Still tossing this around

[Obsidian]

So for a while I have been tossing the idea of a clown fish and anemone around. I want to get the clownfish (Percula I think) and a green bubble head, or other color variety anemone in a 20 gallon tank. I don't have a place for bigger than that.

SO what I want to know is if I should get any other coral type livestock. I am fine with just the fish, the anemone, and the live rock but I am not sure if it wold be good to add anything else.

I am still not positive I am going to do this, just toss it around every now and again and try to figure out what it would look like if I did do it.

[Obsidian]

Other things:
Would I have to use RO/ Distilled? My tap is 8.0 which fits the clown and anemone.
Would I need to have a sump?

I really just want the tank and nothing else aside from basic equipment (filter, heater, powerhead, possibly a protein skimmer, lights).

[Ladayen]

Tossing fish around is a bad idea :P

Everyone I know uses RO water for salt tanks, although not having a salt tank myself I never questioned why, when the PH needs to be quite high. I suspect it's because freshwater contains certain trace elements not found in salt water. Anyone with knowledge clarify?

[kay-bee]

Tap water can contain substances which can contribute to nuisance algae, cyanobacteria or prove harmful to sensitive corals and inverts.

RO and RO/DI units strip the impurities from tap water. Essential minerals and trace elements are then reconstituted when the salt mix is used to create saltwater.

I'm not experienced with anemone's but I am of the understanding that they require a matured tank with very prestine and stable water parameters and that 20gal may be too small for them.

Originally Posted by Obsidian ...what I want to know is if I should get any other coral type livestock...

What type of lighting do you have?

[Obsidian]

I don't have any yet. I could get good ones I am sure.

[funlad3]

You'd need a skimmer, at least 4 T-5s on the 20 gallon, and yes, RO would be the smartest water to use. You'd also need to let the tank run for over six months, if not a year, before adding the anemone.

Still, in my experience, it's worth it.

[TheOldSalt]

You have to bear in mind that anemones are only three cells thick. This makes them freakishly sensitive and at the mercy of their environment. In fact, it's pretty amazing that they're as tough as they are despite that. Anyway, your tank must be pretty much perfect to keep anemones very well. Corals are considerably easier to maintain.

All that said, it's certainly doable, your plan. You just won't be able to slap it together in a weekend with any hope of it working.

[Obsidian]

Well by no means would I slap it together in a weekend I really love the idea of this, but I am not going to jump into something just because it seems like a good idea at the time. I also think of it regularly enough that my interest has grown.

I cannot put a RO system in my house- I live in an apartment and the sink is not set up correctly. The best I could do is one of those on tap units. I'm thinking that would be better than straight tap so it might be a happier medium. I guarantee you I am not buying gallons of RO water from the store.

If I get the anemone a year later, would the clown still accept it? I don't want to do anything to hurt a living thing if I can help it, so I won't put it in until I know what the heck I am doing.

[funlad3]

Originally Posted by Obsidian If I get the anemone a year later, would the clown still accept it? I don't want to do anything to hurt a living thing if I can help it, so I won't put it in until I know what the heck I am doing.

It might take a month or two, but it should eventually do so. A better alternative to an anemone could be a hammer coral or a hairy mushroom coral. Both are much easier to maintain, are less expensive, and a clown would appreciate them about the same.

[Cydia]

Originally Posted by Obsidian Well by no means would I slap it together in a weekend I really love the idea of this, but I am not going to jump into something just because it seems like a good idea at the time. I also think of it regularly enough that my interest has grown. I cannot put a RO system in my house- I live in an apartment and the sink is not set up correctly. The best I could do is one of those on tap units. I'm thinking that would be better than straight tap so it might be a happier medium. I guarantee you I am not buying gallons of RO water from the store. If I get the anemone a year later, would the clown still accept it? I don't want to do anything to hurt a living thing if I can help it, so I won't put it in until I know what the heck I am doing.

Just a thought, my LFS(& my local hydroponics store) has RO water for about $1.15 a gallon with the additives for fresh water and i think $1.25 for salt. i have these 5 gallon jugs that have caps and every time i used to make a trip there i would fill them up.

For lighting ive used Odyssea for almost a year now and they work well. here is few links

http://www.aquatraders.com/24-inch-4...re-p/52323.htm

http://www.aquatraders.com/24-inch-4...re-p/52303.htm