Anemones or Coral for small tank

[MrMeanyHead]

I have a fluval evo 13.5 and wanted some suggestions for both coral and anemones. I want to divide the tank into two sections, one side of rocks that is like a carpet on the rocks and the other side with room for different types of coral. With eventually a mix of the hard coral and flowy corals on the other side. Also nothing that will hurt inverts/fish please.

 

[cPr]

Anemones are awesome and when you add them, and their foot goes exactly where you want, the tank looks great…. for a little while.

That’s until they decide to move, and then it’s a free for all. Then they split, and you’ve got another free for all.

I think in a larger tank, it’s easy to work around, but in a small tank, it can become a pain.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’d stick with one or the other. On the one hand an anemone tank would be neat and with a couple clowns but on the other hand a coral only tank would be good if you had things like a few encrusters like chalices or maybe favia. Lots of “flowy” types . Softies like leather toadstools or torches . Could also go with corals that don’t flow but are more bushy like hammers or frogspawn.

 

[MrMeanyHead]

sorry forgot about these as well but what about macro algae, is that easier for a beginner

 

[MrMeanyHead]

Anemones are awesome and when you add them, and their foot goes exactly where you want, the tank looks great…. for a little while.

That’s until they decide to move, and then it’s a free for all. Then they split, and you’ve got another free for all.

I think in a larger tank, it’s easy to work around, but in a small tank, it can become a pain.

I’d stick with one or the other. On the one hand an anemone tank would be neat and with a couple clowns but on the other hand a coral only tank would be good if you had things like a few encrusters like chalices or maybe favia. Lots of “flowy” types . Softies like leather toadstools or torches . Could also go with corals that don’t flow but are more bushy like hammers or frogspawn.

As I research more, I think I'm leaning towards coral over anemones just for the fact that they dont move and our safe for inverts. Any recommendations for clowns to host. As well what are cheaper corals that will flow or make carpets.

 

[steveschuerger]

Clowns will use almost anything as a host for them. They can be a little rough on coral so just beware of that. Cheap carpets would be Green Star Polyps(GSP) or Xenia or Zoas/Palys. GSP especially needs a separate rock or space not to potentially take over a tank.

 

[Fish Fan]

How about some Rock Flower Anemones? These look really great in smaller tanks, and don't really move around like other, typical 'nems. Sexy shrimp go well with the RFA's too

 

[MrMeanyHead]

How about some Rock Flower Anemones? These look really great in smaller tanks, and don't really move around like other, typical 'nems. Sexy shrimp go well with the RFA's too

do you know of any other anemones besides bubble tips that are suitable for a smaller tank

 

[Fish Fan]

do you know of any other anemones besides bubble tips that are suitable for a smaller tank

Yes, Rock Flower Anemones, also known as, RFA's.

Check them out

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I second an RFA would be great for a tank that size

 

[MikeyZo]

Hammer and frogspawn corals definitely give you that flowy anemone look without the worry of them moving. (Torch corals as well but they can be a little more tricky). And clowns will host them too. My clown lives in my hammers.

 

[steveschuerger]

Hammer and frogspawn corals definitely give you that flowy anemone look without the worry of them moving. (Torch corals as well but they can be a little more tricky). And clowns will host them too. My clown lives in my hammers.

I’ve got to agree here. And maybe I’m biased but I think they’re somewhat easier to keep. This is my little bunch .

 

[MikeyZo]

Here’s some of mine, and my clown hanging in them.

 

[mowgli.reef]

This was my Fluval 13.5. I went with corals. Anemones go wherever they want to go, sometime they tend to stay by your return or wavemakers which can lead to overflow issues. I enjoyed the Evo, good starter tank.