Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hey everyone,

as most of you are aware, my system crashed and I'm currently setting it up as an anemone aquarium with various types of clowns, and I'll be transferring the water from my other systems.

I have a couple of questions - how strong should the lighting be for this setup?

Also, should I introduce the clowns first or the anemones?

Can anemones coexist near each other, or is that not recommended?

Thanks, Scott

If you're setting up a new tank for anemones, it's best to use clean seawater - don't use old water from another tank.

Mixing different species of clownfish is a bad idea, they'll fight and kill each other.

You can keep multiple anemones in the same tank, but they'll fight if they touch. So unless you've got a big tank, I'd stick to one type of anemone. You can have multiple of the same species, just give them their own space.

Lighting's important for keeping the colour in them. You'll need enough light, but how much depends on the tank size and how long the lights are on. Similar lighting for anemones or corals is what you're aiming for.

Adding fish and anemones at the same time is fine, as long as the tank's cycled. But if you add the anemones first and let them settle for a month before adding the fish, it's better for them.

If you've got powerheads or power filters, put a sponge over the intake so the anemones don't get sucked in.

No anemones should be kept in a new setup, the tank needs to be at least six to eight months old. Lighting requirements vary for different species, so you'll need to research that. And yes, if you put multiple species in one tank, you'll end up with warfare.

You've got some time to do your research while your tank is maturing - and that's half the fun of keeping a salty tank, if you ask me. Take a look at this link, the site owner knows her stuff about bubbletip roses.

http/www.karensroseanemones.com/

Seffie x

hey every1

finished all my water changes today, got the old water in from the other reef aquariums and topped it off with 3" of fresh saltwater. my breeding tank's been doin great, got 4 different types of clowns in there and they've all grown up nice. just added 2 bubble anemones in with 'em, and moved all the other clowns over.

thanks scott

It seems you disregarded both coltin's and my advice.

this really gets my back up, Seffie and Colin put in a lot of effort with their replies, and you just disregarded their advice.

They've spent time researching for their own tanks so they could help you, and you just ignored them. Not only that, but you've wasted their time too.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're not willing to help you again. I genuinely wish you the best of luck, because you're going to need it - the chances of you losing a lot of stock are high. If the nems fight and one dies, it could be disastrous for your tank.

rant over.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around why you chose to ignore Colin and Seffie's advice. Those two took the time to share their knowledge with you, and it's clear they're coming from a place of experience.

Their warnings were meant to prevent your tank from crashing again, and it's frustrating to see their efforts disregarded. It's not just about giving advice, it's about sharing the lessons they've learned the hard way.

I genuinely don't get why you wouldn't take their suggestions seriously. It's like you're setting yourself up for disaster, and it's not just your tank that's at risk – it's the lives of the creatures in it.

Hi

I didn't ignore all of your advice, I did some research and went to both my local fish stores, they said it's fine to use water from other tanks, and I've acclimatised everything, the clowns and anemones are looking great today. My mates have done it before and had no issues, the water came from my own tanks, so I'm not sure why you think it won't work for me.

talonix wrote: ↑Sun Jun 01, 2025 3:43 pm Hey everyone,

as most of you are aware, my system crashed and I'm currently setting it up as an anemone aquarium with various types of clowns, and I'll be transferring the water from my other systems.

I have a couple of questions - how strong should the lighting be for this setup?

Also, should I introduce the clowns first or the anemones?

Can anemones coexist near each other, or is that not recommended?

Thanks, Scott

You've gone and done exactly what we all warned you against. Adding all those nems and clowns to one tank is a recipe for disaster. I'm seriously concerned for the health of your livestock.

I think there's been a major misunderstanding. The issue isn't about the water itself, it's about putting anemones in a tank that's not fully mature. Just because the water is mature, it doesn't mean the tank is ready for anemones.

And let's not forget about the clownfish - mixing different species is still not a good idea.