My First Clownfish Anemone Tank

Gear in this tank

Lighting

Aqua Illumination Prime 16 HD ×1 $42.99in stock

Return

MightyJet DC $24.99in stock

Controller

Bayite temperature controller

ATO

Reef Breeders Prism Auto Top Off $119.99in stock

Dosing

manual

Filtration

mechanical and chemical

Salt

Tropic Marin Pro reef $23.99in stock

Water Changes

weekly water changes, adding beneficial bacteria (MicroBacter7) and coral aminos

Feeding

Clownfish fed twice daily with small amounts of Hikari mysis shrimp, supplemented with TDO Chroma Boost pellets. Anemones target fed once a week with small pieces of shrimp or Hikari mysis shrimp mixed with coral food and aminos, right before a water change.

Protocols & Practices

• Used pre-cycled rock, sand, and saltwater from an established tank for a new setup to accelerate maturity.
• Aims for 150 PAR for BTAs, with low to medium indirect pulsing flow.
• Feeds anemones once a week with small pieces of shrimp, pellets, silversides, or reef chili.
• Protects anemones by placing guards over wavemakers and ensuring aquascape provides crevices for their feet.
• Uses CaribSea Special Grade sand, just enough to cover the bottom glass (less than 10 pounds).
• Aquascaping uses CaribSea LifeRock Nano Kit, arranged to create artificial crevices for anemones.
• Places aquascape closer to the rear of the tank to allow return pump flow to dissipate before hitting anemones.
• Recommends cycling new tanks with ammonia chloride and Fritz Turbo Start if pre-cycled rock is not available.
• Maintains stable water parameters, testing frequently and making changes slowly, avoiding bottoming out nitrates and phosphates.
• Uses activated carbon in the system to remove potential toxins sloughed off by anemones, changing it every couple of weeks.
• Heater (Finnex 50W titanium) is plugged into a temperature controller (Bayite) to maintain 77-78 degrees F.
• Quarantines all new livestock for a minimum of three to four weeks.
• Acclimates new anemones to lights slowly over several weeks, starting at 25% intensity and increasing by 1% daily.
• Maintains consistent flow patterns after initial adjustment to avoid stressing anemones.
• Encourages clownfish to host by gently placing them directly onto the anemone.
• Adds cleanup crew only after the first signs of algae appear.
• Feeds Hikari mysis shrimp to clownfish due to its clear mixing and low nutrient impact.
• Performs water changes immediately after feeding anemones to remove excess nutrients before they break down.

Target Parameters

Livestock