What to do?

[Brickyardpub]

Just curious... I've got a couple false percs in my tanks and was tossing around the idea of getting an nem for them to try and host. Over last 3 weeks I've been doing extensive research on them and curious what are some of your thoughts on starter nems? My LFS has some very nice looking Haitian Pink tips for sale and a couple Sebae ... any idea on these ??

Tank is about 7 months old now ... and I keep everything in check. Here's the rundown in brief :

75 Gal ( 140 total water column )
ASM G2 Skimmer
Nova Extreme T-5 ( 216 Watts ) * thinking of adding another 2 bulb unit *
90 Lbs Live Rock
25 Fuge w/ Chaeto
2 False Percs
2 Purple FireFish
1 Red "Scooter" Blenny
Couple Ricordia Schrooms
1 Hammer Coral Polyp ( has doubled in size in as many months )

About 35 , Astreas,Turbos,Red leg Hermits, Blue Leg Hermits as CUC

Oh yeah... 3 Koralia3's and 1 Koralia2 plus my returns at about 900 GPH w/ head loss factored in


My params are right where they should be I reckon.... granted my experience is limited to about 7 months salt, 8 years fresh... but I think I'm up for the challenge... based on what you see , what do you recommend???

 

[Toddrtrex]

Would like to know your actual water parms, 'trates, 'trites, etc.

But, I would stay away from the Haitian Pink tips -- they aren't natural hosting anemones, and could very well eat your clowns/other fish. As for the Sebae most come in in poor shape, not a good choice for a first anemone.

So, would suggest looking for a BTA ( Entacmaea quadricolor )

 

[Brickyardpub]

ok..... here goes,

Salinity 1.025 steady
Amm 0
Trites 0
Trates 0
Ph 8.2
Cal 435
Mg 1350

10 to 15% water change weekly w/ Reef Crystals ( slowly switching from IO )


Phosphates - don't have kit to measure as I've read and interpreted it as kind of a moot point as it won't measure bound Phosphates, but my tank is pretty pristine save some small amounts of algae on my pump return outlet and a little on my fuge walls. I'm guessing the Chaeto in the sump is doing its job, growing slow but steady. I also clean my glass maybe once every 4 days when i start to notice some snail trails and a little film. ( I'm retentive) I would say I have the phates under control....i think.

Anything I am missing anything??? I mean , i think I've got a pretty decent grasp of things....

I've just seen most say the ball park of a 6 months to a year is a min . break in period to where you want to get into these things... the husbandry does not intimidate me, and things seem to be where they need to be , right??

 

[Brickyardpub]

bump

 

[garygb]

Your parameters look good. I'm with Todd, I would suggest you go with an Entacmea quadricolor, either rose or green. They are easy to care for, host a variety of clowns, and make for a satisfying pet. They can grow quite large, so you will want to allow some space for that. As you know, they like to live with their base in a cave in liverock.

 

[blumarlin]

Defintily a bubble tip anemone. I have a clarki hosting a gbta & a maroon clown hosting a rbta w/ 2 extra nems to spare (due to a split.)

 

[Brickyardpub]

thanks for the recommendations.... I'll start looking up all I can on them and make the dive soon. From what I have read, it seems like there are basically two colors green and maroon or rose colored, correct?? any others out there?

 

[Aaarrrggg]

I got my RBTA at 6mths and I couldn't be happier with it. It's been much easier to look after than I thought it would be thanks to:
http://www.karensroseanemones.com/

Good luck!

 

[Brickyardpub]

thanks so much for that link... very informational!