Planning on buying blue or green carpet

[Shane21]

Hi
I have 54 gal corner tank with over flow.
Not using overflow- leak in piping so need to fix
120watt non-dimmable LED
405 Fluval canister
Red Sea protein skimmer-not using yet might upgrade
60lbs fine live sand
30lbs base rock
60lbs live rock
1250 powerhead.

I started cycling process 4/22/13.
Checked my levels 2 weeks out and here as is
Ammonia-0.25 ppm
Nitrite-0 ppm
Nitrate-20 ppm
Phosphate-2.0
pH-8.2-8.4
Calcium- 560-600
Alk-1.7-2.8ppm
Salinity with hydrometer-1.024. Refractometer has not arrived yet
Mg- ran out of test kit.

I had a question on when to purchase my carpet anenome. I have had cheap ones that have thrived. I don't want to rush the carpet since they are expensive. I was wondering when should I add after my cycle has finished. Should I add it before my CUC and fish did give it time to settle.

 

[Wretched]

I can tell you right now, you're no where near ready for any nem. Calcium is a bit high, unless you're planning on having a SPS dominated. You're still in cycling process. Phosphates are also high.

 

[Ocfishguy]

You should not add any anemone until your tank is at least 6 months old and stable.

 

[Shane21]

Thanks guys. I know I'm still in cycling phase and would never think of adding it now. I was more concerned of should I add it before adding fish. Because I know they can stress easily. I usually cycle tanks for about a month before adding. I just wasn't sure how early I should add carpet since I've never had one.

 

[Wretched]

I'd add that way later down the road. It's recommended that you wait at least a year in an established tank. You can get away with sooner of course, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED. I'd add fish, when your cycle is complete. Patience is key.

 

[NanoJosh]

I'm nine months in and just got a maxi mini hopefully he does good and this will be my nem tank def wait atleast 6 months. I made that mistake when I first got in the hobby. Got a nem about a month in and he moved around a whole bunch and obviously ended up dying. Good luck. Oh and do you have a build thread or pics sounds like a cool setup.


55 gal mixed reef 10 sps Dom.
10 gal soon to be anemone tank

Sent from some device using some app

 

[Shane21]

Nano josh I can put album up on my profile for you to see. I'll email you when I have them posted.

 

[NanoJosh]

Nano josh I can put album up on my profile for you to see. I'll email you when I have them posted.

Sweet thanks


55 gal mixed reef 10 sps Dom.
10 gal soon to be anemone tank

Sent from some device using some app

 

[ca1ore]

Based on my recent experience with a Mag, I'd also definitely recommend that anyone attempting one of these sensitive nems have a hospital tank on hand - or at least access to one quickly.

 

[D-Nak]

My recommendation is to start off with an easy nem like a BTA. This is after your tank is stable (3-6 months) If it does well for a few months, then you can consider getting one of the harder to keep nems, such as a carpet. My suggestion would be a green haddoni. Sometimes Petco gets them in, and when they do, they've always been healthy (then quickly go downhill in the store, ugh).

 

[cichlidconvert]

D-nak that's how I got my newest nem, a green haddoni that the store wrote off. And is now recovering in my old bta tank it was labeled as a gig but is definitely haddoni. I concur with the nems need stability. And at the very least some experience with nems before tackling carpets. Carpets can be hard to acclimate at best.

 

[mnchartier]

I went to Petco the other day and they had a s. helianthus (puffy pillow, no folds, and green verracue) labeled as a s. gigantea, so please make sure the ID is correct.

 

[xtlosx]

I went to Petco the other day and they had a s. helianthus (puffy pillow, no folds, and green verracue) labeled as a s. gigantea, so please make sure the ID is correct.

Yup, I have seen that as well... fish eatin' suckers! The chances of finding actual Gigs at PetCo are slim to none, the staff has zero clue.