Anemone Survival?

[Oscar]

Ok, I am getting a better feel for peoples experiences with anemones. Sounds like general success although some babying and cautious care is required.

A couple of more questions regarding improving success:

1. How old should a tank be before considering an anemone (probably a BTA)
2. To allow the anemone to move around and select its preferred site should the tank only be minimally stocked with corals?
3. What is the minimal tank size for a BTA? I have a Cad 39G but ~ 1/3 of that volume is dedicated to 4 chambers in the back that house additional live rock rubble, skimmer, refugia and return pump/heater.

[mike31154]

1. I had my 75 gal running almost 6 months, but it was a second hand tank with well established LR and sandbed. Depends largely on your water quality/stability I would say.

2. I don't have many corals yet, just a few zoas, so I can't comment on this.

3. Not sure there is a minimal size of tank per se, but they do grow quickly when conditions are ideal and you feed them regularly. Water quality is the issue I guess. If you can keep that stable in a smaller tank, the nem should be fine.

Originally Posted by Oscar

Ok, I am getting a better feel for peoples experiences with anemones. Sounds like general success although some babying and cautious care is required.

A couple of more questions regarding improving success:

1. How old should a tank be before considering an anemone (probably a BTA)

2. To allow the anemone to move around and select its preferred site should the tank only be minimally stocked with corals?

3. What is the minimal tank size for a BTA? I have a Cad 39G but ~ 1/3 of that volume is dedicated to 4 chambers in the back that house additional live rock rubble, skimmer, refugia and return pump/heater.

[Oscar]

Thanks Mike. Still working towards stabilizing water parameters.

[trilinearmipmap]

I would suggest one year of having a reef tank going before adding an anemone.

If I were to do it again, I would use pvc pipe maybe 2" or 3" diameter, maybe a 3" to 4" length of it with an end cap on it, find or make a crevice or hole in the rock to put the pipe in end cap down, choosing a nice locations for the display of the anemone. The BTA wants a location out of strong current, in light but not too strong, where it can keep its foot anchored in a dark and protected place. My BTA's unfortunately like to hide in the back of the tank. This way you could choose the location for your BTA ahead of time.