[bleueau187]

I would like to try to keep my 1st anemone. My 55 gal has been running well for about 1 year along with the thirty gallon sump. The water levels are good and the lighting is sufficient i think (4 watts per gallon). Is there like a "beginner anemone", or does anyone have any suggestions on hardy anemones? Also if you suggest an anemone would you tell me which clownfish it will host (i head they do better if you keep them with clowns). Thanks

[e_baer]

A bubble tip anemone would probably be your best bet. They need AT LEAST 3 wpg, which you have. They host all sorts of clowns. The good thing about this anemone is that it is relativels easy to care for.

[bleueau187]

ok great, but how do you acclimate one??

[e_baer]

there are acclimation guides all over the internet...sorry i cant be more precise, i havnt had an anemone for many months now. drip acclimation would never hurt.

[Krazy]

Do you have 4 watts of Power Compact (PC) lightings or Halides/T5 lighting...

If its PC ligting, this could be an issue...

AS far as acclimation, you'd temp float it in your sump (while still in the bag) then drip acclimate it until your salinty matched...

I'd do some more research and get to know this creature before you go hands on....

[blind1993]

oh and take it really slow when driping u do not want to stress it out more than it is already.

[bleueau187]

y would it be an issue if its pc lighting?

[e_baer]

sometimes its not enough for the anemone to survive.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by bleueau187

y would it be an issue if its pc lighting?

PC compared to T5 or Metal Halides is very weak, it doesnt penetrate the water like MH or T5's do...

Totally different kind of light.

Anemones enjoy very intense light, usually the more the better...

[sigsauer]

I've got a bubble tip and it's currently under the half of the tank with 4 110w vho bulbs. It's found a crevice it likes that's out of the direct light. It's been doing great and my gold stripe maroons love it.

[SweeTang22]

Originally Posted by Krazy K

PC compared to T5 or Metal Halides is very weak, it doesnt penetrate the water like MH or T5's do...

Totally different kind of light.

Anemones enjoy very intense light, usually the more the better...

everytime im at the LFS their annemones are right up at the surface. they use power compact and highly recommend them, would this be the reason for them being up at the surface?

[reefnoob1991]

Somewhere I read that the PC's were just as efficient as T-5s down to like 23 inches of water...but I've used PCs 108 watts over my biocube and my BTA has been doing fine

[e_baer]

i had my bta under compact flouresnts. i had 4 65w bulbs. it did fine.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by SweeTang22

everytime im at the LFS their annemones are right up at the surface. they use power compact and highly recommend them, would this be the reason for them being up at the surface?

yes, if they are up high and stay there then pc's will be alright with good feedings...

[SweeTang22]

Originally Posted by Krazy K

yes, if they are up high and stay there then pc's will be alright with good feedings...

seemed obvious but thanks for clearing that up for me!!

[jipo123]

metal halides are amazing when keeping you anemones alive... i have a 250 watts. of metal halide in my 55, thats 4.5 watts per gallon, and i have 4 anemones in there, with two on the bottom of the tank.

the bubble tips tend to be more expensive then the long tentacle ones. such as the rose bubble is most likely to be over $100

with PC you cant ever be sure that they will stay up top, before i got my MH i have 5 watts Per/gallon and lost all my anemones.

hope that helps some-Good luck

[dfurbee]

I have had two under PC's and they are just fine.

[jipo123]

they seem to do fine sometimes, i think it depends mostly on the anemone, and how many watts per gallon it needs.