What Anemone is a "step-up" from BTAs and LTAs?

[NyteReefer]

I mean, BTAs and LTAs are swell and all, but I would like something a little more challenging to keep. Preferably not a carpet. Any ideas? (Hosting Anemones Only Please).

Thanks,
Rob

 

[clowns101]

try a sebae anemone a little harder to do.

 

[Slakker]

What exactly are you looking for from a nem that BTA's and LTA's don't have?

Just something a little more rare, or some specific trait?

 

[Gig 'em]

psh BTA's are the bomb-diggidy! But if you're looking for something more difficult Heteractis Magnifica's are beautiful host anemones that are difficult to keep. But They are hard to find healthy and have a bad track record when it comes to keeping them alive. If you're real experienced and have a larger stable system you may want to read into them

 

[NyteReefer]

I just wanted to know what some of the hardest anemones out there were to keep besides the BTAs and the LTAs because Idk, don't seem very hard to keep. I know carpets are hard and I might look into those. Rittiri's are ultra hard, and I wouldnt want to try one. I might look into sebaes tho.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[garygb]

I would say H. crispa is a good choice as well. Often they are imported bleached, or worse yet, dyed a phony looking yellow and in need of tlc. Ethically, I am not sure which is worse, to pass a bleached, but otherwise healthy sebae by or to purchase it and reward the lfs for selling such an animal. Frankly, I think lfs will continue to sell dyed sebaes and bleached sebaes regardless. They've been doing it forever. I suppose the best we can do is at least ask say to the staff: "it would be nice if you only offered healthy, non-dyed anemones for sale." One of my soap boxes. lol On the upside, sebaes can be very hardy and grow large and are a natural host to a very large number of clownfish species.

For the carpets, certainly gigantea would prove challenging for you. You've had years of saltwater experience and apparently are doing well with BTAs and LTAs, so that could prove rewarding. I only have magnificas, so I can't speak from experience, but it seems giganteas are on par with magnificas for difficulty. Also like magnificas, they are beautiful and play host to numerous species of clownfishes including ocellaris and percula.

 

[NyteReefer]

For a magnifica, what are the requirements other than the ones for basic BTAs and LTAs...?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[garygb]

Magnificas need to be located on the top of a hill of liverock so they can maximize water flow and lighting. They like good random water flow, as produced with a Sea swirl or Tunze on a controller. As far as light, they prefer T5 or MH. They need very good water quality, preferably nitrates undetectable, sg 1.026-1.027, temp. 80-82F, etc.

Probably the most important thing to having success with this species is to find a healthy one to begin with. One that isn't very bleached and has no tears or obvious bacterial infections.

 

[NyteReefer]

You have a magnifica in your 40g? Just curious. As I am in the process of downsizing from a 400g system to a 40g. I am considering a magnifica. Also, what types of Tunzes do you suggest 4 a 40gBR? I was looking for two of them...

Thanks,
Rob

 

[garygb]

No, I have them in a 50 gallon breeder. Magnificas do get rather large, so if you're going to have a 40 gallon, you will want to start with a small one and possibly consider getting a larger aquarium eventually--or control it getting too big with feeding smaller amounts. Some people would say, don't keep this species in a 40 gallon tank. I wouldn't say that. You just need to make sure the tank is very stable and you would only have the H. magnifica and perhaps a pair of clownfish. For a 40 gallon, assuming there's a sump, I would suggest a Sea Swirl with a Mag 9.5 as a return. Sea Swirls I have found to be very reliable and the back and the wave-making action to be perfect for a ritteri.

 

[garygb]

I meant to say "back and forth/wave-making action."

 

[NyteReefer]

Sea Swirl, anywhere I can read up on this?

But I was going to go with Tunze's which would you suggest and how many of them?

 

[kobesan]

get the Tunze wave box.

 

[garygb]

In a 40 gallon, a Tunze might be rather strong. I have a 6000 Stream on my 50 gallon and I have to power it down a bit not to cause sand storms. The 6000 Stream I have is not longer manufactured. You can research and find the lowest power Tunze. You could also check out the wave box as kobesan suggested. I haven't tried a lot of pumps, I tend to stick with what I know.

I know Marine Depot caries the Sea Swirl, but that is to be used with the return from the sump. You wouldn't need a Sea Swirl and a Tunze. The Tunze can be on a controller that mimics waves, powering up and then down, simulating the ebb and flow of wave surges.

 

[NyteReefer]

I most Likely will get the Tunze nano wavebox, but does it perform the same functions as a powerhead? Or will I need the smallest nano stream also?

 

[Slakker]

A magnifica in a 40g could prove challenging in more aspects than stability of parameters.

If it can touch the side wall of the tank from its "perch," it may end up climbing the glass in search of more light and getting sucked through a powerhead.