"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.