New to Reefland (Anemone Question)

[mal211]

Hi all,

I recently setup a 20-gallon tank with the hopes of starting my first reef tank. I have been enjoying a 72-gallon bowfront for about 3 years now which houses a pufferfish and snowflake eel.

After thinking about it, I may have made the infamous impulse buy. In my 20-gallon tank I have 2 damsels and 2 percula clowns (not tank raised). For additional info: live sand bottom ~3 inches 25lbs fiji live rock protein skimmer and basic filtration system with additional airstone. Tank has been running for ~3 months.

I purchased a sebae anenome from my local LFS and I think it may have insufficient lighting conditions. I have always been very cautious about water tests and alkalinity is good, iodine levels are stable, etc. Good water quality for housing an anemone.

However, lighting is only 72-w power compact on the 20-g tank. The depth of the tank is approximately 14 inches.

Any suggestions or is this sufficient for a basic sebae? Will provide any additional info required.

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Heteractis crispa is not a high light requiring anemone. Your lighting will be fine. Once a week feedings of raw shrimp or other meaty sea food will keep it healthy. If it grows too quickly cut back on feeding. They can get 24" across if fed too much. When the light becomes too low in intensity they will stand up from the substrate reaching for the light. They are able to stand up on their column 6-10". They can be a good indicator of when your bulbs need to be changed.

Regards,
Kevin

[mal211]

Would you recommend a lighting upgrade if possible? Or should I stick with the PC lighting and focus more on water quality. I have always focused on fish-only tanks so this is a new ballgame for me.

Also, do you know of any tricks (besides patience) to get clowns to host the sebae anemone? Thanks for the recommendations on feedings!

[Reefing Madness]

Saltwater Aquarium Invertebrates for Marine Aquariums: Sebae Anemone
"In the aquarium it requires strong lighting, porous live rock, and a variety of sandy and rocky locations from which it can choose to live. The addition of a Clownfish, such as the Blue Striped Clown"
I would recommend getting at least T-5 HO lighting for you Anemone. Power Compact lights are not considered strong lights.

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Water quality is almost always more important than lighting. For a 14" deep tank it would be a waste of money to upgrade unless you have extra money to spend. In which case I would go with a LED fixture. I tested one the other day that put out 598 PAR at 10.5" which is enough to keep any photosynthetic animal.

One trick to try is to find a picture of a Percula clown hosting on-line, print it out (life size or about) and tape it to the tank facing in. This sometimes works in a few hours. Time is the most reliable method. Usually when the clowns pair up and begin to exhibit courtship behavior they look for a host. Digging in the substrate is one of the signs.

Regards,
Kevin