Calling sunburst anemone EXPERTS: When to add one in 15G cube?

[Lost in the Sauce]

I’ll definitely be contacting WWC and TSA and see if they can let me buy some very old rubble rocks. I’ll still add some rubble
From kpaquatics and aquabiomics.

(I’m not rushing this obviously since I don’t even have fish yet. Also, why I’m asking the anemone experts.)

I'd skip both of them, personally. That isn't their core business.

Kp aquatics, miracle mud, @Eric Cohen, aqua biomics.. they all do this as a part of normal business. I'd personally get rubble from Kp and Aussie rubble from Eric and call it a day.

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

@Lost in the Sauce, thanks for your time
and suggestions!

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

TSA sells live biomedia!

Oh nice, I didn’t know! I’ll definitely buy some

 

[James M]

Your experience or just purely an opinion? I’ve been reading several threads here with people keeping regular BTA in smaller tanks but not surbursts though

Sunburst are BTA. Do it if you don’t want to wait 8months to a year, lots of people have success

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

Sunburst are BTA. Do it if you don’t want to wait 8months to a year, lots of people have success

I’d still like to wait at least until after Christmas. I just want to know more ways to have a higher chance of success!

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

I'd say 6 - 8 months if you started with live rock, 8 - 12 months with dry. That's how long it will take for bacteria populations to grow and parameters to become stable. The actual values of the parameters doesn't matter as much as stability. It's also good to have a medium-low amount of nitrate, about 5 - 15 ppm. Much higher and the anemone will brown out and do poorly, lower and it will starve. I added mine at about 7 months, but I started my tank with 50% real live rock. You can speed up the process by adding live rock rubble to the sump or AIO compartment.

I would suggest staying away from any of the expensive anemones at first. They might look better than a regular rainbow, but do they look 500$ better? There's also a significant chance of them browning out. Sellers will also frag them into little pieces about 1 - 2" wide. Anemones can survive that and grow to full size, yes, but tiny ones will be more delicate. They might fare poorly in shipping, or die after a few weeks/months.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

@Lost in the Sauce, thanks for your time
and suggestions!

Cheers

 

[James M]

I’d still like to wait at least until after Christmas. I just want to know more ways to have a higher chance of success!

Even better. Keep everything stable and you should t have a problem keeping one

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

I'd say 6 - 8 months if you started with live rock, 8 - 12 months with dry. That's how long it will take for bacteria populations to grow and parameters to become stable. The actual values of the parameters doesn't matter as much as stability. It's also good to have a medium-low amount of nitrate, about 5 - 15 ppm. Much higher and the anemone will brown out and do poorly, lower and it will starve. I added mine at about 7 months, but I started my tank with 50% real live rock. You can speed up the process by adding live rock rubble to the sump or AIO compartment.

I would suggest staying away from any of the expensive anemones at first. They might look better than a regular rainbow, but do they look 500$ better? There's also a significant chance of them browning out. Sellers will also frag them into little pieces about 1 - 2" wide. Anemones can survive that and grow to full size, yes, but tiny ones will be more delicate. They might fare poorly in shipping, or die after a few weeks/months.

Great, I appreciate this advice! I’ll make sure to keep nitrates between 5-10. I’ll definitely consider adding a cheap BTA as a starter but I’ll put it in a colander and see how she does. Would you say that if she thrives in 1-2 months then it’s safe to add a sunburst anemone?

I’m aware of anemone chemical warfare so I’ll donate the cheap BTA to my local reefers before I add a sunburst

 

[Lavey29]

This comment isn’t helpful at all, but ok thanks anyway

Lol, everyone has been proving you constructive comments on the time tines but it doesn't fit your expectations so you keep searching to find that elusive reefer who tells you to go for it why wait? I don't care about your wallet loss on an expensive item but I certainly care for the well being of the animal and perhaps you should too.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I'd skip both of them, personally. That isn't their core business.

Kp aquatics, miracle mud, @Eric Cohen, aqua biomics.. they all do this as a part of normal business. I'd personally get rubble from Kp and Aussie rubble from Eric and call it a day.

What's this Aussie rubble you speak of?

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

.

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

Lol, everyone has been proving you constructive comments on the time tines but it doesn't fit your expectations so you keep searching to find that elusive reefer who tells you to go for it why wait? I don't care about your wallet loss on an expensive item but I certainly care for the well being of the animal and perhaps you should too.

Actually you’re wrong sir/ma’am. If you read the thread, I’m not looking for anyone to validate my expectations. I’m truly asking for guidance. I’ve never had a BTA so hence the reason for my thread.

FYI, I do care for my animals, yes even my $1 snails.

I’m sorry you got offended from my reply. I’m just disappointed, I kinda expected more from someone with a “7500 club member” badge.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Great, I appreciate this advice! I’ll make sure to keep nitrates between 5-10. I’ll definitely consider adding a cheap BTA as a starter but I’ll put it in a colander and see how she does. Would you say that if she thrives in 1-2 months then it’s safe to add a sunburst anemone?

I’m aware of anemone chemical warfare so I’ll donate the cheap BTA to my local reefers before I add a sunburst

That should be all right, as long as the tank is established. However, give the "normal" BTA a chance. They can look very nice at times, very much comparable to the expensive sunburst.

(Photo credit goes to Whitlyn Aquatics)

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

Thanks to those who provided some helpful guidance so far! I will continue to do my water changes and diversify my biome!

I’m in no rush!

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

That should be all right, as long as the tank is established. However, give the "normal" BTA a chance. They can look very nice at times, very much comparable to the expensive sunburst.

(Photo credit goes to Whitlyn Aquatics)

I’m really liking what you suggested! I think I’ll add a normal BTA early next year and if it’s thriving after 1-2 months, I’ll donate it and add the sunburst! You’re awesome, appreciate you!

 

[Lavey29]

Actually you’re wrong sir/ma’am. If you read the thread, I’m not looking for anyone to validate my expectations. I’m truly asking for guidance. I’ve never had a BTA so hence the reason for my thread.

FYI, I do care for my animals, yes even my $1 snails.

I’m sorry you got offended from my reply. I’m just disappointed, I kinda expected more from someone with a “7500 club member” badge.

Excellent show us some beautiful anemone pics in April 2024 with your well established nano tank....best of luck

 

[Aaron75]

I am going to go with "never". Tank is too small for that IMHO.

I disagree...

 

[Aaron75]

I also have a 15 gallon. I started with live ocean rock, I had a heck of a first 6 months between bryopsis, dinos, cyano, alkalinity instability. Regardless, BTA are way more hardy than people make them out to be. I housed 10 at once because I got them for free, and that was at 4 months. I'd say if things are looking ok, 6 months would be fine.

 

[girlsdad_AAA]

Excellent show us some beautiful anemone pics in April 2024 with your well established nano tank....best of luck

I'll save your info and if I do decide to keep one, I'll definitely send you a pic or even a video.
Thank you for the best of luck wishes, I'll need it, nanos are not easy, but I'll try my best!