I am starting up a 14 gal Biocube. I plan to put a pair of saddlebacks in there, and even though they don't need it, I would like to have an anemone in too. But I have no marine experience, and will probably kill most anemones. Is there any anemone I could have that could live in similar conditions as hardier corals? Thanks.
The Hardiest Anemone
- Thread starter aj2494
- Start date
lougotzz
New member
I lol'd when you said you would probably kill the anemone. Ok, idk what the stock lights on a biocube 14 are, but you're going to have to upgrade. Then since you have little to no confidence in yourself you are going to have to let your tank mature for a while. Give it 6-8 months. When you have no ammonia, nitrite, and nitrtates are <5, the tank has been up for half a year, and you fixed your lighting, go for a bubble anemone. After half a year you should have learned from all your mistakes by then and your confidence will be built up. Signs that you are on the right track are:
Little oxygen bubbles in the sand bed (you should be able to see them pressed against the glass)
Seeing little bugs running around the tank.
Your tank will go though some ugly stages with types of nuisance algae.
Little white worm spots all over the walls you won't clean, rock, power heads.
Corraline algae growing.
And than of course time.
Good luck.
Not sure what lougotzz was saying about pcs being useless, but I assume he meant the actinics are useless. pcs are fine for BTAs, however, keeping bulbs to the daylight range, say 6700K to 10000K, will provide the highest PAR (photosynthetically active radiation).
As you've been warned, BTAs get rather large; however, you could keep a small one in a 14 gallon for a while assuming you maintain good/excellent water conditions with regular water changes, a minimal bioload, etc. Your lighting will work, you just want to located the anemone within 12 inches or so from the bulbs, which should be easy in a tank that small.
As mentioned, anemones aren't considered easy animals to keep. The BTA is the easiest of the host anemones. With two saddleback clowns, you might have trouble keeping the water quality up to the conditions an anemone needs. I could see one small clown and a medium size anemone for that size tank and not much else. You want to do some research, the tank need to be established for several months before you add an anemone.
As you've been warned, BTAs get rather large; however, you could keep a small one in a 14 gallon for a while assuming you maintain good/excellent water conditions with regular water changes, a minimal bioload, etc. Your lighting will work, you just want to located the anemone within 12 inches or so from the bulbs, which should be easy in a tank that small.
As mentioned, anemones aren't considered easy animals to keep. The BTA is the easiest of the host anemones. With two saddleback clowns, you might have trouble keeping the water quality up to the conditions an anemone needs. I could see one small clown and a medium size anemone for that size tank and not much else. You want to do some research, the tank need to be established for several months before you add an anemone.
Saddlebacks will outgrow a 14gal fairly quickly, move toward 40g breeder range for a mature pair. They tend to be quite abusive pairs, and you can expect the dominant specimen to wear out the weaker of the two if not kill it out right over time.
Side note, they dominant female will put on a growth spurt faster then you would guess.
Only clown complexes I would consider for that tank: percula/ocellaris or skunks.
Best of luck.
Side note, they dominant female will put on a growth spurt faster then you would guess.
Only clown complexes I would consider for that tank: percula/ocellaris or skunks.
Best of luck.
sterling18
WMAS and HVReef Member
The question is what wouldn't host a pair of clowns.
I've had frogspawn host them, I've had torch host them, Zoo's, frilly shrooms.
IME, they'll eventually call a BTA home if not immediately. BTA is about all I would consider for a 14gal. Other hosting anemones might fit, but they would not be as tolerant of the conditions.
Find some nice captive raised skunks and a local BTA clone. Be prepared to trade for smaller clones in the future if yours out grows. Best to be a member in a local club.
Good luck.
