oceanfishfan
Member
Help me!
- Thread starter oceanfishfan
- Start date
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by cymbal67
you can put an anenome in right after you get the light. waiting a year, like mentioned above is nuts.
False.
Anemones need well established tanks. While a year may be a bit long, I certainly would go recommend a year over a new tank. 6 months or so would be what I would think the earliest would be.
It only takes one slip up on husbandry or water quality to kill an anemone. And, killing an anemone in this size tank will kill everything else.
you can put an anenome in right after you get the light. waiting a year, like mentioned above is nuts.
False.
Anemones need well established tanks. While a year may be a bit long, I certainly would go recommend a year over a new tank. 6 months or so would be what I would think the earliest would be.
It only takes one slip up on husbandry or water quality to kill an anemone. And, killing an anemone in this size tank will kill everything else.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by Oceanfishfan
I have another question what is the name of a good test kit that will get me started?I have one now and i'm not sure of its reliability my pH is 8.2 according to it but my alkalinity is off the charts like 440 and can I add live rock to my tank before I get a better test kit or should I wait?I was pointed in the direction of a salifert test kit?I just cant find an all in one like i'm in need of.Thanks for all of your help
Saliferts are good.
Adding live rock as a tank cycles is actually the best thing to do. It allows the tiny critters in your rock to get established before fish come in and start eating them. The rock also provides adequate surface area for bacteria to grow.
The book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Fenner is also a good one.
My suggestion to ya would be to reconsider your choice of anemones. Anemones are highly toxic and move around. In a tank your size, if the anemone thrives, the carpet anemone will literally take over. A hardier, slightly smaller, anemone like a bubble Tip would be my suggestion.
There is no certainty that a Clownfish will host in your anemone, btw.
Anemones are not considered "reef safe" because of there toxicity. They will move around, and any coral in there way can be wiped out. Also be sure to put sponge prefilters on your powerhead intakes to make sure they don't get sucked into the pump. Like I said above, a dead anemone in 29 gallons of water equals a dead tank.
If your pet store was willing to sell you an anemone in a new, uncycled, non-live rock housing tank with stock lighting then rest assured they will sell you anything. Walk into the store with complete confidence that they are either ignorant, unethical, irresponsible, or all of the above. Take a stroll over to the section where they sell marine books and thumb threw them. Read up about anemones and you'll soon learn what we're saying here is true....
Saliferts are good.
Adding live rock as a tank cycles is actually the best thing to do. It allows the tiny critters in your rock to get established before fish come in and start eating them. The rock also provides adequate surface area for bacteria to grow.
The book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Fenner is also a good one.
My suggestion to ya would be to reconsider your choice of anemones. Anemones are highly toxic and move around. In a tank your size, if the anemone thrives, the carpet anemone will literally take over. A hardier, slightly smaller, anemone like a bubble Tip would be my suggestion.
There is no certainty that a Clownfish will host in your anemone, btw.
Anemones are not considered "reef safe" because of there toxicity. They will move around, and any coral in there way can be wiped out. Also be sure to put sponge prefilters on your powerhead intakes to make sure they don't get sucked into the pump. Like I said above, a dead anemone in 29 gallons of water equals a dead tank.
If your pet store was willing to sell you an anemone in a new, uncycled, non-live rock housing tank with stock lighting then rest assured they will sell you anything. Walk into the store with complete confidence that they are either ignorant, unethical, irresponsible, or all of the above. Take a stroll over to the section where they sell marine books and thumb threw them. Read up about anemones and you'll soon learn what we're saying here is true....
bs21
Member
Oceanfishfan: as far as Salifert test kits go they are the best but you can only buy them individually(unless someone knows otherwise in which case let me know) but you can find alternatives. what test kits are you currently using? I use the RedSea tests and there are two different packages one has Amm., trite, trate, PH, Alk and the other has calcium phosphate and others. They seem to be pretty accurate and the package is probably a little cheaper than the individual Saliferts would be but if you have the money get the Salifert. You can add live rock now, the main thing is it might start another mini cycle depending on whether or not it is fully cured. If you have fish allready you might want to add it in small doses to make sure you don't get a big cycle.
kanicky
Member
Wow, that growth is amazing. However, putting an anenome in at three weeks is not recommended. That is not the "norm," but rather a more individual event.
And, as someone mentioned earlier, clownfish don't always host whatever anenome you put in the tank. There have been several posts where people have put an anenome in specifically for their clownfish to host, and their clownfish won't show the slightest interest in it. Some clownfish will host the zoo's or feather duster right next to the anenome. It's kind of funny
And, as someone mentioned earlier, clownfish don't always host whatever anenome you put in the tank. There have been several posts where people have put an anenome in specifically for their clownfish to host, and their clownfish won't show the slightest interest in it. Some clownfish will host the zoo's or feather duster right next to the anenome. It's kind of funny
oceanfishfan
Member
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by cymbal67
yep, for sure what happens in one tank might not happen in another. i have 2 anenomes and the 2 clowns wont touch the other one.
That's why we say to wait 6 months. Your success cannot be judged as the "norm". Telling someone to put an anemone immediately in a new tank is always bad advice. It *might* survive, but far more likely it will wipe out the tank.
yep, for sure what happens in one tank might not happen in another. i have 2 anenomes and the 2 clowns wont touch the other one.
That's why we say to wait 6 months. Your success cannot be judged as the "norm". Telling someone to put an anemone immediately in a new tank is always bad advice. It *might* survive, but far more likely it will wipe out the tank.
oceanfishfan
Member
Tank update my latest test shows my
Ammonia at 0.50
nitrate 3 at 0
nitrate 2 at 0
my ph at 8.4
salt at 1.023
I'm still hesitant to put in fish other than my lr and I've added a protein skimmer and hooked up my maxi jet 1200.Its been operational for almost 2 weeks and the water is crystal clear.My question being when my ammonia gets to 0 am I ready for my clown fish and cleaner shrimp or should I continue to wait?
Ammonia at 0.50
nitrate 3 at 0
nitrate 2 at 0
my ph at 8.4
salt at 1.023
I'm still hesitant to put in fish other than my lr and I've added a protein skimmer and hooked up my maxi jet 1200.Its been operational for almost 2 weeks and the water is crystal clear.My question being when my ammonia gets to 0 am I ready for my clown fish and cleaner shrimp or should I continue to wait?
oceanfishfan
Member
:notsure: OK my ammonia is at 0.50 but my nitrates are off of the charts at like 10.0 I have a 26gl tank and should I wait to do water changes after the tests start to drop or is now a good time?
1journeyman
Active Member
Nitrate is the normal end result of the nitrogen cycle in most aquariums (unless you have taken further steps... a lot of very porous live rock, deep sand bed, etc.).
Don't worry about doing a water change unless ammonia approaches 1.0
Don't worry about doing a water change unless ammonia approaches 1.0
oceanfishfan
Member
Thats all i have in my tank is lr and ls its been 3 weeks so I had to put one of those fake screens on the back of the tank to make it look like I have fish "L"
oceanfishfan
Member
One question I have for the clown lovers is would you buy the wild caught or the aquacultured?Since they have both on here for sale?
1journeyman
Active Member
Aqua cultured tend to be more healthy.
oceanfishfan
Member
Thanks I wasn't sure and you don't get any more of a green horn than me I appreciate the help!
