First Happy Father's Day to all.
Second, thank you to anyone who has time to respond today as I must take action today as I go on a business trip tomorrow.
I have longed dreamed having a mated pair of clowns hosting a gorgeous anemone in my tank. This was the prime directive in my design from the beginning.
OK, enough whining! tank has been in operation since Labor Day 2012. Parameters stable within normal ranges. PH is 8.1. The FAQ on this site suggests 8.2-8.3. Very stable temp 77-78f. nitrate 10 or under. Phosphate 0-.05 ppm. "To go" signal for the anemone addition was installation on a Reef Breeders 48 LED fixture. PAR readings are comparable to MH and High Power multiple T5 fixtures. Have approx. 100 lbs. of rock, loosely stacked using pvc pipe as supports. Have very good flow under and through the rock work.
The tank has very good flow.
Got a beautiful mated pair of Maroon Clowns, yes they are a pair & medium sized Green Bubble Tip. All came from a very reputable west mail order firm. The clowns were in superb condition and went directly into the QT. Its important to know these fish were fearless. I was almost able to hand feed them even though I made then endure several dip procedures during the 3 week period. The fish were perfect in all respects and showed no sign of disease.
The GBT was OK when unboxed but needed some attention. I acclimated over 1 hour and placed it in the DT Tank with the lights off. Turned the power heads of leaving only the return flow. Placed it on top of the rock work directly over a small crevice that I imagined it would like for anchoring. Looked like a perfect place but I knew BTs like to roam and I was prepared for that but what happened next I was not.
As I mentioned by rock work is very loosely stacked with multiple caves and holes. Fish can swim under most of the reef. Back in the day of UG filters, I kept a carpet alive for about 8 months & condys for 6 to 7 months under what we know was weak light. So I have some experience but I have never seen an anemone travel at such a high speed! Immediately after I carefully placed it on the rock, the anemone slithered into a crack, moved down the fault until it widened and down to the sand. There the anemone set up shop, anchored, I think, to a rock or to its pvc support. I cannot see directly into the hole without moving my light. I can peek through caves.
Its been 3 weeks now and the animal seems in good condition with very good green color, good extension with many enlarged "bubbles" at the tips or 3/4 up. I have not fed it as I cannot see the oral disk. However, I do get a lot of food flowing under the reef. About 1/2 of the anemone gets direct light down the light shaft. The brightest power of my LED light is 37% for a couple of hours with ramp up & down during the day. The light is not too bright. I have not done anything, hoping it would move into the open.
Remember those friendly clowns? After 3 weeks, I introduced them into the tank, prepared for it to take some time for the fish to host.. ..
The pair of clowns made 1/2 circuit of the tank then made a beeline for the anemone. Within seconds they had started the hosting introduction and within the hour were fully imbedded within the tentacles. I am watching the action through a small cave opening. Much like a keyhole and these fish seemed almost orgasmic :uhoh3:
Well now my beautiful maroon pair now stay with the anemone and, for two days, have not come out to feed. They do not look like they are scared simply enjoying their honeymoon.
Sorry for the long winded explanation but I wanted answer all the questions. Now I have a beautiful anemone, apparently in good condition, that I cannot see, feed or enjoy. And two great looking fish I cannot see or enjoy or feed. Again, its possible the fish are getting some of my chopped clams- shrimp- fish from the flow.
My question How do I move the anemone without damaging it. I can move a couple of rocks without too much disruption. I am afraid if I block off the light with a rock the anemone with fade away. I cannot direct a high flow without removing even more rock.
What do you gurus suggest? :headwalls:
Second, thank you to anyone who has time to respond today as I must take action today as I go on a business trip tomorrow.
I have longed dreamed having a mated pair of clowns hosting a gorgeous anemone in my tank. This was the prime directive in my design from the beginning.
OK, enough whining! tank has been in operation since Labor Day 2012. Parameters stable within normal ranges. PH is 8.1. The FAQ on this site suggests 8.2-8.3. Very stable temp 77-78f. nitrate 10 or under. Phosphate 0-.05 ppm. "To go" signal for the anemone addition was installation on a Reef Breeders 48 LED fixture. PAR readings are comparable to MH and High Power multiple T5 fixtures. Have approx. 100 lbs. of rock, loosely stacked using pvc pipe as supports. Have very good flow under and through the rock work.
The tank has very good flow.
Got a beautiful mated pair of Maroon Clowns, yes they are a pair & medium sized Green Bubble Tip. All came from a very reputable west mail order firm. The clowns were in superb condition and went directly into the QT. Its important to know these fish were fearless. I was almost able to hand feed them even though I made then endure several dip procedures during the 3 week period. The fish were perfect in all respects and showed no sign of disease.
The GBT was OK when unboxed but needed some attention. I acclimated over 1 hour and placed it in the DT Tank with the lights off. Turned the power heads of leaving only the return flow. Placed it on top of the rock work directly over a small crevice that I imagined it would like for anchoring. Looked like a perfect place but I knew BTs like to roam and I was prepared for that but what happened next I was not.
As I mentioned by rock work is very loosely stacked with multiple caves and holes. Fish can swim under most of the reef. Back in the day of UG filters, I kept a carpet alive for about 8 months & condys for 6 to 7 months under what we know was weak light. So I have some experience but I have never seen an anemone travel at such a high speed! Immediately after I carefully placed it on the rock, the anemone slithered into a crack, moved down the fault until it widened and down to the sand. There the anemone set up shop, anchored, I think, to a rock or to its pvc support. I cannot see directly into the hole without moving my light. I can peek through caves.
Its been 3 weeks now and the animal seems in good condition with very good green color, good extension with many enlarged "bubbles" at the tips or 3/4 up. I have not fed it as I cannot see the oral disk. However, I do get a lot of food flowing under the reef. About 1/2 of the anemone gets direct light down the light shaft. The brightest power of my LED light is 37% for a couple of hours with ramp up & down during the day. The light is not too bright. I have not done anything, hoping it would move into the open.
Remember those friendly clowns? After 3 weeks, I introduced them into the tank, prepared for it to take some time for the fish to host.. ..
The pair of clowns made 1/2 circuit of the tank then made a beeline for the anemone. Within seconds they had started the hosting introduction and within the hour were fully imbedded within the tentacles. I am watching the action through a small cave opening. Much like a keyhole and these fish seemed almost orgasmic :uhoh3:
Well now my beautiful maroon pair now stay with the anemone and, for two days, have not come out to feed. They do not look like they are scared simply enjoying their honeymoon.
Sorry for the long winded explanation but I wanted answer all the questions. Now I have a beautiful anemone, apparently in good condition, that I cannot see, feed or enjoy. And two great looking fish I cannot see or enjoy or feed. Again, its possible the fish are getting some of my chopped clams- shrimp- fish from the flow.
My question How do I move the anemone without damaging it. I can move a couple of rocks without too much disruption. I am afraid if I block off the light with a rock the anemone with fade away. I cannot direct a high flow without removing even more rock.
What do you gurus suggest? :headwalls:
