A "Newbie" And His Anemones

[macon77]

I think the title of this thread is quite fitting, for a couple of reasons. I am not exactly a "newbie" to keeping reef tanks, but I typically feel like one. I am constantly making mistakes, learning as I go, and often "chasing my own tail." Further, I feel like a "newbie," as I am just as enthralled with the hobby as I was when I started my first reef tank. I can still sit for hours just staring at my tank, amazed that such a beautiful system exists in my own home. I consider the critters in this tank my "babies."

I frequent R2R almost nightly. I don't post a lot (if at all, really). As I feel like a "newbie" most of the time, I typically just read whatever I can in an effort to "learn how to do this right." I do appreciate all of the information everyone posts. I continue to learn a great deal from you all. To thank you, I figured I would show you the fruits of your labor. Most importantly, my "babies" thank you. They would not be the same without you.

Fortunately, this is not a photography forum. Otherwise, I would be banned for the horrible photographs I am about to post (if I can figure out how to post a photograph, at all). I do hope you enjoy.

 

[macon77]

Some of "the babies."

 

[macon77]

 

[macon77]

 

[macon77]

 

[macon77]

 

[rich nyc]

wow they are beautiful. congrats

 

[macon77]

 

[macon77]

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Beautiful !!!

 

[macon77]

I think there may be a fish in there somewhere.

 

[PiscesPower]

@macon77 It's awesome, but I am biased. I love anemones as well! A question for you. If you were going to set up the anemone tank again, would you go bare bottom? I am about to set up a 20g Nuvo with my breeding clown pair and their anemone rock (and its inhabitants). I'm really torn about sand or bare bottom.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I think the title of this thread is quite fitting, for a couple of reasons. I am not exactly a "newbie" to keeping reef tanks, but I typically feel like one. I am constantly making mistakes, learning as I go, and often "chasing my own tail." Further, I feel like a "newbie," as I am just as enthralled with the hobby as I was when I started my first reef tank. I can still sit for hours just staring at my tank, amazed that such a beautiful system exists in my own home. I consider the critters in this tank my "babies."

I frequent R2R almost nightly. I don't post a lot (if at all, really). As I feel like a "newbie" most of the time, I typically just read whatever I can in an effort to "learn how to do this right." I do appreciate all of the information everyone posts. I continue to learn a great deal from you all. To thank you, I figured I would show you the fruits of your labor. Most importantly, my "babies" thank you. They would not be the same without you.

Fortunately, this is not a photography forum. Otherwise, I would be banned for the horrible photographs I am about to post (if I can figure out how to post a photograph, at all). I do hope you enjoy.

Looks great to me!

 

[NY_Caveman]

@macon77 It's awesome, but I am biased. I love anemones as well! A question for you. If you were going to set up the anemone tank again, would you go bare bottom? I am about to set up a 20g Nuvo with my breeding clown pair and their anemone rock (and its inhabitants). I'm really torn about sand or bare bottom.

If it was BTAs or Ritteri, I personally would go bare bottom. LTA on the other hand need sand to bury their foot. Carpets and Sebae are hit or miss in my opinion.

 

[macon77]

wow they are beautiful. congrats

Thank you!!! And, I agree. They are beautiful.

 

[macon77]

Beautiful !!!

Thanks. I wish I could take better photographs. And, I am not sure why they are being posted so large. They look pretty grainy and washed out. The pictures really do not do the anemones justice.

 

[mochaclownlover]

Awesome anemones!!! I'm jealous...;Drool

 

[Rispa]

Man that's a gorgeous view. How big is your tank

 

[macon77]

@macon77 It's awesome, but I am biased. I love anemones as well! A question for you. If you were going to set up the anemone tank again, would you go bare bottom? I am about to set up a 20g Nuvo with my breeding clown pair and their anemone rock (and its inhabitants). I'm really torn about sand or bare bottom.

There are a couple of interesting thoughts, here. NY_Caveman brings up some valid concerns about the requirements of different types of anemones. I can't offer much advice there, as all I keep are bubble-tips (and I don't know a whole lot about them, even).

One concern I have is the size of the tank you are setting up. Honestly, I almost can't keep up with the growth and multiplication rates of the anemones that I have. I have recently been trying to get rid of quite a few of mine, for that reason. Further, I once had what I considered the ugliest bubble-tip anemone known to man. It was also quite large (at least 1.5 feet). I could see trying to keep such critters in a 20 gallon tank being a concern.

Personally, I would never go bare bottom. The look is just not appealing to me. Yes, it is a pain to clean the sand with a turkey baster twice each week. But, I would not have it any other way. I just like sand.

 

[macon77]

If it was BTAs or Ritteri, I personally would go bare bottom. LTA on the other hand need sand to bury their foot. Carpets and Sebae are hit or miss in my opinion.

Thanks, NY_Caveman! You make some good points (that I am not qualified to make).