Am I ready for a nem?

[fool4fish]

My tank is about 2 years old, I still consider myself a beginner. I had a lot of issues at first because I was using Petco boxed water, and didn't realize it was full of phosphate ): For the past year or so, my tank has been doing a lot better bc I've been using water that I mix myself.

I had adopted some geriatric PJs and they have since both passed, so my tank is empty besides snails and emerald crabs. I would reeeally like to get some clowns, I want either a pair of pink skunks, or one pink skunk and one orange, and id like them to have an anemone.

I test my water frequently, and it's always 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 3-6 nitrate, ph 8.3, gravity 1.023 or 1.024. it is a 30 gallon tank. Can I get a bubble tip, or should I wait?

 

[OrionN]

You should be able to keep anemone, but different anemone requires different conditions. They go walking if they are not happy. That is (waling) why they are "difficult to keep" because in the process, they can kill themself and other corals, or fishes if they walk into a PH or return pump.
research and choose species that you can keep in your tank.

 

[Seancj]

If your tank is 2 years established, you are keeping parameters stable, and you have a decent light, you are ready to try a bubble tip anemone (BTA). As OrionN has said, make sure your powerhead has a protective cover over its intake.
Do not mix clowns in a 30 gallon tank. Pink skunks and orange skunks fight just like any other mix of clowns will do in tight quarters. Orange skunks will more readily take to BTA's. Get the smallest pair you can find, preferably with one clown being bigger than the other. This helps with establishing a dominant female more quickly.

 

[OrionN]

I agree that you should not mix clowns. I would get Pink Skunk. They are small and docile, great for a 30 gal tank.

 

[Romeo_Reefer]

What's that about Petco water having a ton on Phosphates? I've been using it in a pinch, but thanks for the info. Two year old tank is definitely ready for an anemone. Just as mentioned above be ready for it to travel. Not always but it's always a possibility.

 

[fool4fish]

You should be able to keep anemone, but different anemone requires different conditions. They go walking if they are not happy. That is (waling) why they are "difficult to keep" because in the process, they can kill themself and other corals, or fishes if they walk into a PH or return pump.
research and choose species that you can keep in your tank.

This is very helpful. Thank you!!

 

[fool4fish]

If your tank is 2 years established, you are keeping parameters stable, and you have a decent light, you are ready to try a bubble tip anemone (BTA). As OrionN has said, make sure your powerhead has a protective cover over its intake.
Do not mix clowns in a 30 gallon tank. Pink skunks and orange skunks fight just like any other mix of clowns will do in tight quarters. Orange skunks will more readily take to BTA's. Get the smallest pair you can find, preferably with one clown being bigger than the other. This helps with establishing a dominant female more quickly.

I thought they were similar enough I might be able to get away with it will definitely not do that now. Thank you!!

 

[fool4fish]

I agree that you should not mix clowns. I would get Pink Skunk. They are small and docile, great for a 30 gal tank.

OMG, I thought they grew to the same size, I didn't realize the orange gets bigger. I hadn't done any research yet, I saw the orange at my LFS and thought it was just a different color pink since they look so similar. I promise I would've done research before I got serious and ordered them though LOL

 

[fool4fish]

What's that about Petco water having a ton on Phosphates? I've been using it in a pinch, but thanks for the info. Two year old tank is definitely ready for an anemone. Just as mentioned above be ready for it to travel. Not always but it's always a possibility.

I don't know if there's a significant difference between the water at different stores.. if you have any left id test it, cause maybe from your store it's ok. My LFS sells saltwater so if I'm in a pinch I'll bring one of my big blue jugs and get it filled, they charge me something like 50c a gallon. Thank you for the help!!