Okay, the answers to these questions may be really obvious, but better safe then sorry. First, if I buy RO water for my tank do I need to treat the water at all before adding salt mix? Does the RO process clean everything out of the water? Okay second, I just got an Aqua C Remora last week, I filled up my tank with tap water and have the skimmer on there for an equipment test... It is a week later and the collection cup is all the way down and still empty. Is this to be expected, or should I be getting something in the collection cup? I was also expecting it to be a lot louder than it is, so that is a relief :dance Okay, finally, I know lighting for anemones has been beat to death (and they will not be a consideration for a long while), but would a duel strip fluorescent that excepts T8, T10 and T12 bulbs be enough for a 29 gallon? I am thinking about Entacmaea Quadricolor or Condylactis Gigantea once my tank has matured. This is the light set up I was looking at... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3800&ref=2051&subref=AG&N=2004+113177 Thanks!
Hopefully my last newbie question
- Thread starter cthopper
- Start date
Nope, you don't need to do anything to the RO other than add salt. Once the tank is running, you may need some supplements for pH stability, calcium, etc, but those should be added if tests indicate the need to the tank itself or the topoff water.
If there are not any organisms in the tank, there isn't anything in the water for the skimmer to remove.
If you're wanting an anenome for hosting, a condy won't do--but, they are among the easiest to support, and 4-5 wpg of light will suffice for most, along with regular feeding. I'd be leary of putting on in a 29--if healthy, they can get huge and can damage other inverts.
If there are not any organisms in the tank, there isn't anything in the water for the skimmer to remove.
If you're wanting an anenome for hosting, a condy won't do--but, they are among the easiest to support, and 4-5 wpg of light will suffice for most, along with regular feeding. I'd be leary of putting on in a 29--if healthy, they can get huge and can damage other inverts.
tubes. Accepts both T8, T10 and T12 bulbs. Comes with 2 - 9325ºK bulbs. That should be enough light. Clowns really don't need an anemone host and lots of times it will just makes them a lot more aggressive. They will host in a number of softies and some sps species that are on the whole much easier to tend to than the anemones.
That having been said if you still have to get an anemone for your clown E. Quadricolor is a good choice especially the captive raised ones. They tend to be a bit more expensive but, they can also take the adverse conditions in home tanks much better than their wild caught kin.
You are also quite correct in wanting to wait I'd give it between 8 months and a year at least before adding one. There are a couple of reasons to do this first it gives the small life that makes up a good % of their diets time to develop sufficient populations to sustain them. It also gives you time ,"especially if this is your first go with a reef", to practice keeping your water conditions stable and to get the feel of your tank.
There are issues with anemones that every reefer that wants to purchase one should be aware of. They don't take very well to sudden changes in water condition. They can will and do eat other fish ," with a propensity to eat in order of price from the top down." They also will engage in chemical war fare with sps and soft corals so you'd probably need to run carbon in the tank all the time if you want to keep both.
You probably already knew most or all of this but, better too much than not enough
hth
Chris
That having been said if you still have to get an anemone for your clown E. Quadricolor is a good choice especially the captive raised ones. They tend to be a bit more expensive but, they can also take the adverse conditions in home tanks much better than their wild caught kin.
You are also quite correct in wanting to wait I'd give it between 8 months and a year at least before adding one. There are a couple of reasons to do this first it gives the small life that makes up a good % of their diets time to develop sufficient populations to sustain them. It also gives you time ,"especially if this is your first go with a reef", to practice keeping your water conditions stable and to get the feel of your tank.
There are issues with anemones that every reefer that wants to purchase one should be aware of. They don't take very well to sudden changes in water condition. They can will and do eat other fish ," with a propensity to eat in order of price from the top down." They also will engage in chemical war fare with sps and soft corals so you'd probably need to run carbon in the tank all the time if you want to keep both.
You probably already knew most or all of this but, better too much than not enough
hth
Chris
Thank you very much for the reply. The thing about the anemones for me are the appearance. I am very captivated by their appearance. Once I found out about the whole hosting thing I was REALLY intrigued. I have read about the aggression factor associated with them as well (in regards to the host). Is that within the species and out? I was planning on a couple of clowns, maybe a longnose hawkfish, some starfish and a cleaning crew. Would that set up be okay? I was also concerned with the cleaning crew in regards to hawkfish- I have read that they feed on shrimp, does that include all cleaner shrimp? If the hawkfish is a bad idea what else would be recommended in that set up, if anything?
Also, you mentioned running carbon. I have heard not to run carbon. I do not necessarily plan on keeping soft coral (excluding what may end up on my live rock). Would you recommend it under those circumstances with an anemone or two?
Thanks again for all your help. Not to worry, I am taking my time and will do my best not to make any harmful decisions. I know what a delicate procedure this is so I am not taking any steps until I am well informed. I will probably order the light and cover next and then get my water. This forum is wonderful!
Also, you mentioned running carbon. I have heard not to run carbon. I do not necessarily plan on keeping soft coral (excluding what may end up on my live rock). Would you recommend it under those circumstances with an anemone or two?
Thanks again for all your help. Not to worry, I am taking my time and will do my best not to make any harmful decisions. I know what a delicate procedure this is so I am not taking any steps until I am well informed. I will probably order the light and cover next and then get my water. This forum is wonderful!
To answer some of your questions. The aggression issue yes the clowns will aggressive to both members of their own species and to other fish that get to close to their anemone. The level of aggression depends on a couple of issues like tank size, tank mates and most importantly the type of clown you want to keep Maroon and tomato clowns being somewhere near the top of the attitude list and perculas and occelaris clowns being near the bottom.
There are several ways to mitigate the clown aggression issue. Try to get to young clowns out of the same batch they will work out who's going to be a girl and who is going to be a boy with a great deal less fighting than with two strangers. As to their lever of aggression to other fish ," again this all depends on what sort of clown you're after" there are a couple of things that you can do. If you want to get an aggressive species like the tomato for instance I'd add it or them after all other live stock was place in the tank including their anemone. This will usually work unless the anemone has decided to locate in someone else's territory," not to common since they eat fish." This will give your shyer inhabitants a chance to get themselves established before the clowns come to town.
I'd also try to make sure that the anemone is significantly larger than the clown fish. I've seen all too often cases of an anemone loved to death by it's clowns. Especially the more aggressive species. I'd also give the anemone a month or so to adjust to the tank and to find a place to settle in.
As too the hawk well lets put it this way I'd trust it with a cleaner shrimp about as far as I can throw a 500 gallon tank full of live rock. I'm not sure what else to recommend to you there are a lot of different choice out there! I know how frustrating it is to want a critter only to find out that you're going to have a nasty in tank situation if you get it. Trust me frustration is much better than trying to make it work.
As to the carbon it depends on what you want to keep in your tank. I'm in the minority on this board I only run the carbon if my water is cloudy, one of my critters starts looking droopy or in other unusual situations most of the folks here run it 24/7.
hth welcome to the wonderful world of salt water the surgeon general warn that you may become addicted with the purchase of you first fish.... Oh well probably too late for all that.
Chris
p.s. If you're doing this right you never stop asking newbie question :dance
There are several ways to mitigate the clown aggression issue. Try to get to young clowns out of the same batch they will work out who's going to be a girl and who is going to be a boy with a great deal less fighting than with two strangers. As to their lever of aggression to other fish ," again this all depends on what sort of clown you're after" there are a couple of things that you can do. If you want to get an aggressive species like the tomato for instance I'd add it or them after all other live stock was place in the tank including their anemone. This will usually work unless the anemone has decided to locate in someone else's territory," not to common since they eat fish." This will give your shyer inhabitants a chance to get themselves established before the clowns come to town.
I'd also try to make sure that the anemone is significantly larger than the clown fish. I've seen all too often cases of an anemone loved to death by it's clowns. Especially the more aggressive species. I'd also give the anemone a month or so to adjust to the tank and to find a place to settle in.
As too the hawk well lets put it this way I'd trust it with a cleaner shrimp about as far as I can throw a 500 gallon tank full of live rock. I'm not sure what else to recommend to you there are a lot of different choice out there! I know how frustrating it is to want a critter only to find out that you're going to have a nasty in tank situation if you get it
. Trust me frustration is much better than trying to make it work. As to the carbon it depends on what you want to keep in your tank. I'm in the minority on this board I only run the carbon if my water is cloudy, one of my critters starts looking droopy or in other unusual situations most of the folks here run it 24/7.
hth welcome to the wonderful world of salt water the surgeon general warn that you may become addicted with the purchase of you first fish.... Oh well probably too late for all that.
Chris
p.s. If you're doing this right you never stop asking newbie question :dance
Thank you for the info. I am used to aggressive fish, I have a couple of Oscars and a Dempsey in Freshwater. I did not know that anemones eat fish, though. What kind of fish do they eat? My main concern with the hawk was that it could eat bristleworms, but I have heard that they are not necesarily bad (bristleworms). It is amazing how many different opinions there are. Okay, back to the carbon, do you think I should use my canister filter with carbon. It will be a 29 gallon with maybe anemones, definitely live rock, and definitely clownfish. I will have a cleaning crew and any coral will just be what is on the live rock (that doesn't die off). I wasn't planning on using my canister, but I could probably cut out a powerhead if I did use it. Is that a good idea? Thanks again!
Instead of Anemone's, you may consider some of the easier soft corals. Leather toadstool corals have been know to host clowns.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41803
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41803
I have been thinking about changing my light idea to a duel Compact Fluorescent set. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11418&ref=2051&subref=AG&N=2004+113176
My only concern is that my aquarium is at 78° without lights. Do Compact Fluorescents put off enough heat for me to be concerned?
Thanks,
Chris
My only concern is that my aquarium is at 78° without lights. Do Compact Fluorescents put off enough heat for me to be concerned?
Thanks,
Chris