30 Gallon with Heteractis magnifica

[Titan Trigger]

Hi all,

I am in the process of setting up a 30-gallon tank (tall 24" x 12" x 24") with Custom SeaLife Prism Pendant (175W MH 10000K, 2 x 32W PC), Hagen Fluval 204 filter, ViaAqua Multi-Skimmer with 5w UV bulb.

The main animal is going to be the Heteractis magnifica with a pair of True Percula. My question is what kind of corals can I keep with this anemone? I am pretty sure it will stay high in the tank.

Thanks in advance.

Titan Trigger

 

[Anonymous]

You do know how big that Heteractis is going to get, right? Provided it survives and lives up to it's potential?

 

[reefsnreptiles1]

An H. magnifica will eventually fill up that entire tank and will outgrow it if kept healthy.

Also, if you haven't already purchased the lights I would strongly recommend going with a 250 watt halide for this anemone (this recomendation has nothing to do with the tank size but rather the fact that these anemones prefer very strong lighting and seem to have a better success rate under 250s and 400's).

For more info please see this:

http://www.reefaholics.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

 

[Len]

I strongly recommend against a H.magnifica. They grow very quickly and attain a mature size that is bigger then your tank's dimension. The smallest tank I recommend a H.magnifica in is a 60 gallon, and only if it's a species-specific tank (which H.magnifica tanks should be). These guys are very demanding compared to most other anemones.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got an S. Gigantea, somewhat similar to a magnifica. It's basically in a 125 gallon species tank. I've spent a couple grand just so I could keep this one anemone. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Also, since no one else has said this, I feel I should; please, do NOT mix sessile invertebrates with something that is both motile AND can sting as badly as this anemone.

 

[Quigonsean]

I must ask since someone linked to the Amenone Faq. I've found this FAQ very informative in planning my newest endevor. I must ask though I've always heard, read, and been lead to beleive that though noIndo/Pac Anemone's are easy the "Easiest" are E.Quadricolour, and M.doreensis. However, that FAQ List M.doreensis as more difficult, and though it lists E.quadricolour as easier it also with it list S.haddoni as, as easy as (what a lot of "as") E.quadricolour, when I've always been lead to belive it is one of the most difficult of the Indo/Pac. Anemones. Can anyone with experience/info. expound on this? Sea Maden you seem to be very knowledgable in reef keeping, and also in the "Anemone" area as well. I was, based on reaings of both Fenner, and Tullock, as well as internet, and Aquarium Fish Magazine planning on an LTA for thisd new setup owing that it seemws easier to get A.ocellaris to host with it than E.quadricolour, which due to lighting requirements would I prefer. But since both always seemed = on care I figured M.doreensis would host the A.ocellaris' I plan on adding. Wow I can't believe how much better I'm getting at the Scientific names. I wish I knew'em all as it somtimes, make that alot of times gets confusing with so many creatures given the same common name.

Sorry to "Hijack" I just wanted clarify that info I asked about in the link that was posted linking to the Anemone FAQ. Boy, not only do I babble on when talking, but I do it too when typing from bed infront of the tube that sits atot a window ac unit with a hose running the exhaust outta my room, and keeping me cool, my cat cool, and my RT cool enought I don't need a chiller on my tank.

Sean

 

[npaden]

Quigonsean,

I would have to say that some of the confusion would be because of the fact that the S. haddoni anemone has such a bad reputation as a fish eater (which is rightly deserved BTW). Also because in the past some have confused S. haddoni and S. gigantea with both being referred to with the blanket "carpet" anemone label. The S. gigantea are in the most difficult category and are much harder to keep. This lead many to say that carpet anemones are harder to keep overall when in fact the S. haddoni is not as difficult to keep as the S. gigantea.

Most everyone would recommend a E. Quadricolour as the best anemone to keep especially with captive clones readily available now. The reason why sometimes you will see people recommend the M.doreensis as the next best anemone to keep is more related to the fact that it isn't as much of a fish eater as the S. haddoni and most of the time people are wanting to keep the anemone in a mixed reef tank rather than a species specific tank.

Of course this is just my opinion.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

I'll chime in on what nathan said and let everyone know that I think I'm the exception that proves the rule. I've got what I'm about 98% sure is an S. Gigantea (there are many photos floating around the photo forum), and it's been downright bulletproof for me. But then again, I have a decade of experience and it went into a tank that had been up for more than 2 years. It is most definitely a fish-eater, and has taken many really nice specimens . But in the end, it's just too damn cool to get rid of.

 

[Quigonsean]

Nathen, and Sharky - Thanks guys, yeah good idea if I can find a captive raised clone BTA I'll go with that one. Wish I had the cash for a rose, but maybe can find a blue one. Foster and Smith gets blue ones occasionall;y. Now to find a blue Bubble Coral like in Jan 04 issue of Aquarium Fish...

Thanks Guys,
Sean Ward

 

[Titan Trigger]

So, after all, can anyone recommend an anemone for me in this tank? I REALLY like the magnifica but....can't have another big tank. I already have a 210 gallon fish-only tank. If you can suggest one that looks kind of like the H. magnifica but managable in a 30 gallon.

Thanks.

Titan Trigger

 

[npaden]

Titan,

I think you should look for a really nice large BTA. They can be much more colorful than the H. Magnificas IMO.

Here is a poor pic of my rose BTAs. I got one about 9 months ago and it has now split and there are 2.

The yellow tang is 5" nose to tail so you can see that even the BTAs can get fairly large. I've seen some nice green ones too that don't cost quite as much as the Rose ones do.

Most clownfish will adopt a BTA as a host if they aren't given any other choices.

FWIW, Nathan