20 Gallon Anemone Tank

[trellemania]

Fish continue to quarantine. Thankfully I no longer see any spots on them! Couple more weeks in copper before I switch to prazi

 

[trellemania]

Jan 21 2026

Wow it has been a minute lol

Fish are done with QT and have been pest free for a long time. The tank sat fishless for around 3 months. The maroon clown and damsel that survived are back in the tank. RIP lil skunk clown unfortunately that one did not make it through QT.

I met someone in my town that was trading nems so I traded some of my birdsnest frags from my other tank and now these beautiful anemones are in the 20.

Parameters have stabilized at PO4 0.08 and NO3 18 ppm for nutrients and overall the only nuisance left from the ugly stage is a bit of GHA. Hoping it will slowly continue to dissappear as it has been. I did add copepods not too long ago and continue providing CUC as my halloween hermit crab keeps murdering all of its neighbors (that guy might have to go lol)

Still not sure what I am doing with this tank so I think it will be an anemone tank with softies here and there lol any tips always accepted!

 

[trellemania]

Super awesome news! Kimchi my maroon clown has finally taken to hosting all the nems! Suddenly happened this week and now she will not leave them alone hahah I love it!

 

[trellemania]

She cant get enough of it lol

 

[trellemania]

If you wanted to see Kimchi in action inside her anemone: My 20 Gallon Anemone Tank

Im loving it

 

[trellemania]

Last week I decided to add another Maroon to my tank. I was originally looking for another lighting like the male I had before Ich took it several months ago, but my LFS had this Gold Nugget Maroon for quite a while so I got it!

I was so worried my female lighting would be a jerk to the new guy that I forgot to consider the little damsel I had in the tank. She had been so peaceful and never been an issue despite their reputation since I had her with my female that the thought did not cross my mind... well I was wrong

When I tell you that this fish was attempting an execution, I mean it. She was out for BLOOD. After my initial oh $h1t moment, I spun into action. Tried to catch the little jerk.

But as I fought for an hour to catch her, I realized it would be impossible with all my rock and nems in the tank... I had to break down the tank

Caught the evil creature finally after 2 hrs. Shortly after I put all the rock/nems/clowns back in and of course my initial rock structure was impossible to find but I think I came up with a good second option. This was immediately after and then 24 hrs later

So far the clowns have already bonded, I am thinking the nems didnt mind the move too much as none have changed spots yet but I am expecting one or two to start floating any day and attach to something lol

The damsel was truly a beauty, and honestly I loved her spunky personality, but alas this is a nem and clown centric tank so it went to a better life in my buddy's giant tank. Would love to keep one in a small tank for itself one day.

To whoever warned me about the little devil: lol you were right! Hoping the maroons are satisfied in this tank for a while. I am already thinking this tank may need an upgrade to 40 gallons once I graduate veterinary school, but lets not rush and tell my wife about that yet lol

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Last week I decided to add another Maroon to my tank. I was originally looking for another lighting like the male I had before Ich took it several months ago, but my LFS had this Gold Nugget Maroon for quite a while so I got it!

I was so worried my female lighting would be a jerk to the new guy that I forgot to consider the little damsel I had in the tank. She had been so peaceful and never been an issue despite their reputation since I had her with my female that the thought did not cross my mind... well I was wrong

When I tell you that this fish was attempting an execution, I mean it. She was out for BLOOD. After my initial oh $h1t moment, I spun into action. Tried to catch the little jerk.

But as I fought for an hour to catch her, I realized it would be impossible with all my rock and nems in the tank... I had to break down the tank

Caught the evil creature finally after 2 hrs. Shortly after I put all the rock/nems/clowns back in and of course my initial rock structure was impossible to find but I think I came up with a good second option. This was immediately after and then 24 hrs later

So far the clowns have already bonded, I am thinking the nems didnt mind the move too much as none have changed spots yet but I am expecting one or two to start floating any day and attach to something lol

The damsel was truly a beauty, and honestly I loved her spunky personality, but alas this is a nem and clown centric tank so it went to a better life in my buddy's giant tank. Would love to keep one in a small tank for itself one day.

To whoever warned me about the little devil: lol you were right! Hoping the maroons are satisfied in this tank for a while. I am already thinking this tank may need an upgrade to 40 gallons once I graduate veterinary school, but lets not rush and tell my wife about that yet lol

Love the color of your new maroon!

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Last week I decided to add another Maroon to my tank. I was originally looking for another lighting like the male I had before Ich took it several months ago, but my LFS had this Gold Nugget Maroon for quite a while so I got it!

I was so worried my female lighting would be a jerk to the new guy that I forgot to consider the little damsel I had in the tank. She had been so peaceful and never been an issue despite their reputation since I had her with my female that the thought did not cross my mind... well I was wrong

When I tell you that this fish was attempting an execution, I mean it. She was out for BLOOD. After my initial oh $h1t moment, I spun into action. Tried to catch the little jerk.

But as I fought for an hour to catch her, I realized it would be impossible with all my rock and nems in the tank... I had to break down the tank

Caught the evil creature finally after 2 hrs. Shortly after I put all the rock/nems/clowns back in and of course my initial rock structure was impossible to find but I think I came up with a good second option. This was immediately after and then 24 hrs later

So far the clowns have already bonded, I am thinking the nems didnt mind the move too much as none have changed spots yet but I am expecting one or two to start floating any day and attach to something lol

The damsel was truly a beauty, and honestly I loved her spunky personality, but alas this is a nem and clown centric tank so it went to a better life in my buddy's giant tank. Would love to keep one in a small tank for itself one day.

To whoever warned me about the little devil: lol you were right! Hoping the maroons are satisfied in this tank for a while. I am already thinking this tank may need an upgrade to 40 gallons once I graduate veterinary school, but lets not rush and tell my wife about that yet lol

Ah, the things we do for love (or clowns)! I do love the intentionally revamped scape. It's looking beautiful! And glad you were able to find a new home for the little blue "devil"

 

[trellemania]

Love the color of your new maroon!

Thank you!! The pop against the nem is magical haha

 

[trellemania]

Ah, the things we do for love (or clowns)! I do love the intentionally revamped scape. It's looking beautiful! And glad you were able to find a new home for the little blue "devil"

LOL seriously!! Thank you!

 

[trellemania]

The 20 gallon Nem Tank is coasting right along! I love the direction I took with this because it means the nems can do and spread as they desire!
Both clowns are happy and the system is thriving! I am still watching nitrates as they tend to sit at 30 ppm but the phospates are at 0.04 ppm soooooo that is a bit of balancing game. I continue my weekly water changes and the only change has been that I changed one of my HOB filter to an AquaReady Refugium HOB. I grow chaeto in there on an inverse cycle and it helps with my pH!

If you want to see the tank in video format:
This is my 20 Gallon Anemone Tank

I've been having fun trying to get some cool shots lol any advice always appreciated!

 

[trellemania]

Nothing has changed in the tank for a while :)

I am thinking I'd like a clam in here too soo might be hunting for one to sit in the sandbed but gotta check my PAR . Clowns continue to love their nems

 

[fishnchip]

So awesome!! Your tank is looking STUNNING

 

[trellemania]

So awesome!! Your tank is looking STUNNING

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

 

[trellemania]

Welp it was coasting with no issues for too long lol

This morning my six line wrasse found attempted to fly from the coop... alas it realized it has no wings and was at the mercy of my cat on the floor... unfortunately he didnt make it.

I am also noticing quite immediately a change in the tank... flatworms holy flatworms everywhere. I'll try to get a pic in the morning. Looks like the wrasse was barely keeping up with them for these many to show up by the evening I swear worst thing of this hobby is the darn parasites

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Nothing has changed in the tank for a while :)

I am thinking I'd like a clam in here too soo might be hunting for one to sit in the sandbed but gotta check my PAR . Clowns continue to love their nems

Just now seeing this photo! Looks awesome! I would enter it into the POTM if you haven't already

 

[trellemania]

Nothing has changed in the tank for a while :)

I am thinking I'd like a clam in here too soo might be hunting for one to sit in the sandbed but gotta check my PAR . Clowns continue to love their nems

Just now seeing this photo! Looks awesome! I would enter it into the POTM if you haven't already

Thank you!