How long did you wait to add your Anemone?

Pimps · 11/21/2009, 03:01 PM

I've been told to wait 3 months, 6 months, and up to 1 year before adding an anemone to my new tank (35g), so how long did you all wait?

Be honest!

loosecannon · 11/21/2009, 03:18 PM

It depends on the Anemone . some are Harter then others.

Pimps · 11/21/2009, 03:21 PM

I see. Well I've looking for a BTA or LTA for my 35g that hosts only a pair of True Perc clowns & inverts atm.

jmahfouz · 11/21/2009, 03:23 PM

i would wait at least a year unless you have cycled live sand and rock already then maybe 6 months

frewd · 11/21/2009, 03:29 PM

i added in 3 months i waited for the cycle and made sure params were good.

lewk · 11/21/2009, 03:34 PM

Waited 3 months for my BTA. Took him one night to get settled and he's been happy so far.

uncleof6 · 11/21/2009, 03:41 PM

I would wait until at least a year, fully cycled does not equal STABLE, pristine water conditions. You have been in the hobby for a while, so I will not presume that you don't have enough experience for anemones, rather suggest that you research BTAs, and LTAs throughly to find out their precise needs, and these vary from specie to specie, although, intense lighting, pristine water conditions, and good flow, are pretty common. Most anemones die within 6 mos of being removed from the ocean, due to not having proper conditions to meet their needs. Also, only one species per tank, or they will go to war. (chemical warfare)

Regards,

Jim

ryan_ · 11/21/2009, 03:54 PM

I only waited 2 months and mine did just fine. It all depends on how stable your tank is.

Pimps · 11/21/2009, 04:28 PM

Thank you all for the replies.

My tank ran with LR & sand for over a month before adding any inverts or fish. Params gave been great, had a minimal algae outbreak a few days after adding the first clown fish but the CUC inverts demolished it shortly and since then everything has been stable.

Korrine · 11/21/2009, 04:55 PM

I've read of people adding a nem to their tank after 1 month of the tank being set up. That said they did use some rock and water from an existing tank so it was basically cloning a tank.

I'm afraid to have a nem. Why you might ask....
1) my tank is only 29g. I'd only attempt a rbta and it'd easily take up half my tank, not to mention having to fish them out if it splits.

2)If I change flow I don't want it moving around the tank stinging everything in it's warpath until it finds it's happy place again.

3)If I change my lighting (different bulb or w/e) I don't want it leaving it's war path behind as it moves around the tank.

4)Some can actually eat your fish!!

5)They are so sensetive they can die from small changes w/in the tank.

Richard Reefer · 11/21/2009, 05:00 PM

I waited three months for a BTA and have no problems since, just have to make sure your tank is very stable...

motoms · 11/21/2009, 05:01 PM

I would defiantly wait at least 1 year

jenjen · 11/21/2009, 07:13 PM

I added my BTA after 11 months. I wanted to wait until the tank was mature and I was able to maintain exact parameters all the time.

JamesJR · 11/21/2009, 07:59 PM

It all depends on your setup, how experienced you are and what species you intend to keep. If you have never kept an anemone or even a saltwater tank before I'd make sure you get your thumb wet and get the husbandry skills down pat before you attempt an anemone. Keep in mind, most clown hosting anemones are tougher to keep than many corals.
With a tank with optimum equipment you should be able to keep an anemone within 3-6 months at a minimum, wait longer for more difficult species.

We could use some more info regarding your tank set up.

dudley moray · 11/21/2009, 08:00 PM

i would wait until you are ready ... as in research the husbandry required until there is nothing left to learn about the nem you plan on keeping for me it took 6 months of reading by then my tank was about 8 months old but i've come to the realization my 65 gal is too small for my bta now almost 2 years later i would think about a bigger tank aswell if i were you !
i would also add alot more live rock !!!

reefermadness85 · 11/21/2009, 08:08 PM

3 months as long as water quality is good. worked for me.

Baltimore Bryan · 11/21/2009, 08:12 PM

I added a bta after 4 months because I thought my tank had good, stable params and that I was ready for one. Well, I was wrong haha. After 1 month I made a stupid mistake and it bleached. Now I really understand that my tank is far from pristine water, but getting closer everyday. If I were to do my tank over again I wouldn't have added an anemone until at least 6 months, probably 6-8. But thats a guideline for a stable tank, if you know what you are doing and have a tank stable enough for sps in 1 month more power to you, but whatever you do wait until you and your tank are ready.
Good luck.

Rangereefer · 11/21/2009, 08:31 PM

I'd say at least 6 months to a year and make sure you have your intakes on your powerheads covered...powerheads and nems don't get along....j

jbird69 · 11/21/2009, 08:34 PM

I tried anemones too early and they didnt make it. Nothing will foul your tank water worse than an anemone that crawls behind your reef and croaks. A symbiotic clown/anemone team will increase the chances for success. I finally had success after my reef was a year old. Now my BTA is bullet proof and it just split and I made some $$ off it

Pimps · 11/21/2009, 10:06 PM

Thank you all for posting, very good information from everyone.

I have no problem waiting to add a anemone, I do have to do some more research to do and decide on 1 specific species.

Other than the pair of true perc clown fish that are already in my 35g tank, there aren't any other fish I feel I "must have". I'd like to get 1 anemone b/c (a) I love anemone's and (2) I want my clowns to thrive and be as happy as possible in their new home.

This is my first SW tank and I did not plan on getting heavy into corals at all. I basically wanted a pair of clown fish and wanted to add a few fish or invert species around them safely.

Tank info: 35g FOWLR (atm); 15 lbs cured Fiji LR; dimensions are 36x16x13in; BakPak2 Protein Skimmer; MaxiJet 1200 powerhead; HOB filter (for extra gph and filtration); Current Power Compact Dual Satellite Lighting.

@rangereefer - Yea, I'll be getting the gutter guard very soon for my equipment!

discus510 · 11/22/2009, 12:35 AM

1 month now i have a purple a white seabe a blue tip anemone

Hermes` · 11/22/2009, 01:02 AM

added my carpet8 mo, seabe 10mo. Watch those nitrates, it killed my bta

Flipper62 · 11/22/2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimps

I've been told to wait 3 months, 6 months, and up to 1 year before adding an anemone to my new tank (35g), so how long did you all wait?

Be honest!

WELL..you said be honest....

A anemone needs a well established tank, Like a few years. However......In my honest opinion, it should not be kept in any tank smaller than a 90 gallon.

tangfish · 11/22/2009, 02:58 AM

I waited about 3 weeks and it is still alive to this day. It was for 150 gallon take, used 50% of water from and established tank, plenty of live rock (200ibs) and fine crush coral 2 inch bottom and good lighting. Of course this depends on what type anemone you get. I bought the cheapest one from Doc. Foster and Smith. Test the water.

And it worked. Just my exper...

Good luck.

tangfish · 11/22/2009, 03:04 AM

Follow-up,

I move about every 3 years and move all my fish and junk, I don't wait 3 moths,6 months, 1 year to put my stuff back in the tank after a move. I use WELL establish rock and sand 20-40% of the water before I moved and I have about 80-90% live rate. But hey, you can buy stuff at a local store or order on line, and it dies the next 1hr, day, week, and your tank can be established for years.

So take it for what its worth. Just test your water, have the proper light, flow, ect and see what happens, just don't buy something worth a lot. Give it a try, and see waht happens. Have fun, life is short. If it works great, if not you tried.

11/21/2009, 03:01 PM	#1
Pimps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 239	How long did you wait to add your Anemone? I've been told to wait 3 months, 6 months, and up to 1 year before adding an anemone to my new tank (35g), so how long did you all wait? Be honest! __________________ Current Project: 35gallon tank, BakPak2, 2inch sand bed black Tahitian sand, 15lbs cured Fiji rock - Currently cycling Current Tank Info: 25g f/w, 35g s/w

11/21/2009, 03:18 PM	#2
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	It depends on the Anemone . some are Harter then others. __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

11/21/2009, 03:21 PM	#3
Pimps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 239	I see. Well I've looking for a BTA or LTA for my 35g that hosts only a pair of True Perc clowns & inverts atm. __________________ Current Project: 35gallon tank, BakPak2, 2inch sand bed black Tahitian sand, 15lbs cured Fiji rock - Currently cycling Current Tank Info: 25g f/w, 35g s/w

11/21/2009, 03:41 PM	#7
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	I would wait until at least a year, fully cycled does not equal STABLE, pristine water conditions. You have been in the hobby for a while, so I will not presume that you don't have enough experience for anemones, rather suggest that you research BTAs, and LTAs throughly to find out their precise needs, and these vary from specie to specie, although, intense lighting, pristine water conditions, and good flow, are pretty common. Most anemones die within 6 mos of being removed from the ocean, due to not having proper conditions to meet their needs. Also, only one species per tank, or they will go to war. (chemical warfare) Regards, Jim __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

11/21/2009, 04:28 PM	#9
Pimps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 239	Thank you all for the replies. My tank ran with LR & sand for over a month before adding any inverts or fish. Params gave been great, had a minimal algae outbreak a few days after adding the first clown fish but the CUC inverts demolished it shortly and since then everything has been stable. __________________ Current Project: 35gallon tank, BakPak2, 2inch sand bed black Tahitian sand, 15lbs cured Fiji rock - Currently cycling Current Tank Info: 25g f/w, 35g s/w

11/21/2009, 03:23 PM	#4
jmahfouz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 635	i would wait at least a year unless you have cycled live sand and rock already then maybe 6 months

11/21/2009, 03:29 PM	#5
frewd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 57	i added in 3 months i waited for the cycle and made sure params were good.

11/21/2009, 03:34 PM	#6
lewk Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 163	Waited 3 months for my BTA. Took him one night to get settled and he's been happy so far.

11/21/2009, 03:54 PM	#8
ryan_ Yeah...Don't touch that. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Elma, NY Posts: 452	I only waited 2 months and mine did just fine. It all depends on how stable your tank is.

11/21/2009, 04:55 PM	#10
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I've read of people adding a nem to their tank after 1 month of the tank being set up. That said they did use some rock and water from an existing tank so it was basically cloning a tank. I'm afraid to have a nem. Why you might ask.... 1) my tank is only 29g. I'd only attempt a rbta and it'd easily take up half my tank, not to mention having to fish them out if it splits. 2)If I change flow I don't want it moving around the tank stinging everything in it's warpath until it finds it's happy place again. 3)If I change my lighting (different bulb or w/e) I don't want it leaving it's war path behind as it moves around the tank. 4)Some can actually eat your fish!! 5)They are so sensetive they can die from small changes w/in the tank. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

11/21/2009, 05:00 PM	#11
Richard Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 151	I waited three months for a BTA and have no problems since, just have to make sure your tank is very stable...

11/21/2009, 05:01 PM	#12
motoms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 72	I would defiantly wait at least 1 year

11/21/2009, 07:13 PM	#13
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	I added my BTA after 11 months. I wanted to wait until the tank was mature and I was able to maintain exact parameters all the time. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

11/21/2009, 07:59 PM	#14
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	It all depends on your setup, how experienced you are and what species you intend to keep. If you have never kept an anemone or even a saltwater tank before I'd make sure you get your thumb wet and get the husbandry skills down pat before you attempt an anemone. Keep in mind, most clown hosting anemones are tougher to keep than many corals. With a tank with optimum equipment you should be able to keep an anemone within 3-6 months at a minimum, wait longer for more difficult species. We could use some more info regarding your tank set up. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

11/21/2009, 08:00 PM	#15
dudley moray sisternofuselessknowledge Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orillia ontario Posts: 795	i would wait until you are ready ... as in research the husbandry required until there is nothing left to learn about the nem you plan on keeping for me it took 6 months of reading by then my tank was about 8 months old but i've come to the realization my 65 gal is too small for my bta now almost 2 years later i would think about a bigger tank aswell if i were you ! i would also add alot more live rock !!! __________________ We urge hobbyists to develop a good 'BS' detector that will allow you to question information presented to you without any experimental evidence to support it. chris Current Tank Info: 90 gal south pacific biotope 40 gal sump/fuge ,65 gal rebuilding

11/21/2009, 08:08 PM	#16
reefermadness85 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bowling green, ohio Posts: 93	3 months as long as water quality is good. worked for me.

11/21/2009, 08:12 PM	#17
Baltimore Bryan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: US Posts: 237	I added a bta after 4 months because I thought my tank had good, stable params and that I was ready for one. Well, I was wrong haha. After 1 month I made a stupid mistake and it bleached. Now I really understand that my tank is far from pristine water, but getting closer everyday. If I were to do my tank over again I wouldn't have added an anemone until at least 6 months, probably 6-8. But thats a guideline for a stable tank, if you know what you are doing and have a tank stable enough for sps in 1 month more power to you, but whatever you do wait until you and your tank are ready. Good luck.

11/21/2009, 08:31 PM	#18
Rangereefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia, Minnesota Posts: 55	I'd say at least 6 months to a year and make sure you have your intakes on your powerheads covered...powerheads and nems don't get along....j

11/21/2009, 08:34 PM	#19
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	I tried anemones too early and they didnt make it. Nothing will foul your tank water worse than an anemone that crawls behind your reef and croaks. A symbiotic clown/anemone team will increase the chances for success. I finally had success after my reef was a year old. Now my BTA is bullet proof and it just split and I made some $$ off it __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

11/21/2009, 10:06 PM	#20
Pimps Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 239	Thank you all for posting, very good information from everyone. I have no problem waiting to add a anemone, I do have to do some more research to do and decide on 1 specific species. Other than the pair of true perc clown fish that are already in my 35g tank, there aren't any other fish I feel I "must have". I'd like to get 1 anemone b/c (a) I love anemone's and (2) I want my clowns to thrive and be as happy as possible in their new home. This is my first SW tank and I did not plan on getting heavy into corals at all. I basically wanted a pair of clown fish and wanted to add a few fish or invert species around them safely. Tank info: 35g FOWLR (atm); 15 lbs cured Fiji LR; dimensions are 36x16x13in; BakPak2 Protein Skimmer; MaxiJet 1200 powerhead; HOB filter (for extra gph and filtration); Current Power Compact Dual Satellite Lighting. @rangereefer - Yea, I'll be getting the gutter guard very soon for my equipment! __________________ Current Project: 35gallon tank, BakPak2, 2inch sand bed black Tahitian sand, 15lbs cured Fiji rock - Currently cycling Current Tank Info: 25g f/w, 35g s/w

11/22/2009, 12:35 AM	#21
discus510 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 803	1 month now i have a purple a white seabe a blue tip anemone

11/22/2009, 01:02 AM	#22
Hermes` Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA Posts: 67	added my carpet8 mo, seabe 10mo. Watch those nitrates, it killed my bta

11/22/2009, 02:58 AM	#24
tangfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 44	I waited about 3 weeks and it is still alive to this day. It was for 150 gallon take, used 50% of water from and established tank, plenty of live rock (200ibs) and fine crush coral 2 inch bottom and good lighting. Of course this depends on what type anemone you get. I bought the cheapest one from Doc. Foster and Smith. Test the water. And it worked. Just my exper... Good luck.

11/22/2009, 03:04 AM	#25
tangfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 44	Follow-up, I move about every 3 years and move all my fish and junk, I don't wait 3 moths,6 months, 1 year to put my stuff back in the tank after a move. I use WELL establish rock and sand 20-40% of the water before I moved and I have about 80-90% live rate. But hey, you can buy stuff at a local store or order on line, and it dies the next 1hr, day, week, and your tank can be established for years. So take it for what its worth. Just test your water, have the proper light, flow, ect and see what happens, just don't buy something worth a lot. Give it a try, and see waht happens. Have fun, life is short. If it works great, if not you tried.