Old water vs new water

[domsbuddy]

I recently read on this forum that anemones require old water vs new water. I have in the past four months put alot of time and energy bringing back my tank. My 180 tank has been going continuously for about 6 years with mostly fish only. My nitrates historically have always been super high - off the charts. However I have done several large (50 gal + ) water changes and my nitrates are now at a respectable (for me anyway) between 5 - 10.
So do I have old water or new water? I think it is new but certainly better. I expect to continue big water changes in an effort to keep my nitrates low - I have a large sailfin tang as well as a purple and yellow tang.
I have mh 250s w/ 180 vho's. Live sand and about 300 lb of rock that has been in the tank from the beginning.
Is the tank now suitable for an anemone purchase and if so what type?

 

[lmecher]

I would not use the term "old water" I think what you mean is mature system. Nitrates are harmful to anemones. I would not add one to a system that has measurable nitrates. I would never let them get above 5, and if they did, I'd immediately perform several water changes to get them back down. Anemones can be finicky, much more so than your fowler tank you have kept or from your own admission deglected in the past. I hope you plan to make regular water changes and keep those nitrates down once you add an anemone or your just wasting your time and money. It is good though to hear that you are bringing your tank back and caring for it properly again.
There are many things to consider when adding/choosing an anemone. Do you want an anemone to host clowns or just be ornimental? Will any of the fish you already have be incapatable with an anemone? A bta would thrive under your lighting if kept under your MH, in the upper half of the tank.

 

[rod buehle]

It has nothing to do with old water/new water but moreso of old tank/new tank and then its not really about the tank, but the bacteria that has established in the tank. Bacteria colonize on the sub.trate (rock and sand) not in the water column. Are you using any filtration in that set up? Otherwise your tank seems like its ready to try an easier anemone such as a bubble tip AKA E.quadricolor

 

[fragglerock]

I would not introduce an anemone for these reasons, until it is better suitable to the anemone.
#1: For six years it has run with high nitrates. This means that just because it is okay right now, you have to give it time to see how it maintains on a long-term basis.
#2: If you have not found the reason for high nitrates (too many fish, overfeeding, etc.), then you need to find that, because like a car you put a new head in, if you don't find the initial reason for the head blowing in the first place, (bad thermostadt, etc.) it is going to blow again. It's the same concept.
#3: There are so many more questions to answer:
A. How many fish are in the system and what sizes are they?
B. What is the calcium, and alkalynity, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite running right now and how long has it been running like that, sustained?
C. What is your flow-rate? Are you using powerheads? If not, what are you using to assure that flow is maintained in a moderate level to keep nitrates off of the sand bed?
D. What kind of filtration are you using?
E. Do you run a skimmer and if so, is it rated properly to your aquarium?
F. What kinds of corals do you have already and how much coral is present?
I'd sure like to know anemone's specifications in the potential environment and what that environment consists of, first, before anyone can say yes or no.

 

[lmecher]

Originally Posted by FraggleRock
http:///forum/post/2893635
I would not introduce an anemone for these reasons, until it is better suitable to the anemone.
#1: For six years it has run with high nitrates. This means that just because it is okay right now, you have to give it time to see how it maintains on a long-term basis.
#2: If you have not found the reason for high nitrates (too many fish, overfeeding, etc.), then you need to find that, because like a car you put a new head in, if you don't find the initial reason for the head blowing in the first place, (bad thermostadt, etc.) it is going to blow again. It's the same concept.
#3: There are so many more questions to answer:
A. How many fish are in the system and what sizes are they?
B. What is the calcium, and alkalynity, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite running right now and how long has it been running like that, sustained?
C. What is your flow-rate? Are you using powerheads? If not, what are you using to assure that flow is maintained in a moderate level to keep nitrates off of the sand bed?
D. What kind of filtration are you using?
E. Do you run a skimmer and if so, is it rated properly to your aquarium?
F. What kinds of corals do you have already and how much coral is present?
I'd sure like to know anemone's specifications in the potential environment and what that environment consists of, first, before anyone can say yes or no.
If you read the origonal post he admited being neglectful that is the reason for the high nitrates. Proper maintanance and water changes will keep it form blowing.

I think it is a very good thing that this person is now taking better care of the tank.