What size tank would you suggest as a species tank for a H. magnifica or S. haddoni?

[GroktheCube]

Hello all. After reading a number of stories about people's fish getting eaten, I've decided against adding one of the larger host anemones to my mixed reef.

Instead, I intend to set up a dedicated species tank that will house no livestock other than a host anemone and a pair of one of the larger clown species, either something from the clarkii complex, or maroons.

What size tank do you all think would be a good choice? The space I'm thinking of using could accommodate a tank with a footprint of up to ~40"x20". The Deep Blue 57g (36x18x20) is one tank that crossed my mind, as it would fit the space rather nicely, and is shallow enough that lighting should be fairly easy.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[justinky]

I think the deep blue 57 would be a good choice, you could also go glass cages route and get your own custom dimensions if you wanted.

 

[Reefahholic]

40 breeder....

 

[garygb]

I have a 50 gallon cube and a 50 gallon breeder, and I really like both. In both cases, I have a sump under the tank so a good big of the equipment can be hidden. You idea about the deep blue 57 sounds good. Shallower tanks that are wide have an especially nice look, I think.

 

[james30ct]

Saw this on Fb today.
http://i.imgur.com/cnXksJT.jpg

 

[biodegraded]

I had a mag in a 120 and it took over 2/3 of it. It extended over 24" in diameter when happy.

 

[Amoo]

Saw this on Fb today.
http://i.imgur.com/cnXksJT.jpg

That's cool and all, but it looks naked to me without any clowns.

 

[GroktheCube]

Thanks for the feedback.

Wow, that cube is gorgeous!

Any pics of the giant mag? I know they can get that big, I'm not sure I've ever seen one that large.

I wouldn't rule out a gig either, I just don't think I've ever seen one at an LFS that didn't look like it was on death's door.

I'd definitely like a sump, and I've drilled tanks before and would feel comfortable drilling a (non tempered) 50 or 40.

I figure shallow is good, easier to get good water movement, and I could probably get away with a 150w MH.

 

[Daniel62]

Anything 24" or wider would be great. My haddoni spread that wide from time to time, that's why I have a 30" wide tank.

 

[GroktheCube]

24" might be a bit tight, but I'll do some more measuring and see if I can get creative.

Do you think 18 or 20" width would be too tight for comfort with one of the larger nems?

 

[OrionN]

I would recommend a 30X30, 18-30 in height. In this tank, you can feed the anemone to your heart content and he will never out grow it.

 

[GroktheCube]

I would recommend a 30X30, 18-30 in height. In this tank, you can feed the anemone to your heart content and he will never out grow it.

Based on that, it sounds like a Marineland 70g cube (30x30x18) would be just about perfect. That might extend into the room a bit further than I'd like, but I may be able to get creative with a custom stand to make flow into the rest of the room a bit better.

Thanks for the advice. Would a 150w MH be adequate at those dimensions, or would going up to 250w be wise?

 

[OrionN]

I would use at least 250 DE MH for Magnifica in that tank. Magnifica or Gigantea may need higher light. OK for Haddoni with that light

 

[OrionN]

Saw this on Fb today.
http://i.imgur.com/cnXksJT.jpg

I think the anemone in there is a Haddoni that is new in that tank. He is not fully extended yet, but the tank is too small for him as is. Healthy, that anemone is at lease near double in term of diameter.
That is a terible tank for that anemone.

 

[OrionN]

If you are going to keep Haddoni, you should add a little height to it since the haddone will need at least 4 inches sand/substrates. 30X30 24 high would be better for Haddoni.

 

[GroktheCube]

Thanks for the advice. 250w would still be manageable.

I'll do some measuring and planning to see what I can fit. I have always liked cube tanks. I imagine it would be relatively easy to set one up for gyre style flow, either with PHs or a closed loop.