green, almost florescent color, I'll try to post a pic of it later when I find my camera. It seems to be happy back behind the rock, so I aimed a powerhead a few inches above it so it gets some flow.
 
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