New Anemone Tank

[imcosmokramer]

I'm setting up a new anemone/clownfish tank. It's a 24x24x18 custom 1/2" acrylic tank. I have 4 RBTA, 1 GBTA, and 2 pink tips.

Here is a pic of the tank: http://www.reeftools.com/live/imcosmokramer/albums/5/23

Right now, I have 4 clownfish in a 55 with a scopas tang and a damsel (my first fish ever, so let it go!!).

Can I move all 4 clowns to the new tank? or is that to small? In the 55, they paired up into two pairs, and had no problems, bc there were so many anemones. Just looking for thoughts. (tang and damsel will go elsewhere).

[ocellaris123]

What type of clownfish, and are they sexually mature? Personally I would be nervous housing more than a pair of clownfish in all but the largest system but that is just me. If I were in your position I would only house one pair in your system.

[imcosmokramer]

they are false percs. 2 mature, 2 are not. if I see any troubles, I'll just split them up and only keep two in the anemone tank.

[Henryreef]

Looks like it is going to be a sweet tank!

[imcosmokramer]

Thanks Henry.

I really like the way the acrylic looks. I should have the rock/sand tomorrow (from Marco Rocks). I'll post pictures as soon as I get stuff.

[imcosmokramer]

I added some more pictures of the overflow and drains. http://www.reeftools.com/live/imcosmokramer/blog/17/

I'm planning on using an MP40W as the only source of flow in this tank. We'll see if that's enough. I'll probably put it at the side opposite the drain. Worse case scenario, I'll get something for the other site.

[imcosmokramer]

Alright!!! Sand got here today. It looks very fine, so I hope that doesn't cause any problems going forward.



I decided to do some very modest aquascaping. I was bad, and forgot to take pictures before the water was going in...





Mmmmmm, nice brown water. Here is a side shot with an MP40W.



And, last, but not least, with the Metal Halides on.

http://www.reeftools.com/live/imcosmokramer/blog/18/

There is still a ton of junk in there, but hopefully it will clear up by tomorrow morning and I'll add some new photos.

[imcosmokramer]

Looking for input on what type of clownfish to get.

[velvetelvis]

Lookin' good so far...I was admiring your Vortech. I just shelled out the $$$ for an MP10 yesterday (I think my hand actually shook as I handed over my card), which they kindly demonstrated for me before I decided to go ahead and take the plunge. Then I left without picking up the part of the powerhead that they had to dry off!

Oh yeah, topic. Were you looking to get bigger clowns or smaller ones? DD has a pair of Sanjay's black photon clowns and a pair of grade B picassos from ORA right now...

[fox2589]

hey tanks looking good..be patient with the sand i just filled my 37 gallon with it and it is extremely fine..my mp 10 blows it away..took about 2 weeks for it to look decent in the tank..good luck with the build!-drew

[Takara]

At first I thought that side shot of the cloudy water was all sand! I was like why is his tank half full of sand?? LOL

[imcosmokramer]

Sanjay's are sweeeeeeeet. I'm still deciding between an "exotic" pair, or a pair of naked clowns. Don't laugh, i like them

[imcosmokramer]

Originally Posted by Takara

At first I thought that side shot of the cloudy water was all sand! I was like why is his tank half full of sand?? LOL

don't mock my Deep Sand Bed!!! LOL

Drew, I'm taking my time here. The sand has already settled quite a bit, but we'll see what happens overnight. I'm in no rush here. Might have to run down there now....

[imcosmokramer]

Alright, so I woke up this morning and the tank had cleared out. One side effect of adding the sand is that my skimmer pumps stopped working. They were pushing water but making very large bubbles. I took them apart and washed them, but that didn't help. I am now running them through a water/viniger solution to see that helps.

Here are a couple of photos of the tank:

FRONT:

http://www.reeftools.com/live/imcosmokramer/albums/5/60

LEFT:



RIGHT:



I will fire the light on the tank either tomorrow or the next day, along with adding livestock. Let me know what you think.

I'm also considering different clownfish species at the moment. Feel free to voice your opinion

[Magga Pie]

Great looking tank! It is going to look really nice once everything is added. I have a couple pairs of clownfish and my favorite would probally have to be my black and white ocellaris maybe its because they where my first fish I added to the the tank. I know they are common but they are great fish. My 2nd fav pair is my wild caught true perc paired with a grade b picasso from ora. They are in a tank with an h.mag and they have alot of personality and are fun to watch.

Goodluck with your decision i couldnt make up my mind thats why i set up a few different tanks because I like clownfish so much lol

[imcosmokramer]

thanks Magga Pie,

Do you have any pics of the grade b?

[Magga Pie]

Its the one on the right. Its a lower grade b from ora. It doesnt have a crazy design but I like it. Since the pic the dorsal fin is all black and all along the white there has become a thick black line where you can see all of the new black coming in. The other fish is my wild caught perc. I paid a fraction for that what I paid for te grade b from picasso. And if you ask me they look pretty much alike design wise. But oh well hope you enjoy the pic

[imcosmokramer]

Your clowns are exhibiting dog-like behavior in this picture. I can see what you're saying about that being very similar. It doesn't seem to warrant the added expense.

The skimmer pumps work again, after a good wash and a h20.vinegar bath for 12 hours.

phewww

[imcosmokramer]

Today I moved over two anemones. A rose bubble tip anemone, and a green bubble tip with pink tips. I also turned one rock around, and pointed it out, rather than in. I think I like the aquascaping... not sure.

Here is the RBTA


The green with pink tips



And a full tank shot

http://www.reeftools.com/live/imcosmokramer/albums/5/68

I had to turn off the vortech when I added the anemones, to give them a chance to attach. I left the tank alone for about 20 minutes, came back, and they were there, attached and happy. Turned the light on, vortech on, and off I went. The skimmer is still shaky, I'll have to keep an eye on it for the next few days.

[Henryreef]

Looking good I will really be looking forward to seeing the tank full of clowns and anemones!

[dc]

Well it looks nice, I would have let the tank mature a lot longer before adding anemones tho.

Hopefully I'll get to reset up tanks at some point and I'd love to do a cube for an anemone tank.

[adtravels]

yeah, I may have waited a little longer before the nems, but You seem like you know what your doing and bta's are forgiving, and are unlikely to wonder across sand i would cover the vortech for a bit though. Nice pair of tomatos would look ace in there, and authentic, which is what I like to see in species tanks.
Good luck.

[imcosmokramer]

Oh, sorry...forgot to include this. I have a system in the basement that has about 180 gallons. This Cube was simply plumbed into the existing system, so no cycle will occur. I did not add any liverock (as there is plenty), so the only addition to the bioload are the nems. Again, I should have mentioned this.

AdTravels - the vortech is covered with the supplied "sponge" material.

dc - Why? "Current Tank Info: :^( Soon to be none! "

[adtravels]

i knew you knew what you were doing

[imcosmokramer]

Originally Posted by adtravels

i knew you knew what you were doing

No worries. I'd much rather have someone question a decision, than watch an entire tank full of live stock die from ammonia.

If I have time today, I'll bring 3 or 4 more anemones over today and post pictures.