Tips for a nem/clown only tank?

lastlight · #1 09-10-2010, 05:12 AM

The idea of keeping my Solana running in the kitchen after I transfer my sps to the bigger tank has really grown on me. Now I want to keep some type of anemone and a pair of black clowns...not sure what type yet.

What sort of things should I consider and how much flow will I need for say a RBTA or something?

The tank is 34g, will have a tiny bit of sand, few rocks, 150 mh, Tunze 9002. What I was thinking of doing is do my water changes from the big tank. Rather than toss out my 10 gallons every week or two...use those gallons to do a water change on the Solana. I figure SPS require the more pristine water but maybe I am wrong there? The 9002 does not perform well in my opinion...might that be an issue?

I have a couple mj1200s I'd want to use for flow and had an idea to attach a piece of 1/2" pvc to the intakes of each. pvc extends to the bottom of the tank and has a ton of holes drilled. This should be a very nem-friendly tank then shouldn't it?

Any advice or ideas...please share!

Delphinus · #2 09-10-2010, 05:23 AM

I'm not sure I'd recycle tank water but otherwise the idea of your Solana for an anemone species tank is full of win. Some of the greatest minds in this hobby and handsomest people I have ever known have known to run anemone tanks and doing so can only improve your standing in the world.

Skimmer being sucky is probably not as much of a concern given that anemones, when healthy, can tolerate elevated levels of nitrate but that said it's better not to test the limits. You could always start with the 9002 and see how it goes and upgrade later if need be.

The rest of the setup sounds fine. I've found that of all the anemone species I've kept, they've appreciated an alternating surge/slack cycle. Not necessary, a static flow condition will do fine but whoosh-pause-whoosh-pause simulates wave action better at the zones they typically occupy. This might not apply to all species.

lastlight · #3 09-10-2010, 05:27 AM

Where are you? I'm sitting here staring at your grayed out name on msn. What ever happened to us man? I mean...this is NEMS I'm talkin' bout

reefwars · #4 09-10-2010, 05:38 AM

You could always alternate one from tank one mixed new you'd save in half your salt purchases, light has always been the issue for me for moving overall my long tentacle loves direct light on a flat surface while my bta's tend to take to slopes. If theyarent happy with flow most will move anyways and a good skimmer is essential as their buddy clowns make a ness of food and some other tankmates will steal food from slower nem's stirring up a mess. Watch the fingers on your overflow if you have one like that mine gotbit like that not easy to get off lol

what kind of nem ya gettin ????

lastlight · #5 09-10-2010, 05:44 AM

Not sure what kind would be well suited for this tank. I'm thinking the new and clowns would be all that live in there but maybe a few softies and things I don't want to risk in the sps tank? I'm sure I can just skim wetter and get more performance out of the 9002 than I've had thus far. Once I knew I was transferring it all out I gave up on the skimmer and have just relied on water changes for the last few weeks.

Delphinus · #6 09-10-2010, 05:47 AM

I think your Solana would make a wicked setup for a RBTA and then whatever clowns you prefered. Softeys like zoanthids and yellow polyps would fill it out super sharp and maybe a few smaller LPS like maybe blastos or a couple acans would all do fine together methinks.

reefwars · #7 09-10-2010, 10:30 PM

heres some nice ones i liked :

hopes this gives you some ideas for your tank i would love any of these

ponokareefer · #8 09-10-2010, 10:48 PM

I've actually got my RSM130 set up as an anemone/clown tank, just haven't found an anemone yet. I ended getting a pair of Clarkii clowns, as they host a very wide variety of anemones, and found a pair going crazy in a BTA at the pet store, so I know they like anemones. Clarkii's get quite black as well.
Your setup sounds really good thus far. I have a MJ1200 for additional flow as well, but would love an MP10. The anemone proof powerhead sounds like a good idea as well. One thing about BTA's though, they can move around a lot sometimes and so any corals are at risk for being killed. Also, they can find their way into overflows easily as well. For this reason, I have decided to stay away from BTA's.
Long tenacle anemones are another option, as they like the sand, so they don't tend to move around as much area. They can, but not as much typically.
I've actually decided to go with a haddoni anemone. They are the smallest of all carpets, require the least light and are good with lower flow. They live in the gravel, so the likelyhood of them going into an overflow or powerhead is reduced as well. I've done a fair amount of research on them, and they seem to actually be quite hardy, for anemones. They definitely will be the only thing in the tank, and no other fish can be in their either, so it works great as an anemone/clownfish setup.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #9 09-10-2010, 10:42 PM

I've been recycling my reef water into the fowlr for a couple of years no problem. Your reef is probably a lot cleaner & with a lower bioload with far more frequent wc so I think it should be fine. I use a HK2 in my wife's anemone cube tank with the rocks in the center & nems away from the ph.