9g Nano Anemone Build

[bstodds15]

What's up reefers,

Starting a new nano anemone build with the goal in mind being a sunburst anemone, and a zoa or shroom rock after its settled in.

The tank is an old Fluval Flex 9 that i'm upgrading with some other equipment gathered over the years. Filled it up last night and there are no leaks so we're in business. Pictures and notes of the modifications to follow.

A couple questions i've had going through my mind:

1. Filter/Pump: Does anyone have experience/recommendations when it comes to an AI Axis20 pump. I got it on sale a little bit ago and aside from testing it out, haven't fully used it. Seems like reviews are mixed, but hoping having it on 40-70% doesn't cause any issues.

2. Stocking: If this is going to be a proper nem tank, it needs a clownfish. I'm between a solo Maroon (that I would rehome from my 27g), or a pair of designer occies. I feel like I know the answer, but is 9g too small for a maroon?

3. Lighting: The light is the only thing I don't have at this point, but I plan to us an AI Prime HD16 from the same 27g mentioned above. The 27g would get an upgrade - or I just get another Prime. Any recommendations on fixture height for ~11" water level?

4. General Nem Care: While i've kept nems before, it's never been in nano tank. Aside from general advice (water changes/husbandy) are there any specific suggestions when it comes to anemone care in a nano tank? I currently have some rock flowers in the 27g that are doing well, and I don't do anything special aside target feeding.

Looking forward to getting this one started, and any notes would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TX_REEF]

on stocking, in all honesty, 9g is too small for a single maroon and too small for a pair of ocellaris. I wouldn't put any clown in a tank that size, but if you must, let it be a single ocellaris or perhaps a skunk. If you are focused on the clowns, I'd do them a favor and just use a bigger tank for the build.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I wouldn't do a pair of clowns in a 9g. You could get by with a single ocellaris clown. Anemone care will be the same as the 27g. Just ensure you have adequate lighting and proper water parameters, and you will be ok!

 

[hatteras hank]

You could also consider a Clarki clown. They stay fairly small and I even had one hosted by an Atlantic condi anemone in a 5.5g several decades ago. Was happy for years until a heater failed.

 

[Entity77]

Pump is fine, I have Hygger version, works great. Lighting can be anything proper, plenty of great budget options. Nems are some of the easiest reef creatures to take care of, just feed it for the best health, whatever you feed your clowns. Obviously just don't zero out N/P just in case.

Stocking, No to maroon. Occelaris pair would work just fine. I have a pair in a evo 13.5 and they spend nearly 100% of the time in half the tank, so like 12x12x12 inches space with their nems. But! Ideally get a mated pair, because if you get juvies just know that when one male turns into a female, aggression is going to be a problem for a bit, so you need plenty of hiding spaces during that time. In my case I had 10 rbta.

 

[bstodds15]

on stocking, in all honesty, 9g is too small for a single maroon and too small for a pair of ocellaris. I wouldn't put any clown in a tank that size, but if you must, let it be a single ocellaris or perhaps a skunk. If you are focused on the clowns, I'd do them a favor and just use a bigger tank for the build.

(Replying to @Gumbies R Us too)

Yeah, I figured 9g was too small for the maroon. I've had her for probably 4 years now and not going to get rid of her - just always first one I think of giving their own space.

I also figured it's a little small for a pair of occellaris, it's just so common to see. I have a pair in my 55g and like @Entity77 said, aside from feeding they stay in their own little area like 85% of the time. I'm open to a single clown since an anemone without one would feel incomplete.

Would there be any alternative nano fish that don't run a complete risk of getting grabbed by a BTA? Only thing I can think of are clown gobies, but I don't know if their little coral slime coat is strong enough.

 

[TX_REEF]

BTAs are unlikely to harm any healthy fish in my experience, so any fish that is appropriate for a 9g should do just fine.

 

[bstodds15]

Pump is fine, I have Hygger version, works great. Lighting can be anything proper, plenty of great budget options. Nems are some of the easiest reef creatures to take care of, just feed it for the best health, whatever you feed your clowns. Obviously just don't zero out N/P just in case.

Stocking, No to maroon. Occelaris pair would work just fine. I have a pair in a evo 13.5 and they spend nearly 100% of the time in half the tank, so like 12x12x12 inches space with their nems. But! Ideally get a mated pair, because if you get juvies just know that when one male turns into a female, aggression is going to be a problem for a bit, so you need plenty of hiding spaces during that time. In my case I had 10 rbta.

I tried fitting/test running the pump last night and it wouldn't run after connecting to the app :loudly-crying-face: Luckily it's still under warranty, and the replacement should come tomorrow. If this one has issues, I'll probably switch to a Sicce1.0. Not controllable, but reliable.

Thinking of finding a more budget friendly light. I like the idea of using an AI since my other tanks have them and it's all one family of devices... But I don't like the idea of spending $250+ for something unnecessary. I'm going to get through the cycling phase with something on hand while I decide, and welcome to suggestions.

Hopefully the new pump doesn't have any issues since I'm going start the hardscape this weekend. We'll see what 12lbs of rubble rock and imagination can come up with.

 

[bstodds15]

You could also consider a Clarki clown. They stay fairly small and I even had one hosted by an Atlantic condi anemone in a 5.5g several decades ago. Was happy for years until a heater failed.

RIP Clarki :disappointed-face:

 

[bstodds15]

BTAs are unlikely to harm any healthy fish in my experience, so any fish that is appropriate for a 9g should do just fine.

That's good to know. My general fear is the fish accidentally swims into a stinger and worst case from there.

 

[bstodds15]

Update: The replacement pump came, BUT with a different model power adapter. Seems to have been the culprit because both pumps work with it.

Rinsed some old sand I had from a broken down tank and it's about an 1-1/2" bed, so kind of the perfect amount. Think the goal is to use the rubble to make a broken arch, with some of the rubble in the bed creating what look like little islands (thinking future zoa islands).

Should come together pretty quickly over the weekend and hoping to have filled and start cycling by Sunday night.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Update: The replacement pump came, BUT with a different model power adapter. Seems to have been the culprit because both pumps work with it.

Rinsed some old sand I had from a broken down tank and it's about an 1-1/2" bed, so kind of the perfect amount. Think the goal is to use the rubble to make a broken arch, with some of the rubble in the bed creating what look like little islands (thinking future zoa islands).

Should come together pretty quickly over the weekend and hoping to have filled and start cycling by Sunday night.

Or make it into a future gsp island, haha.

 

[bstodds15]

Or make it into a future gsp island, haha.

thought about that too actually. Thinking small "grassy" areas.

My 27 has GSP and some nice zoas (rasta's, hornets, bloodsuckers, midas etc.). If they grow out well enough would love to just frag some pieces here and there for this build.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

thought about that too actually. Thinking small "grassy" areas.

My 27 has GSP and some nice zoas (rasta's, hornets, bloodsuckers, midas etc.). If they grow out well enough would love to just frag some pieces here and there for this build.

Hey it would save you money!

 

[PPBlimpy]

look into a noopsyche k7 mini. would be a good candidate for budget friendly, low frills lighting.

following along as i am going to be setting up my old 13.5 fluval as a BTA tank here shortly.

 

[bstodds15]

look into a noopsyche k7 mini. would be a good candidate for budget friendly, low frills lighting.

following along as i am going to be setting up my old 13.5 fluval as a BTA tank here shortly.

I've never heard of this light before, but looks solid. Only $85 on their website, great reviews and app control... I might be buying before the end of the day lol.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have their older k7 pro v2s and k7 v3 (both non app based controllers) and currently working out a deal for 5 used k7 pro v3s to go over my 300G.

the lights are great, the app is kinda crappy but once you get the hang of it and find the setting you like then you are good

 

[bstodds15]

I have their older k7 pro v2s and k7 v3 (both non app based controllers) and currently working out a deal for 5 used k7 pro v3s to go over my 300G.

the lights are great, the app is kinda crappy but once you get the hang of it and find the setting you like then you are good

I just spent the last 35min watching videos/reviews of them andddd it'll be here in 3-4 weeks

 

[PPBlimpy]

nice. i like them. i replaced my 3x g4 radion xr30 pros with the older used noops mentioned above. i see no difference in growth except in my wallet. i had a xr30 die and picked up the 4 noops i have now used for $175 shipped. sold my old g4s and could have bought 6 new k7s. but funds went into other items for the tank.

i am buying 5 used k7 v3 pros used from a local and 1 of the v2 pros will go above my 13.5 and the two v3s will go above my frag tank i plan to set up

 

[Ocellaris123]

You could also consider a Clarki clown. They stay fairly small and I even had one hosted by an Atlantic condi anemone in a 5.5g several decades ago. Was happy for years until a heater failed.

Clarkiis are one of the larger species of clownfish