How long until I can add anenome?

[dhmx220]

My 30 gallon tank has been set up 2 months so far. I currently have a pair of clowns and I am wanting to add an anenome for them. My parameteres are stable, just need to bring nitrates down, they are at 20ppm apparently. Salinity is at 1.024. Can I add an anenome soon?

 

[heathlindner25]

I know others will Chime in soon, but if your at the fish store now I would say hold off a bit.

 

[rdnelson]

Yup, I would hold off until the tank is at least 6 months old if I were you. They need stability and it will take a while for the tank to settle in. For the next few months, things will change on you pretty quick and it could affect the anemone. You also have to consider the lighting. What kind of lighting are you running? The clowns will do fine without out one for the time being. Besides, there is no guaranty the they will host. Patients is the key.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

dhmx220;803352 wrote: My 30 gallon tank has been set up 2 months so far. I currently have a pair of clowns and I am wanting to add an anenome for them. My parameteres are stable, just need to bring nitrates down, they are at 20ppm apparently. Salinity is at 1.024. Can I add an anenome soon?

Have you considered adding a shroom? I'm not sure how long you have to wait to add, but your clowns may like them. Research first, I was told some shrooms are hardy.

If you add an anemone, the anemone may kill other corals if you decide you want a few corals later. You may already be knowledgable of this, I just wanted to add it here for you to consider. Good luck!

 

[kilralpine]

Those nitrates are too high for an anemone yet, like everyone else said I would give it a few more weeks at minimum; make sure you have a regular water change routine planned out and make sure you keep your equipment clean and good to go and you'll be fine.

 

[hughes81]

dhmx220;803352 wrote: My 30 gallon tank has been set up 2 months so far. I currently have a pair of clowns and I am wanting to add an anenome for them. My parameteres are stable, just need to bring nitrates down, they are at 20ppm apparently. Salinity is at 1.024. Can I add an anenome soon?

You will want a minimum of 6 months, let your nitrates get to at least 5ppm. My nitrates are at 3ppm and my lta will move around the tank about once a month.

IMO if your are wanting your clowns to host somewhere buy a big frog spawn or something like that you will not have to worry about an anemone moving around and pissing any other corals off.

 

[kf2008]

Perhaps I'm a contrarian but I got an rbta approx. 3 months after initial setup, and it has been fine (eating, bubbling tips, color retention, etc) since then. I used live rock and sand which I think help with cycle time. Sounds like you're being very studious so chances of success are greater......

As mentioned earlier, lighting is fairly important for nems.

Btw, no guarantee that your clowns will host the anemone though the chances of hosting are greater if the clowns have yet to host other corals.

 

[sleepyreef]

kf2008;803478 wrote:
Btw, no guarantee that your clowns will host the anemone though the chances of hosting are greater if the clowns have yet to host other corals.

+1

I have two clowns and a RBTA and I don't think the clowns even notice it in the tank. My clowns are Ocellaris and I think they have a reputation for not hosting as easily as some others.