carpet anemone? need some advice from the carpet masters!

[Charlie97L]

ok guys, there's a gorgeous carpet in the LFS, green, about tennis ball size. i'm considering, but i wanted some feedback. i know a lot of people have been really successful keeping carpets on this board. i want to know if you think i'm ok to get it, both equipment and livestock wise.

here's what i'm running
58 gallon, 20g sump, 20g prop tank
asm g2 skimmer
250w SE 10K halide
2x39w actinic t5s
150w DE 10K halide on prop tank

in the main tank, i have
yellow tang
bangaii cardinal (probably removing this guy soon)
ruby wrasse
purple firefish
scooter blenny
clarkii clown
rainford goby
2 cleaners
1 peppermint
snails/hermits
some lps, softies, sps, and 2 clams
3" aragonite sandbed

in the prop tank, i have
goby/pistol combo
snails
3" sugar-grain sandbed

tank has been cycled since early february, haven't had any parameter problems, aside from a recent phosphate outbreak due to my RO/DI being stupid.

i know these are tough creatures, and i'm not dead set on getting one, i just saw it and was interested. i figure it could go either in the frag tank or main display. i'd prefer it in the main display, but whatever would be better.

if you guys think it's a no go, either because it would not be compatible with my livestock, or my tank isn't where it needs to be, chime in, like i said, i'm not dead set on this.

also, is this size (tennis ball) too small for a good specimen? it looks great, has nice folds, and excellent color.

edit: flow is a mag7 return, 2 modded mj1200s, and an mj600 on a hydro flow.
frag tank flow is (after this weekend) mj1200 return, and mj600 in tank.

[cheeks69]

Do you know which Carpet it is ? If it's a Gigantea or Mertensii I would completely avoid them if it's a Haddoni and is in good condition then I would consider it BUT it's a very aggressive anemone and has a very potent sting so anything it comes into contact with could possibly be killed.

[Charlie97L]

i'm aware it's very aggressive, that's one of the main reasons i haven't made up my mind yet.

i believe it's a haddoni, i'll have to check.

i'm leaning away from getting it... hmm.

[lcstorc]

Wow! You picked a tough weekend for this one. The two resident carpet experts I know (Witfull and Woodstock) are both in Houston. Hopefully they will see and respond to the post.
I do know that they like a well established tank, lots of light, and will eat or sting anything that gets too close. Most people say to wait a year minimum before getting any anemone so you are a bit short on that one, but it is certainly not a brand new system so it is possible you can get away with it I am just not sure.
Read through both of their chronicles to see the experiences they have had and try a search on here and even google to see what info is out there. It appears they have net access so hopefully someone who really knows will respond.

[cheeks69]

I had a beautiful green Haddoni and it made quick work of a 5" Blue Throat Trigger. I would consider having a species tank with the Haddoni and clowns and keep it out of the reef tank IMHO.

[Charlie97L]

yeah, that was my other thought.

i'd need what, 20-30 gallons? and a metal halide, right?

[cheeks69]

The Carpet Anemones grow very large more than 3 feet in the wild so IMO at least a 30 gal tank and AFA the lighting you can do T5's since the Haddoni isn't as light demanding but I prefer Halide for all the Hosting Anemones.

[Charlie97L]

ok... so, a 29 would be ok probably?

i'd run a hob skimmer, sand bed, lr, clowns, and either t5, or the metal halide i have layin around. that would work? (obviously, at least until it gets bigger).

i'd pull some rock and sand and water from my tank to make sure it was ok, stability wise.

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by Charlie97L

ok... so, a 29 would be ok probably?

i'd run a hob skimmer, sand bed, lr, clowns, and either t5, or the metal halide i have layin around. that would work? (obviously, at least until it gets bigger).

Sounds good to me

[Charlie97L]

coooool. well we'll see how it goes!

thanks buddy!

[boozeman]

A healthy carpet is very...very sticky!!

[Gina]

Good luck with your carpet purchase Charlie!
Post a pic after you get things set up for it.

[burning2nd]

check it out good b4 buying,

ask for the lfs guys to feed it, (in front of you) reguardles of the time of day, if its heathly it will make short time of a small peace of meat.

[cheeks69]

Originally Posted by boozeman

A healthy carpet is very...very sticky!!

That is an understatement...lol
When mine was roaming around I tried to move it away from my SPS and it completely wrapped itself arond my hand I almost had to tear it off ! It left it's stinging cells all over my hand

[Charlie97L]

well it wolfed mysis at the store. it's on! i'm crazy!

i'm going to get a bowfront or cube, instead of a 29 standard, which will give it a more room to stretch. what would you guys do? he's only 3" right now. i'm leaning to the bowfront, i figure i'll get at least a year out of that, but that's when i move, then i can upgrade no problem.

i'm going to run a remora hob skimmer, and the 4 bulbs 24" t5 fixture from aquamedic, or a sunpod, i haven't decided on that yet. probably t5s.