How to Keep an Anemone Tank

Sea anemones are jelly-like reef creatures that live in a symbiotic relationship with the various clownfish species. Although anemones are highly sought after by marine aquarists, they are not easy animals to keep in the confines of the average saltwater aquarium. A number of anemone species tend to move about in the aquarium and are often fatally damaged by heaters and filters. Sea anemones are very sensitive to poor water quality and require intense light in order to live.

Things You'll Need

  • Mature marine aquarium
  • Power head, including bracket and suction cups
  • Protein skimmer
  • Sintered glass biological material
  • Activated carbon
  • Filter floss
  • Canister filter
  • Heater, including heater guard
  • Hydrometer
  • Synthetic sea salt
  • Ph test kit
  • Ph booster agent
  • Carbonate hardness test kit
  • Carbonate hardness booster agent
  • Metal halide light
  • Sea anemone identification book
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that your aquarium has been running for at least 12 months. The system will have matured sufficiently during this period to house a sensitive sea anemone.

    • 2

      Place a powerful power head into the aquarium. Use the adhesive suction cups on the power head bracket to secure it to one side of the aquarium. Place a piece of sponge over the intake port, to prevent the anemone from being damaged by the motor.

    • 3

      Add a powerful protein skimmer to the aquarium. Choose a stand alone, venturi model, as these are typically more effective than the air-driven units. Place the skimmer into the sump and turn it on. The sump is a container which stands below the main aquarium and through which the aquarium water circulates.

    • 4

      Fill the biological compartment of a canister filter with high-quality sintered glass biological filter material, which is available from your aquatic dealer.

    • 5

      Place a high-quality activated carbon pouch into the chemical filter compartment of the canister filter.

    • 6

      Fill the mechanical filter compartment of the canister filter with floss.

    • 7

      Hook the canister filter up to the aquarium and turn it on.

    • 8

      Set the heater to between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a heater guard over the heater. This guard prevents the anemone from burning if it settles next to or attempts to climb onto the heater when it is on. Place the heater in the aquarium and turn it on.

    • 9

      Use a hydrometer to gauge the specific gravity of the water, which should be between 1.023 and 1.025. Add more synthetic sea salt to the water if the reading is too low. Add additional water if the reading is too high.

    • 10

      Use a pH test kit to test the water pH, which should be approximately 8.3. Use an aquarium pH booster agent to correct the pH level, if necessary.

    • 11

      Use a carbonate hardness test kit to determine the concentration of this water parameter, which must be between 8 and 12 German degrees of hardness (dKH). Use a booster agent to correct the carbonate hardness, if necessary.

    • 12

      Suspend a metal halide lamp over the aquarium. Sea anemones photosynthesize and require light of the correct spectrum and intensity in order to do so.

    • 13

      Take an anemone identification book with you when you go to purchase it, and check that the animal's color is not faded.

    • 14

      Place the plastic bag, in which the anemone arrives, in the aquarium. Add 20 cc of aquarium water to the bag every quarter of an hour, for at least two hours.

    • 15

      Drop a piece of fresh prawn onto the anemone's tentacles once a week.