Thoughts on Anemones??

sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hi all,
I have been into keeping SW tanks now for a few year... I have had anemones (bought one and it split like crazy, ended up with about 11 separate small ones). This was in a 29g nano tank.
I lurk around this forum most weekdays when I have some downtime at work and such. I read a lot of posts with folks asking about keeping an anemone, or what to do once they get one. Most go something like this, " I have this Nem that won't stay put, and I have to move my corals. What can I do to keep it in one spot."
After being in this hobby I will never keep an anemone in a reef tank... An anemone only tank would be very cool, but I would not keep one in my beloved reef.
How about you guys?? They just seem like too much trouble to be worth it. I know that it is not a beginner critter, but it seems like most beginners buy one and then it screws up their tanks.
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
True, I also had one that out grew, never split, of my 20long. An idea I just thought of, if you want one in your reef, then you add a tank divider out of egg create. Or purchase the type that don't move like the tube anemone.
 
deton8it

deton8it

Member
Personally, I love my anemone. I have a Sebae in my 90 gallon reef. My Sebae has been in my tank since April or May '12 without issue. I think most people go about putting their anemone in the tank wrong and therefore, it isn't comfortable and it decides to move. In the wild, what does the anemone like? Are they anemones that live in rocks or sand? Hi flow or low flow? etc,,,I researched my Sebae before I put it in, I knew the requirements, difficulties, and risks, and I haven't had an issue yet. In fact, it is my favorite thing to watch in the tank. I love it when Maroon Clowns feed it.
John
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Now think back mine never moved either just grew to take over a third of the tank. Had all my coral on other half and they were starting to fight each other so anemone had to go.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
John. I love hearing that... Maybe it is just all the new hobbyist having trouble posts that keep me down on anemones?? I think you did your critter justice by researching
The tube anemones do look very cool as well, great suggestion Mr. Limpid. Not that I am running out to buy one. I am still on the side that they are more trouble then they are worth. But I am glad to hear a couple opinions where folks have had success.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
I have had anemones for years. They move, that's what they do. You can't stop them from moving. If you get lucky they will stay put for a while. Kind of like all the other things in the tank nothing in saltwater is stagnant. Fish, inverts, micro and macro org. Everything is always moving around. I have some corals left over from different tanks but nothing spectacular. So I started this time around with one and now have four. Once they heal up from the split Iwill have a third of the tank nice rbta anemones. Sweet
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
have had a rbta in a reef for over 8 yrs only split 2 times basically stayed in the same spot for over 5 yrs.The only time it moved a little was when I changed to led
 
deton8it

deton8it

Member
LOL, I set myself up for failure. I posted my comment about my anemone not moving since I got it last April or May and the anemone moved last night. It didn't move much, maybe 3 or 4 inches, but regardless, it moved. It was moving back behind a rock this morning until my lights came on. Once they came on it came back out to the front of the tank.
John
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deton8it http:///t/395009/thoughts-on-anemones#post_3516617
LOL, I set myself up for failure. I posted my comment about my anemone not moving since I got it last April or May and the anemone moved last night. It didn't move much, maybe 3 or 4 inches, but regardless, it moved. It was moving back behind a rock this morning until my lights came on. Once they came on it came back out to the front of the tank.
John

That's funny. Isn't that the way... Kind of like the announcers curse in sports. I hope it settles in again for you John.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I currently have 3 nems in my 55, a sebae, RBTA and a rainbow BTA. The sebae was my first nem and settled in right away. It has only gradually moved and that was when I switched lighting. i would never have a reef tank without an anemone.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I like anemones, but mainly different types of tube anemones. Tube anemones are too cool to feed. :D
I've bought and sold a few anemones and I have dealt with tanks that have anemones in them, but I have never personally owned one. Watching them in other peoples tanks is good enough for me.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/395009/thoughts-on-anemones#post_3517536
I like anemones, but mainly different types of tube anemones. Tube anemones are too cool to feed. :D
I've bought and sold a few anemones and I have dealt with tanks that have anemones in them, but I have never personally owned one. Watching them in other peoples tanks is good enough for me.
I may need to look into a tube. They look pretty cool.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Whoops, wasn't done, what about the bubble anemone?
When you see references to BTA or RBTA, we are referring to the bubble tipped anemone. These guys can be pretty cool, but are known to be wanderers.
 
deton8it

deton8it

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/395009/thoughts-on-anemones#post_3516618

That's funny. Isn't that the way... Kind of like the announcers curse in sports. I hope it settles in again for you John.
BTW, it settled that day. It think it moved because I messed up the flow the previous day. I pulled all of my power heads and cleaned them but when I put them back I bumped one of them slightly down. I pulled it back up and the anemone hasn't budged. I think he moved because he was probably getting more flow than he was used to.
John
 
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