Unhappy clowns searching

[Slurpeeatwork]

I recently lost my two anemones (BTA and Carpet) and my 3 percula are not happy (IMO). They are searching the tank for an anemone. They currently host to the open brain and it doens't mind. I have checked my water parameters myself and took water to the LFS and it checked out. I have new VHO (4 48" VHOs - 2 Aqusun 2 Superactinic) that are on for 8 1/2 hours a day. I want them to be happy but don't want to lose another anemone. I know anemones go through a lot before they get to the LFS so is it a crap shoot if they survive once it gets into your tank? Could the lights be wrong? I have several corals in the tank and they are all doing really well, so I'm leaning toward the lights being good.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I am going to assume that this is for your 55 in your sig? While I have never used VHO's, it seems like enough light. What type of carpet was it? (( Gig or Haddoni )) and how long did you have it? They aren't the easiest of anemones to keep -- with finding a healthy one being the main issue.

How long has the tank been sit up?
What is all in it (( fish wise ))
What is the filtration?
What are the actual numbers for the parameters?

 

[Slurpeeatwork]

The tank has been setup for 6 months now. It was a Gig and I had it for about 2 weeks. I have 2 fire fish, 1 yellow watchman, and 3 pecurla, 1 yellow coral banded shrimp, turbo snails, 1 emerald crab, scarlet and blue legged crabs and 1 sand sifting snail. I have a sump system that cycles the tank 10+ times per hour. I also have a hydor 3 PH for circulation. I also have a skimmer in the sump that run 24/7 and I get about 1/4 gallon of wet per week (green tea color in waste container).

Temp 77 Deg
Nitrite - 0
Calcium - 440
Phosphate - 0
KH - 9

 

[Guy340]

Open a can of worms.... lol.. I just hope no one flames you with what you're posting (how long the tanks been up, temp)...

Some consideration for you to take.

Wait a while longer before getting another anemone. If you do, try getting a BTA (Bubble Tip Anemone) from a local person, where it's split (aquaculture). You might want to also raise your temp a little. Also, what's the SG? 1.02x?

Good luck though on what you decide to do.

 

[traveller7]

If the clowns are disease free and well fed, they dont need an anemone in the tank you describe. Most will call just about anything home, a powerhead, a clay flower pot, etc.

Many of us have kept BTAs under VHOs in a configuration you describe for years on end.

Tank is a bit young.
IMHO, temp is fine for BTAs.
Gigantea is not an anemone for inexperienced anemone keepers without a dedicated tank.

The advice to wait few weeks/months and try a well conditioned BTA is good. Be prepared to protect it while wandering: cover intakes, heaters must be in the sump, etc.

Good luck.