Wanting to set up a 20 Gallon long Clown/Anem tank

[tkimmons85]

I am wanting to set up a 20 gallon long for my wife. It would be mainly a clown/ anemone tank. The plan is a pair of gold striped maroons. An anemone or mulitiples( not really sure). Lighting would be HO T5s. Filtration would be HOB refugium and regular water changes. It would also contain 20lbs live sand and an undetermined amount of live rock. For flow I have two koralia nanos and if more was needed I have two hagen powerheads.

My questions are

What would be a good beginners anemone that my clowns would likely host. Something that has a reputation for being a good first anemone for someone.

Also how long will my tank need to mature before I can add an anemone. Can I add one after my cycle is done?

And lastly I know maroons can be pretty aggressive. What are your thoughts on adding another fish like a blenny or gobie later on in a 20 gallon with two clowns.

 

[ocellaris123]

For a twenty gallon I would stick to an occellaris pair (orange or black), or a pair of true percs. Twenty gallons may be a bit small for a large maroon female, but I have seen it done in a twenty, with the maroons spawning. The only anemone I would do in a twenty gallon is a Bubble tipped anemones which is the hardiest of the hosting anemones and a natural host for maroon clownfish. K nanos are a bit on the weak side, so I would add the hagens also. Just make sure to cover those intakes. How many bulbs are in your fixture and do they have individual reflectors?

People usually say to wait six months before you add the anemone to let your tank stabilize. This is good advice to follow, especially if you are beginning but I never follow the rule myself. Lastly if you go with a pair of maroons I would not add any other fish to the tank.

 

[tkimmons85]

Its a 4 bulb 24watt per bulb fixture with individual reflectors. So it would work out to about 4 watts a gallon.

 

[ocellaris123]

your lighting is fine

 

[tkimmons85]

What are the negatives to having multiple diff anems in a nano tank ? If I ever wanted to add more.

 

[ocellaris123]

Nanos are not big enough to keep multiple species of anemones in. The only anemone suitable long term for a 20 gallon would be a bubble anemone. You should probably stick to one bubble anemone who in time will take up most of the tank.

 

[tkimmons85]

This may be a dumb question but I dont know much about anems. I really like the carpet anemones but have read how they are difficult to care for. What makes them so difficult? I know that 20 gallons is too small but how fast do they grow, or do they split? And if so could I manage the size of one in a smaller tank by "fragging" it( i dont even know if thats the proper term for anems)

 

[Toddrtrex]

This may be a dumb question but I dont know much about anems. I really like the carpet anemones but have read how they are difficult to care for. What makes them so difficult? I know that 20 gallons is too small but how fast do they grow, or do they split? And if so could I manage the size of one in a smaller tank by "fragging" it( i dont even know if thats the proper term for anems)

The two most common "carpets"; Gig and Haddoni, do not split, so fragging them wouldn't be a viable option.

 

[tkimmons85]

Oh Ok well that answers that. Thanks

 

[tkimmons85]

So what needs to come first the anemone or the clowns. In a newly established tank.

 

[ocellaris123]

Clowns, since you are still new to anemones I would wait for you to get a feel for your system for 6-8 months before you get an anemone.