Conflicting Advice

[malves]

Let me preface this by stating that I am new to the hobby (6 mos). My question is: When is the right time to add anemone to a tank. Now the background.
I have a 30 gal SW tank. My water parameters are good. I have two full spectrum 18000k tube lights in the hood that came with the tank (the hood came with the tank that is). I have a powerhead, protein skimmer, and also the filter that came built into the hood. 10lbs live rock and live sand. There are a yellow tang, foxface, and a, so I was told, mated pair of percula clowns living in the tank. I have had absolutly no problems with the tank after 6 months.
The problem I am having is that I went to one LFS and I asked them about adding an anemone or two to the tank. They said that to add Anemone or corals, I would need to start my tank over and add cured live rock, let it sit for six months, then add the livestock. They also said I need more lighting. Today, I go to another LFS who says I can add an anemone as long as there are no corals in the tank, allowing time for the anemone to settle in so it doesnt sting anyting. They also said my lights were fine.
Who is right? My ideal goal is to add maybe two anemone's for the clowns to play with and to spruce the joint up a bit. I will eventually be adding some more live rock also. I am not looking to make a full blown reef tank, just add a few extras.
Am I going about this all wrong or are my intentions appropriate?
If anemone's are OK at this point, what are some good ones to start with or are appropriate for my tank? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[equalizer]

Ok
I do think you will need better light. Maybe go with pc's,VHO, or better yet metal halide. You do not have to start all over again to add an anemone. However they are right about it stinging your other corals. Once it has found a happy home it will plant its foot and stay.
Make sure you have all reef safe animals in the tank. Or else you can say goodbye to your anemone.
A fairly hardy anemone is the rose bulb tip anemone AKA (RBTA)

 

[sergeant]

Welcome to the board.
I can tell you about my personal experience with anemones. They do require strong lighting and most preffered a mature stable tank. In addition good quality water, a sandy bottom and plenty of crevices in living rocks. Most of them feed mainly from the product of their own zooxanthllae but will accept weekly feedings of frozen krill, shrimp, squid or chopped mussel. There are many of them and they are all different one way or another. Good luck.

 

[dacia]

Anenomes are very hard to keep. As was stated before, though, you do not need to start your tank over. If you start over, it might make it even more difficult to keep an already difficult creature.
I would suggest going for metal halides to keep anenomes. I have heard that they do well with VHO lighting, but prefer the stronger MH lights just like clams.
They do have a tendency to bother other things in your tank, so do your research on everything before you buy.
PS: many LFS lie to make moolah...

 

[snailheave]

advice from first store is better.
they do lie just so they can sell you stuff. you learn as much as you can from whatever source you can get, be it online or books, and show them that you are not just a kid in a candy store.

 

[dacia]

You might also want to be aware that LR can be added to the tank at any time without destroying an already stable environment. You can add LR before, during, or after a cycle. Actually, more LR can mean more stable, not less stable, therefore starting the tank over completely is not necessary. Just add your LR while keeping an eye on your water parameters. You'll see what I mean. Starting completely over will just add more time to your itinerary that you do not need.

 

[greatfullreefer]

Originally posted by malves
There are a yellow tang, foxface,

Dont mean to get off topic but do not listen to the store that said these fish will be ok in a 30 gallon.

 

[bang guy]

The first store is giving you some pretty good advice in my opinion.
The Tang and Foxface will probably not survive long in your current setup.

 

[birdy]

As long as you add the LR slowly once piece at a time and be sure it is totally cured then you don't have to start all over, But I do think you need more LR, need much better lighting. and the tang and the foxface need to find better homes they require a lot more room.

 

[malves]

It's pretty ignorant for a LFS to be giving bad advise. Well, I've read about it before, guess I have first hand experience now. I guess that's the way the hobby goes. Interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[snailheave]

i've heard that for an average lfs to break even, it needs to move $3000 of goods/livestocks a month.
that's why sometimes they'll say anything to sell you stuff.

 

[sw65galma]

Ok here's what you do....
Don't Listen to either LFS, they are boneheads!
Before you want anything...come here...get 10 opinions and then try to work off that.
You'll see most of the time everyone agrees...There are a few debatable topics..but this isn't one.
So heres the Real Answers to your questions...and some extra answers
1. The Foxface and Yellow Tangs are No NO for a 30 Gallon tank, They need more like 70+ gallons EACH! 55 is pushing it. SaltWater fish NEVER stop growing..They DO not stay small if they are in a small tank, Instead they stress out and Die.
2. You lights DO need to be upgraded. You don't NEED metal Halides contrary to what people say. The less expensive (in relative terms) lights would do...Anenomes need lots of light..
3. You DO NOT need to re-cycle your tank
4. LR WOULD help, but is not Necessary. But with your current filter setup it would not be a bad idea, Unless you increase your amount of filters..

 

[ophiura]

I am assuming, from the description, that you have an eclipse system? Is it a 29g tank or a 30 long (36")? If an exlipse system, I would suggest that you retrofit the lighting to PC bulbs, add a significant amount of LR, remove the tang/foxface...or at least one of them. I would add additional powerheads for circulation if you have not already. Once you have added your LR, I would let the tank mature quite a few months more.
What are your specific water parameters, especially pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
In addition, it is important to ask what type of anemone you were considering? Some (IMO), like Condylactus are hardier than others , like Sebae. Bulb and long tentacles can come in somewhere in the middle.

 

[malves]

kH- 10
pH- 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate <10
The tank is one of those eclipse jobbers. I went to the LFS today and arranged a trade in for the way way to big fish, so that's going to be dealt with.
Regarding anemone choice, I have not yet got too far into deciding what I am wanting to put in the tank yet. I have just been evaluating and learning what I need to do before I get to that point.
Thanks to the advice I have recieved, I have been able to sit back, take a deep breath, and realign my sights with the system. I really do appreciate the tips.

 

[malves]

sorry, the tank is a 29 gal show

 

[sw65galma]

Originally posted by ophiura
Condylactus are hardier than others , like Sebae. Bulb and long tentacles can come in somewhere in the middle.
I thought clowns won't host in Condys?

 

[ophiura]

It depends on the clowns. Some are not too picky, some are. I have heard of some clowns taking to a condy, though when I sold them, I always said that this was not a "hosting" anemone. But in terms of the "needs" of anemones in general, there is a scale. It starts pretty high in general, though.
Excellent to trade in the fish! Great that you took the advice and looked into that ASAP. Especially important because you have the 29 show and not the 30....only 1 g difference but a substantial one in terms of tank length. There are retrofit lights available for those eclipse tanks that would get you PC lights at a minimum. You could probably figure out a search for it.
How about your circulation? Do you have more powerheads in there? The 29 g tank is a popular smaller tank so you could search for that to see how people have it set up. Not sure how many go with the eclipse but worth doing some ground work to see who has made it work and how.
But again, really must applaud you for not only asking before buying, but taking immediate action based on some of the replies. :cheer:

 

[birdy]

Once you do get your ducks in a row so to speak, I would recommend a CLONED bubble tip anemone, they seem to do the best as far as anemone's go. Be sure it is a clone though, don't get a wild caught. Learn as much as you can about them before you get them and talk to the owner of the original anemone (the one the clone came from) and try to simulate tank environment.
And just so you know I am not talking about some weird science experiment an anemone clone is just a natural splitting of an anemeone.

 

[nm reef]

The folks here have offered some great advice....hopefully you'll be able to develop the kind of system you'd like to have. Sadly some LFS's are not interested in developing systems...only short term profits. Often at the expense of the creatures they sell and the customers they rip off.
It seems to me you are interested in learning and doing things the right way...thats a positive. Try a on-line search for a article titled "Reefkeeping 101"...it is full of some great advice from tank selection to filtration to stocking. Check it out....and best of luck with your system.

 

[malves]

You guys are awesome. I am hooked on this board. I will certainly come back for more. Keep up the good advice!