"Mature Tank"

[gabelex14]

Let's say I want an anemone tank. The rule of thumb seems to at least 6 months until you can add anemones because the tank needs to be "mature" (which I've found to be a term that's used loosely). But how does a tank become mature if you can't add the livestock that you want because your tank isn't mature? My assumption is you add a coral that's hardy and let it bake for 6 months. Doesn't make much sense to me.

(PS I added a nem to my mixed reef at 4 months and it's been fine since)

 

[20gallonreefer000]

To me a mature tank means you have gone through the ugly phase, have a healthy and consistent micro fauna population and stable water parameters. You can't measure the maturity of an aquarium but I think it's more of a spectrum than anything. 6 months is just a general statement because every tank is going to be completely different and it's a safe number no matter how the aquarium is set up.

 

[Tangdora]

I moved my nems from my old 90 2 days after I deemed my current tank cycled and they still alive. That’ was three years ago. As long as you keep things stable and consistent. They can be added earlier.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO its not so much about the tank as it is about the hobbyist, new hobbyists can make some pretty big mistakes while they learn. Its not just about not killing the animal, but the new hobbyist can become discouraged by death so early on, and by losing so much money early on.

If you know your parameters and you started with live rock and you've done the research and you feel confident in your tank and in yourself, then go for it. I build tanks and can put corals in within the first hour, its not about the tank.