getting started?

[TheJudge411]

Can someone give me some tips and the best equipment to start out with? It would be my first saltwater aquarium and i think anenomies would be really cool. I dont have anything yet but its something i'd like to work at. Also where would be a place to get my stuff...like the tank and lighting and then the anemones themselves. I've been researching it but i haven't really found anything. Links would be nice.

[prow]

well first things first.


nice to have you join the party

on the equipment lets start with what you want. do you have an idea on what size tank? this matters to what skimmer and lighting you might want. i suggest you get a 100gal with a built in overflow and sump. ASM G-3 skimmer would be my suggestion for that type set up. then you need to decide on what you want to keep. anemones need good lighting and some moderate flow. the issue with anemones is they dont stay in one spot. as they roam they sting whatever gets in there way damaging corals and could kill them, this limits some of your choices pn corals, as some are just to sensitive to be housed with anemones. i would suggest you find a couple corals that you must have then we can start to look at lighting and flow needs, basically look sticking to the type corals like LPS, SPS, softies or polyps. i know not much help yet but after you decide on a couple things you will get better suggestions related to your tanks needs.

[AQTCJAK]

Welcome Aboard

[goldenmean]

Howdy Hoooooo!
Welcome to RS!

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[caitrina]

Welcome to RS, jump right in, the water is great, but make sure Jack's sharks aren't lurking first. Glad to have you aboard.

I agree with prior post but will add that anemones should not be put into a new tank. Will also tell you that once you get going, pictures are a big request around here, we love pics.

[prow]

Originally Posted by caitrina

I agree with prior post but will add that anemones should not be put into a new tank. Will also tell you that once you get going, pictures are a big request around here, we love pics.

i totally forgot about that added stuff, good call on both the no anomone for a new tank and how could i have not mentioned the pics.

off topic, travis owes you some karma for that

[blue_eyes53813]

Hello, Welcome to RS

[Cassette87]

Hello! welcome to RS! My best piece of advice would be to Read, Read, and Read some more before starting much of anything. Once you "push the first domino" of your tank, If you haven't done your homework, It'll make everything that much harder. Other than that, typically the larger the tank you can afford / get into for your first tank, the better. The larger the tank, for the most part, the easier it will be to care for since there is a larger volume of water, and therefore, a larger margin for error. Everyone here is great and dont be afraid to ask questions! We all gotta start someplace!

[lcstorc]

Welcome to RS! Great advice given so far but I want to repeat the most important parts.
Rule #1 take your time and do lots of research before you buy.
Rule #2 Make a plan for what you want to keep in your tank and research the inhabitants and compatability of the inhabitants.
Rule #3 Water changes with RO/DI water and a good salt are your best friend.
Then some warnings about an anemone. They are very light demanding so plan on getting some good Metal Halides or T5HO lights with good individual reflectors. Just as important do not add one until the tank is very well established. The recommendation is one year of solid water paramaters. Anemones are very delicate creatures and can be rather hard to keep. Get the tank up and running and get used to the maintenance required before even considering one.

[hma]

Originally Posted by caitrina

Welcome to RS, jump right in, the water is great, but make sure Jack's sharks aren't lurking first. Glad to have you aboard.

I agree with prior post but will add that anemones should not be put into a new tank. Will also tell you that once you get going, pictures are a big request around here, we love pics.

agree to Cat, an aquarium for anemones needs at least 1.5 - 2-year time before one can keep several anemones. With some anemones (BTA belongs to it) it also goes early, however, most are partially very sensitive.

This is one of my old mediterranean anemones tank, It was only with anemones, cancers, sea urchins and starfishes. Unfortunately I had to remove it in 2001.

BTW ... These were only cold waters anemones (22-24°C), in Europe no big challenge.

[TheJudge411]

thanks for the welcomes, But i dont think i'll be starting for a while just got a new paintball sponsor for next season so i need to put extra worka nd money into that to get the job done, and get a new gun . I'll be reading and watching though.

I like the green ones you had pictured there. When you guys say theydshouldn't be in a new tank what do you mean? ONly one or break in the tank first?

[prow]

break in the tank first, as in let it mature.

[hma]

Originally Posted by TheJudge411

thanks for the welcomes, But i dont think i'll be starting for a while just got a new paintball sponsor for next season so i need to put extra worka nd money into that to get the job done, and get a new gun . I'll be reading and watching though.

I like the green ones you had pictured there. When you guys say theydshouldn't be in a new tank what do you mean? ONly one or break in the tank first?

This type of anemones are only for experienced reefer definitely not for beginners. They are cold-water corals and anemones, ALL need one or twice a week fed. The water temperature should never be over 23 ° C rise already expected in many areas of the USA is a pretty big problem. They also need very stable water levels.

BTW these anemones are not traded in the United States, they are ALL anemones and corals from the Mediterranean.

Victor (vdituri) asked me "What at the red polyps (they look almost like zoanthids) in your picture from your mediteranean anemone tank?"

He probably think of this



These corals are Balanophyllia europea, very similar to the sun coral. The difference is that they all individual polyps and are NOT together as a sun coral. They are found in almost all coasts of the Mediterranean into 1-6m depth. They have Zooxanthellen, but also eat plankton.

[TheJudge411]

So to have an anemone or two i'd need corals also? Cans omeone break down what i'd need? I can look at the tank and all that but i know the clown fish but not sure on what kind, also the type of anemone would be helpful. After i get my 2008 gear setup for paintball i'll have all funds at my disposal. Im gonna checkout the tanks and crap, what would be a good size? what would be the smallest size? what would be to big?

[hma]

Originally Posted by TheJudge411

So to have an anemone or two i'd need corals also? Cans omeone break down what i'd need? I can look at the tank and all that but i know the clown fish but not sure on what kind, also the type of anemone would be helpful. After i get my 2008 gear setup for paintball i'll have all funds at my disposal. Im gonna checkout the tanks and crap, what would be a good size? what would be the smallest size? what would be to big?

As the first rule I would say, the greater an aquarium is, the easier it is to be stabilised and to maintain. I find a good size to start with is around approx. 90 - 120 gal. . At this size, sump and skimmer is a must in my eyes. Who wants to keep anemones, should start with soft corals begin after the cycle is completed. The first Anemone should be earliest after the 6-7 month in a new aquarium will be added, better it is a bit longer to wait . As the first Anemone I can only result in a Entacmaea quadricolor (BTA). They tolerated by all known me anemones rather beginner mistakes.