Anemones
- Thread starter momof12
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mudplayerx
Active Member
I think some anemones need rock to anchor themselves in, while others prefer to utilize the substrate. You should research it before you buy. All anemones need strong light however, and metal hallides are preferered.
Keep in mind that anemones are completely intolerant of poor water conditions, and if they die, they foul the water.
The same is true with starfish. Some prefer to hide in rock, others will actually burrow in the sand. Beware of starfish though, they may eat other tank inverts.
Keep in mind that anemones are completely intolerant of poor water conditions, and if they die, they foul the water.
The same is true with starfish. Some prefer to hide in rock, others will actually burrow in the sand. Beware of starfish though, they may eat other tank inverts.
ophiura
Active Member
Theoretically, you do not need LR to keep either...
However, as mentioned, anemones have some very specific requirements that are not typically met in a FO tank. They need pristine water quality, which is usually found in reef tanks with LR and low biomass (few fish). They need very intense lighting...power compacts at a minimum for some species, but metal halides to insure success with most.
Also it is important to know what fish you are keeping in a FO. FWIW, many fish will do better with LR also.
Seastars are a bit different. They do require very good water conditions but do not necessarily need LR...or lighting. In a FO tank, however, you can ONLY keep non reef safe stars such as chocolate chips, generals, red Africans. These can be spot fed. You can not keep reef safe stars such as Linckia and Fromia (generally colorful one's) with out lot of LR, as they will starve without it, and basically need a mature reef tank.
I strongly discourage the keeping of sand sifter stars, as most (not all but most) will starve to death in smaller tanks. Some take to spot feeding, some don't. But all eat the good critters in a sand bed, and generally eat themselves out of existence.
Brittlestars/serpentstars are also suitable provided water quality is good, and you have some places to hide. They can be spot fed.
However, if you are intending to keep puffers, large wrasses, large angels, triggerfish, etc, you really should not keep a star, as these are natural predators of seastars.
For water quality, aim for ammonia = 0 nitrite = 0 nitrate <20, specific gravity 1.025-1.026 (very important, IMO, for inverts - a big difference with many FO tanks), pH = 8.2. Generally, the tank should be about 6 months old to allow it to stabilize, and allow the hobbyist to develop skills and a schedule.
However, as mentioned, anemones have some very specific requirements that are not typically met in a FO tank. They need pristine water quality, which is usually found in reef tanks with LR and low biomass (few fish). They need very intense lighting...power compacts at a minimum for some species, but metal halides to insure success with most.
Also it is important to know what fish you are keeping in a FO. FWIW, many fish will do better with LR also.
Seastars are a bit different. They do require very good water conditions but do not necessarily need LR...or lighting. In a FO tank, however, you can ONLY keep non reef safe stars such as chocolate chips, generals, red Africans. These can be spot fed. You can not keep reef safe stars such as Linckia and Fromia (generally colorful one's) with out lot of LR, as they will starve without it, and basically need a mature reef tank.
I strongly discourage the keeping of sand sifter stars, as most (not all but most) will starve to death in smaller tanks. Some take to spot feeding, some don't. But all eat the good critters in a sand bed, and generally eat themselves out of existence.
Brittlestars/serpentstars are also suitable provided water quality is good, and you have some places to hide. They can be spot fed.
However, if you are intending to keep puffers, large wrasses, large angels, triggerfish, etc, you really should not keep a star, as these are natural predators of seastars.
For water quality, aim for ammonia = 0 nitrite = 0 nitrate <20, specific gravity 1.025-1.026 (very important, IMO, for inverts - a big difference with many FO tanks), pH = 8.2. Generally, the tank should be about 6 months old to allow it to stabilize, and allow the hobbyist to develop skills and a schedule.
momof12
New Member
Thanks so much for the advice. I will check into metal lighting. How about the orange sea star? Several places it said it was a good one for FO tanks. :thinking: We will take our time on choosing an anemone. How would we go about adding live rock to our fish only tank? Would we need alot or just a few pieces?