We've only had this anemone for about 3 days. Hes a new addition. We had another one for about two weeks, but he got sucked up into the filter...now we have nets over the filters.
The tank has been set up since the last week of March.
Also, had bought a piece of live rock that had some sort of anemone on it. The people at the fish store told us it was a pest anemone. It didn't take long for that one to become about seven. Then one morning they were all gone, no cloudy water and no sign of them. Havent seen them since. We were having calcium and nitrate issues...could that have had something to do with their disappearence? If they all died, why didn't the water turn cloudy?
Thank you for the advice. There are 3 LFS that we go to, but in my opinion, it dosen't seem they know what they are talking about. Different people in each store will tell us different things, so we never know whats right and whats wrong...
1. ph - 8
nitrate - 20 Slipping up there but NOT critical yet
calcium - 400
phosphate - 0
2. 1 tomato clown (who is in the QT tank right now), 2 percula clowns, 1 damsel (also in QT with the tomato for fighting), 1 horseshoe crab, 1 red spotted hawk, 1 diamond back goby, 1 scooter blenny, 2 shrimp (peppermint shrimp i think), about 7 snails, about 5 tiny hermits, the anemone, and two sponges that came on live rock.
3. Its tap water, but it's from a spring. We let the water set up in a 32 gallon trash can w/ salt & calicum added. Keep a heater and power head in it. Tap Water from a sprint CAN still have contaminants and minerals that your REEF tank can't tolerate. RO/DI water is HIGHLY suggested for long term success.
4. At least once a week, sometimes more. About 30 gallons at a time.
5. 4 ft florescent, 2 bulbs - 1 coral life actinc f40 t12 bp & 1 plant/aquarium f 40 pl aq wide spect. we got the coral life from a fish store, and the other we already had. Here is a major problem. Those lights aren't for Reef Tanks at all. They are "T12" and very low in "intensity". You'll want to research Reef Lighting (T5 with Individual Reflectors or Metal Halide if you want anemone)
6. 125 gallon, 6ft long
7. about 20 pounds of live rock (we try to add live rock every week, is that okay?) and 60 pounds of live sand. As you already realize you're WAY low on Live Rock. Until you have sufficient amount your tank's BIOLOGICAL Filtration is going to be lacking.
The nitrates we are always fighting. Any tips for that? Is it okay to keep adding snails/hermits? We're going to hold off on buying any other fish or anemones. Heavy Water changes are your key to lowering Nitrates but it's going to be a HUGE battle until you have enough established Live Rock. that's a HUGE part of your filtration system.
If you don't mind I'll add a comment here. Big Al is very tactfully saying that your tank may be too new and not ready for any anemone.
I completely agree with him. Most anemones are very sensitive and demand pristine water conditions. Your tank should have very stable (never changing) water parameters. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate should ideally have tested at zero every month for 6 months. Nitrates at 10 is totally unacceptable.
Slow way down and read, research and ask questions. The folks here will help all they can.