16-gallom BioOrb Reef Tank

[Salty Dan]

Hello fellow Reefers!

I am new to this forum, actually somewhat new to reef tanks altogether. I used to have a 75 gallon tank with fish, critters and live rock in it, but, that was a while ago.

I recently got back into the hobby and am going somewhat smaller, with less maintenance.

I now have a 16-gallon BiOrb (factory 10 W light & filter), 15W heater, small power head for circulation, about 10 lbs. of live rock, 2-3 inches of crushed coral, a maroon clown w/bubble tip anemone, orange spot goby, fire shrimp, 4 scarlet hermits, 5 cerith snails, a rock with 7-8 green stripe mushrooms and a rock with 4-5 lavender mushrooms. A nice little beginner’s community reef tank. I would highly recommend this type of set-up to anyone who is considering a “nano” type system. It is not very expensive to set-up or maintain.;)

The coralline algae growth is coming along (after 4 month set-up), the fish, shrimp, snails and coral are all healthy, but my issue is with the anemone. It does not seem to be thriving, although I just got it about 3 weeks ago. I have never had an anemone and have some questions.

1.How will I know if the anemone is “happy?”

I do not understand anemone language very well, but I do get the feeling it is not doing its best. Its tentacles are not long, and flowing. Maybe this is normal, but I just get the feeling it is not too happy. When I first put it in, its tentacles were long, and flowwing. Like what you see in the perfect pictures of anemones. The clown went straight to it (which made me extremely happy). It has not moved around the tank, so maybe it gets enough light? It has pretty much stayed in the same spot, kind of wedged up in between two pieces of rock. I am not looking for a picture perfect anemone. I just want to make sure it is happy.

2.I complete about a 50% water change (which is only about 2.5 gallons) weekly. I supplement with Kent Calcium (10 drops every other day), Kent strontium & molybdenum (4 drops every other day), and Brightwell Aquatics Iodion (4 drops every other day). Is this supplement necessary if I am changing 50% every week? Am I adding too much? Do I need to add more? I do not test supplement levels. Should I? I tried to calculate what I thought would be the correct amount according to the directions on the bottles.

3.I do not have a protein skimmer. Do I need one (again if I am changing 50% weekly)?

I would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone might have.

If anyone has any questions for me, I would be more than happy to answer.


Thanks,
Dan

[Salty Dan]

Thanks?!

I can see why this forum/site is soooooo popular....;)

[Chasman]

Just some observations: I'm not an expert on anemones by any means, but I do know enough not to get one. Only kidding but not really. They are fickle critters to begin with. Your lighting is probably your biggest problem. A 10 watt lamp isn't enough. I have 124 watts of T5 lighting on my 29gal tank and I would never try to keep an anemone in there. Your mushrooms would probably like a bit more light as well.

A 2.5 gal water change is 15% of your tank not 50%. But 15% weekly is fine. 50% a week is a bit much. A skimmer would be quite helpful and I would highly recommend it. You have a full bio load already, so a skimmer will help sustain it.

I wouldn't dose your tank with anything unless you have tested for what the water needs. I use Reef Solution from EcoSystem to add trace and nutrients to the water but that's it. Plus I don't use the quantity they say you can. I use less but consistently. I change about 15% of my water weekly also and when I test for calcium or magnesium I don't need to add anything.

I would bump up that lighting soon though.

Chasman

[Chasman]

Also Dan, If you post your anemone questions over in the "Reef Aquarium" section of the forum you will get more responses. Just make sure you post all of the particulars to you tank.

Chasman

[Salty Dan]

Chasman,

Thanks for the insight!

I had already thought about bumping up the bulb to about 35W, but, I cannot go too much higher with the W due to fear of starting a fire. I want to keep the std BiOrb fixture, and not retro-fit if I don't have to, if you know what I mean. As you can see, I am not dealing with a whole lot of space. It sounds like you might think that is my main problem?

As for the water, I thought 2.5 gallons would be about 15% also when I first put this all together. But with all the live rock (10 lbs.), crushed coral (another 3-4 Lbs.), and once you add the salt mix, the 2.5 gallons actually is about 45-50%. Which is actually great! Because I can buy a 2.5 gallon container of RO drinking water from the local grocery store once a week, and in about 15 minutes, my water change is done. The RO is cheap, and for the 5 months or so I have had the tank running, I have not had to clean the sides, or any rock of algae. In fact, the algae is non-existent, and I am curious what the snails eat. Of course, now that I think about the light issue, that could be another reason for no algae.

Thanks for the input on the supplements also. I kinda had a feeling it may have been too much, but wanted/needed someone’s point of view.

I think I am going to get the new bulb. Not sure if it will still be enough, but, I'll start with that.

All is appreciated!

Thanks,
Dan

[Chasman]

Dan

I just checked out what a 16 gal BiOrb is. I now see why your flexibility is quite limited. I didn't realize it was one of the bowl type aquariums.

Unfortunately the lighting options will never be adequate to support an anemone. The 10 watt halogen lamp is nowhere near enough. Even the 35 watt if you can get one won't do it either. I would highly suggets you take the anemone back if you can. Or give it to somebody who has a capable tank. My concern for your tank is if that thing dies in there with such a small amount of water and filtration capacity, it can foul your entire tank. Sorry for the grim advice, but that anemone isn't going to make it in there.

The 10 watt lamp explains the lack of algea as well. Some of the lack of algea may be from the supplement doses too. Even if you take the anemone back I would try a 35 watt lamp as your mushrooms will do better.

The cerith snails you have are mainly meat and debris eaters and live just under the sand. If you had an astria or trochus snail they would more than likely be starving.

As far as skimmers go I would definitlely add one if you can figure out how. I'm not sure how you would do it with that style of tank.

Is the filter air driven in that tank? Their web site didn't explain that very well.

For a bowl type tank your bio load is already at the limit. I wouldn't add any more critters to it.

You should go to the "Reef Aquarium" forum and read the sticky near the top "read before asking" and you will find tons of helpful information. The "Saltwater Fish" forum has some great sticky's as well. You should definitely read the one in the saltwater forum on how to do a successful water change. You may change your method a little.

Also google "bubble tip anemone care" and you will see what I'm suggesting.

Chasman

[Salty Dan]

I am definetly not adding anything else. Amonia and nitrite are always 0, but, nitrate sometimes gets up to between 0-5 ppm at the end of the week. That, coupled with the light, is probably my problem with the anemone.

I will be taking it back. I am afraid my clown will now need to go on an anti-depressant. He has been so happy since I put the anemone in.

The filter is air driven, undergravel type, with a central uplift tube. I have beefed up the air pump from the original, not sure if that helps.

Also, I have added a small powerhead to maintain good water movement in and around the live rock inside the tank. I believe that adds to biological filtration.

thans for the advice. I'll be looking at th other forums as well.

[ToddTT]

I am afraid my clown will now need to go on an anti-depressant. He has been so happy since I put the anemone in.

My clarkii clown treats a patch of algae like an anemone. I've also heard of them acting this way about powerheads and other in-tank objects.

You might also try this... not sure if they work well or look ridiculous in a tank:

Artificial Coral - Nature's Image Clams, Invertebrates Page

Or if you really want to spoil him, get a second bigger tank... you know you want one too. ;)

[Salty Dan]

I am sold on the bigger tank as a solution.

I already mentioned it to the wife and kids, who seem to admire the clown/anemone relationship as much as I do.

We'll see how far I an take it...;;

[ToddTT]

I am sold on the bigger tank as a solution.

I already mentioned it to the wife and kids, who seem to admire the clown/anemone relationship as much as I do.

We'll see how far I an take it...;;

Well, you might mention to them that in such a small tank the anemone won't be able to get enough nutrients, and will eat the clownfish and spit out its skeleton.

And once it has the taste of flesh, it will most likely escape the tank looking for more. In the middle of the night.

That should do it.

And remember to post pics of your new 200 gallon tank!

[Salty Dan]

I am with you dude....

I have already started conjuring up all types of reasons in my head for why a bigger tank would be much better. Including outlandish (maybe) reasons such as yours.

But then, my wife brings up the “Do you remember when you had that 75 gallon tank you couldn’t keep clean?” But I know, I am older, and much wiser now….right? I mean, isn’t that how we all think?

Yes, I will have the tank of my dreams some day, but for now, I can really only handle (maybe not) the 16 gallon BiOrb.

But, when I DO get my 500 gallon, in-wall, SCUBA License required tank, I will most assuredly post pics for all to see!

Thanks for the reply!

Dan

[Zach]

Well, you might mention to them that in such a small tank the anemone won't be able to get enough nutrients, and will eat the clownfish and spit out its skeleton.

And once it has the taste of flesh, it will most likely escape the tank looking for more. In the middle of the night.

That should do it.

And remember to post pics of your new 200 gallon tank!

LOL too funny! Beware the killer anemone.

[Salty Dan]

Alright!

What about this for a replacement light. I have read several great reviews on it:

JBJ K-2 Viper 70W HQI Clamp on Lamp Lighting Fixture (10 or 12 K not 14K)

JBJ K-2 Viper HQI Clamp on Lamp Lighting Fixture

Does anyone have any experience with it?

Will it provide enough power for the anemone and mushrooms?

Will it put too much heat in the tank? (it does have an internal fan)

Will it burn the tank (plexiglass BiOrb) and lid up?

Any thoughts are welcomed!

P.S. - I am not endrsing any store/website, just using for an example of the product.

Thanks!
Dan

[Chasman]

Dan

That's probably a good way to go. I looks likie a nice fixture. I saw something similar to it at one of my local fish stores and they had all kinds of coral bits in there. It was a cube tank that I would guess was about 14 gal. You may have to come up with some kind of stand or something to attach it to. Maybe even the wall, depending on where you tank is.

Chas