What kind of Anemone in a 45 Cube?

Ambition

Ambition

New member
Been thinking of doing a scorpionfish tank with the 45 cube I am picking up today, but I am so attracted to keeping anemones and clowns.

I would like to know which anemones are going to get too big for a 45 cube (2'x2'x18"). This meaning they would fit in the 45, but powerheads would probably get them when they grew. I have heard that mags get to be 3ft, but in captivity they only get to 1/2 that size. Maybe someone could shed some light on that.

As far as nems go, I would prefer them to be the natural hosts of perculas and ocellaris, but if those will get sucked into PHs as they grow then I will be okay working with something else (picking clowns based on host nem I get). Care level of the nem is okay if it is considered difficult or expert only as I am going to build the tank to fit the nem's care needs.
 
you can keep almost all of the host anemone in a 45 g cube. About anemone getting too big, they will not unless you feed them. If you want them to grow feed them if not don't feed them too much.

Most colorfull anemone you want probably Haddoni carpet (S. haddoni). These carpet need a sand bed. Other anemones that need sand bed are M. doreensis, H. crispa or H. malu.
Anemone that do not need a sand bed are H. magnifica, S. gigantea, S. mertensii and E. quadricolor.

Of these anemones S. gigantea and H. mganifica are the hardest to keep. They do not ship well and it is very difficult, almost impossible, to get a healthy Gigantea. Slightly better shipper, but not by much, is Magnifica. Both of these anemones requires very high light and water movement. Magnifica like to perch on top of the rock, the highest point under bright light and lots of circulation. Gigantea like to perch on the side or under the rock under bright light and circulation. Often Gigantea like to stay near the rock/sand border. For these in your tank and 250 W MH or equivalent is optimal. Maybe you can get away with 150 W MH DE with good reflector. I have never use LED so I am not sure how they do with LED light.

All other anemone do not require as much light or circulation. I don't like BTA. I never able to get BTA to stay put for long long term. Only problem I got with anemone in PH or overflow is with BTA. They may stay put for one year then just go marching for no apparent reason, I have not keep BTA for a very long time due to this problem.
the picture and video below show the flow needed for Magnifica and Gigantea:

Magnifica. This tank have 4 PH plus the pump for the skimmer (CPR skimmer). I was careful place the rock so that the anemon cannot touch the side of the tank or the PH. Also the anemone is right under the 250 W MH. Any movement of the anemone will result in lower light level thus he does not move.

FTS2009.03.28.02.jpg



Gigantea video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB-zDkx8SRU&feature=youtu.be

I hope the above information help. You can keep any host anemone in your tank if you know how to set them up and know the anemone. Both of the above anemone are in 30 g Oceanic cube 20X20X18.
 
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I have a blue Haddons in my 60 cube, but the tank is probably on the small side. I'm currently running into a bit of trouble finding the right flow-balance, and there isn't a whole lot of room for other corals or fish. I LOVE the carpet and clown family though :)

With the sand dwelling anemones, like LTAs or s. Haddoni, you're not going to have nearly as much vertical space in your tank, especially with LTAs.

You also have to consider stability.
 
^that's an incredible amount of flow. My haddons would be extremely bothered by that.

I kind of wish my anemone would be happy with more flow. It's tough finding lower flow; higher light SPS.
 
That is an Gigantea. Magnifica needs similar type of flow. Haddoni does not need much flow at all.
 
I would love to attempt a gigantea or magnifica anemone (two of my favorites, of course most difficult to keep). There is still a lot to think about with the tank's direction. Just trying to cover all of my options (as far as what I want to do). See the pros and cons of each set up possibility then go from there.

Minh, your post was very helpful. Got all of what I was thinking would be spread throughout different posts in one. :) Thanks for the post, still trying to catch up in your gigantea thread.
 
It's good you're researching. It will help with long term success. I like RBTA myself.
 
Kyle(ambition) do your research before starting this will ensure some knowledge of what the animals need... 45 gallon with nem and clowns my favorite kind of combination... If it was me I would do ritteri(magnifica). Good luck
 
I love hearing people's experiences with them as I find some information that I read is a little older, and some things may have changed since the articles were written. RC is a good thing to do a quick final check on everything, as well as just get the hobbyist perspective.
 
Also remember some can and will eat fish. I have a blue haddoni that ate my hectors goby the day I got the goby. I believe it was because my melanurus wrasse was chasing the goby and it ended up in the anemone. I think I paid a $1 a minute to for that fish
 
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