Anemone only tank questions

[chef_pinky]

So I have a 150 cube that I’ve been running for about 10 months now. I was fighting some algae issues (Dino) that I’ve finally taken care of. But I wanted to convert the tank into an anemone/clown harem tank. My LFS has a group of RBTA (roughly 12) for sale and would sell to me at a good price if I picked up all of them.

What concerns me is my lighting, I am running 2 hydra hd 26s over a 150 cube (36”x36x27”deep). Is this enough to host the anemones happily? What settings should I run them on to make the anemones most happy?

I have watched the BRS video a few times, but I was hoping there was more reading or research I could do elsewhere if anyone has suggestions?

 

[reef lover]

The spread should be fine but they only penetrate 24 " if i remember right. And loose lots of par the deeper it is. Imo nems should be happy up towards top on rocks. But might not like it towards the sand bed .

 

[Ron Reefman]

I don't know how well the Hydras will penetrate water, but at 27" deep, IMHO you should be ok. RBTAs can do ok at PAR levels in the 100 range. And like corals, they'll want blue spectrum more than white for zooxanthellae photosynthesis. Whits is perfectly ok, but understand it's more for our viewing pleasure and somewhat less important for the tank.

The issue I'd be concerned about is trying to have a clownfish harem. Have you researched this idea well? I had 5 clowns that were all juveniles and they did ok for about 4 months. Then one turned female and one by one over the next few months I lost all but a pair that ended up mated. Yes, LFS have tanks full of lot of clownfish, but they are all juveniles. I'm really not sure a clownfish harem is a viable long term (like more than a year) situation. At least not without significant loses.

 

[pecan2phat]

If you are doing a harem, you need to get the fish from a breeder that will sell you juveniles from the same clutch for the best success rate.
2 places come to mind, Vossen Aquatics or Cultivated Reef.
Vossen usually only carries 3 variations and list their prices. With Cultivated, you need to email and ask them for a price but they have more variety and are a little bit more in pricing IME plus they charge for shipping also.

 

[Gonebad395]

Your nems will be just fine. Why a harem tank? For the most part all the clowns die except 2. I know you’ll get the few on here saying how it worked for them and that’s great. What you aren’t getting is the 1000s that have had 3 equal 2 really fast. These things are living treat them as such there are so many beautiful fish you can own and raise try them. And @Ron Reefman was spot on about light. You know why you only see a few harem tanks because they don’t work long term. You know why you don’t hear really hear from the people that tried it because they got tired of hearing we told ya so. Nothing said was to be mean so don’t take it that way at all it’s to save some fish and you a headache

 

[davocean]

Harem tanks can be done if they are all juvies from the same clutch, but even that can come w/ some pecking off, but that is best chance of long term success.

BTA's are pretty forgiving when it comes to lighting, not as light needy as most other host nems

 

[Marcom12]

Harem tanks can be done if they are all juvies from the same clutch, but even that can come w/ some pecking off, but that is best chance of long term success.

BTA's are pretty forgiving when it comes to lighting, not as light needy as most other host nems

I have wanted a harrm tank also but seems only way to do it well is super high feeding along with same clutch as juvies and some way to export all the excessive nutrients that comes with it.... Decided I don't have the time or skill to pull it off. :(

 

[chef_pinky]

Then I will stray away from the harem idea, as a few of you have stated these is minimal success with this and I don’t want to put my fish through that.

I have multiple power heads in the tank as well due to the shape of the tank, what does everyone use to cover them to keep the anemones from wrapping themselves?

 

[reef lover]

I made these for my little ph. And you can buy premade ones for the mps.

 

[MSB123]

I have a harem, I have had it for 5 months now. If you dont have a lot of time and a way to export the massive bioload, stay away ;)
It is really enjoyable, but difficult and takes a ton of time.

 

[PDR]

I have a harem, I have had it for 5 months now. If you dont have a lot of time and a way to export the massive bioload, stay away ;)
It is really enjoyable, but difficult and takes a ton of time.

What specifically about a harem tank is more time-consuming than a typical reef?

 

[MSB123]

What specifically about a harem tank is more time-consuming than a typical reef?

Maintenance. I do the equivalent of a 30% wc every week.
I also have to spend about 15 minutes a day scrubbing algae and cleaning my skimmer neck and such. And feeding 6-8 times a day (I use an auto feeder)
The hardest part for me is not moving stuff around because when I do it causes them to fight for about a week due to territory issues and disruption ;)
It’s not that much harder, but it does come with some challenges.

 

[Janci]

The Hydras will do fine for this tank with anemones.
I love the 12-RTBA-tank idea. I hope you go through with it and share your experience in a separate thread. Would follow that for sure.

 

[chef_pinky]

The Hydras will do fine for this tank with anemones.
I love the 12-RTBA-tank idea. I hope you go through with it and share your experience in a separate thread. Would follow that for sure.

Sounds good! I’m swamped with work for the next two weeks so won’t be making any changes yet, but if they’re still available when I go there next I’m absolutely buying all of them.