My tiny reef Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I've been thinking about and planning to convert part of my 10 gallon pod tank into a rock flower anemone breeding tank for a while now. Ever since my red rock flower had babies in my display tank and I was unable to find or reach to feed all of them, I've wanted to have more babies and be able to help them survive. I have one strong survivor that eats well daily and is growing well. I'm calling this "my secret flower garden" because it is under a cabinet where no one can see. I contemplated moving it so I could see it more often because it seems a shame to hide beautiful RFAs, but I have decided to keep it where it is for now for a few reason. 1. It will not get any extra lighting so hopefully will prevent unwanted algae & 2. It doesn't have to be pretty, I can build it and safety proof it for the baby nems. Today I took the first steps at converting. I pulled out the crushed coral from the front two thirds of the tank, put in a screen divider and refilled the front 2/3s with black Hawaiian sand. I have a few pieces of live rock that have been in for the pods and some rubble I've remove from my display. I plan to get another 2-3 small rocks but will not build up any sort of rock structure. The idea is to not leave a cave or area that babies could hide from feedings. The back 1/3 is an in tank refugium with chaeto, heater, and hang on filter, the idea is to keep the babies out of the filter or tangled in the chaeto with the screen divider separating them. I also have a power head in the front part of the tank where the RFAS will be but plan to cover it with mesh so the babies can't wander in and get chopped. I ordered a PAR 38 bulb but sounds like while it may support them, it's not the best option. I hope to upgrade that to a coral compulsion light soon. I leave for vacation on Saturday so nothing will go in until afterwards. I'm undecided about a clean up crew. I don't want anything that will churn up the sand too much and bury baby any babies. I'm thinking some small snails or taking some of my stomatellas from my display and putting in there. One already hitchhiked in on a rock. Any other suggestions? Here's a full tank shot, sorry the sand is still settling. Can't wait to get some nems in here!! Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I'm eyeing my freshwater 10 gallon and thinking the same thing... So what would be light wise in order to breed these guys? Also, for feedings, would just frozen mysis and stuff like that work? Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 I'm eyeing my freshwater 10 gallon and thinking the same thing... So what would be light wise in order to breed these guys? Also, for feedings, would just frozen mysis and stuff like that work? I'm no expert on lighting or RFAs by any stretch of the imagination but have been reading like crazy about them for weeks. I've seen some sites/sellers say they need high light but every article and forum post I read say they prefer lower light, like bottom of the tank or vertical over hangs. As for feedings, mine will definitely catch some mysis or cyclopeez when I feed the tank but I also spot feed her a tiny ( about the size of her mouth) piece of shrimp or scallop 1-2 times a week. I want to start a better variety, like they would get in the ocean, I've heard LPS coral pellets are used and silver sides. In this tank I want to try to carefully spot feed so there is not a lot of excess floating around in the tank. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I'm no expert on lighting or RFAs by any stretch of the imagination but have been reading like crazy about them for weeks. I've seen some sites/sellers say they need high light but every article and forum post I read say they prefer lower light, like bottom of the tank or vertical over hangs. As for feedings, mine will definitely catch some mysis or cyclopeez when I feed the tank but I also spot feed her a tiny ( about the size of her mouth) piece of shrimp or scallop 1-2 times a week. I want to start a better variety, like they would get in the ocean, I've heard LPS coral pellets are used and silver sides. In this tank I want to try to carefully spot feed so there is not a lot of excess floating around in the tank. All four I've placed immediately sought lower light. One currently is vertical, another right above the sand, and the two other (In another tank) low mid. Never sit horizontally in my expierience Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 All four I've placed immediately sought lower light. One currently is vertical, another right above the sand, and the two other (In another tank) low mid. Never sit horizontally in my expierience I think it depends on the nem and the lighting. What lighting do you have? I have 10k power compact and mine sat happily at the bottom for 4-5 weeks then went on a walk and worked her way to the top. It was pretty incredible actually. I thought she was heading for lower lighting (after I got new bulbs in the hood) but she went to the back and did a pull up through a small hole to the top rock and has stayed there for weeks now. Finding the hole Taking hold and pulling up Letting go of the foothold Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I think it depends on the nem and the lighting. What lighting do you have? I have 10k power compact and mine sat happily at the bottom for 4-5 weeks then went on a walk and worked her way to the top. It was pretty incredible actually. I thought she was heading for lower lighting (after I got new bulbs in the hood) but she went to the back and did a pull up through a small hole to the top rock and has stayed there for weeks now. Finding the hole [Pictures] Taking hold and pulling up Letting go of the foothold I have a Radion XR30w Pro , might just be that. They stay low since I'm blasting them with light? Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 I have a Radion XR30w Pro , might just be that. They stay low since I'm blasting them with light? Haha! Maybe! Give them some sunscreen and maybe they will stay out longer! Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 Went to pick up some supplies today and found out there is a large shipment of RFAs coming in next week. We are out of town until the 27th, hopefully there will be some good ones there when I get back! Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 Exciting day! I picked up 3 nems for the tank. I had been debating on if I should move my RFA from my display to this tank and decided I would only if she started walking around again, which she did last weekend. I think it's a good thing since I know she is a female, hopefully at least 1 of the 3 I got today is a male. Here's pictures of them just after going in, they looked larger in the store so I'll have to update pictures after they settle in a bit more and open up fully. Link to comment
cnseekatz Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Cool idea. Do they spawn frequently, or are you just hoping to get lucky (so to speak)? Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'm no expert, but going off what others on here who have posted and what I've read on other sites they can spawn 2-4 times a year. Here's hoping!! Link to comment
thecoralbeauty Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'm no expert, but going off what others on here who have posted and what I've read on other sites they can spawn 2-4 times a year. Here's hoping!! FlowerMama would know! Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 FlowerMama would know! Yep! She's my Yoda, may the force be with her nems! Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Where did you get those beauties? VIP reef? Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 Where did you get those beauties? VIP reef? Nope, got them local at The Inland Reef. I need to take a picture of his display tank next time I go, it is RFA dominant and beautiful. He has a good source for RFAs so gets them in pretty frequently and has great prices, only $60 for all three. Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Two more from my other LFS, a pink one and red baby with a purple mouth. Excited to see the growth rate for the little one. Done for a while although I did see VIP reef has some on their website now which is very tempting. Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Nems seem to be settling in nicely. A few have moved and they have all expanded a good deal since first going in the tank. The pink one and the baby haven't seemed interested in taking food yet but the other three have eaten. I think the green one and new red are spawning size, similar to my original red. Pink and zebra are close but not sure, they measure a little over 2 1/2 inches...thoughts on that? Updated pics showing expansion size. Red one - similar to my original but has a pretty neon mouth Zebra - with the blue lights there is a little fluorescence around the tentacles and you can see it on the mouth. pinky mooning me Baby looking bigger than I thought it was Green one, hoping it's a male since it's right by my known female...hopefully the proximity would have a very successful spawning. Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Also, has anyone had success with the staring at and telepathically trying to command RFAs to spawn methodology??? Or am I just wasting my time? Link to comment
plainrt Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Lol I wish I could figure out why mine have spawned. I'm trying not to change anything As I need some more. Still have a good 30 or more babies that I can count In My tank Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Lol I wish I could figure out why mine have spawned. I'm trying not to change anything As I need some more. Still have a good 30 or more babies that I can count In My tank If you figure it out let me know! And if you ever want to rid your tank of a few put me down as the first on the list of takers Link to comment
pgrVII Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Nems seem to be settling in nicely. A few have moved and they have all expanded a good deal since first going in the tank. The pink one and the baby haven't seemed interested in taking food yet but the other three have eaten. I think the green one and new red are spawning size, similar to my original red. Pink and zebra are close but not sure, they measure a little over 2 1/2 inches...thoughts on that? Updated pics showing expansion size. Red one - similar to my original but has a pretty neon mouth Zebra - with the blue lights there is a little fluorescence around the tentacles and you can see it on the mouth. pinky mooning me Baby looking bigger than I thought it was Green one, hoping it's a male since it's right by my known female...hopefully the proximity would have a very successful spawning.oil MN mklk MN vkiiij Jul I needunless oook Them nems be way nice looking,I've never kept rfa but they are quite the firework display it seems Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Nope, got them local at The Inland Reef. I need to take a picture of his display tank next time I go, it is RFA dominant and beautiful. He has a good source for RFAs so gets them in pretty frequently and has great prices, only $60 for all three. Wow! Does he sell online? Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Wow! Does he sell online? I'm not sure if he does yet but he plans to. He posted this not too long ago to the store's Facebook page http://theinlandreef.com/home/2110831 but I don't see where he has any WYSIWYG online yet. You can find him on facebook (the inland reef) and message him to see if he would. Very friendly, very helpful and always healthy specimens from him. I'm hoping he gets some ultras in soon, he usually sells them around $60-65 he says. Reds are usually $30-40, greens $20 and zebra/browns $10. Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 I'm not sure if he does yet but he plans to. He posted this not too long ago to the store's Facebook page http://theinlandreef.com/home/2110831 but I don't see where he has any WYSIWYG online yet. You can find him on facebook (the inland reef) and message him to see if he would. Very friendly, very helpful and always healthy specimens from him. I'm hoping he gets some ultras in soon, he usually sells them around $60-65 he says. Reds are usually $30-40, greens $20 and zebra/browns $10. Awesome! Thank you!!!! Link to comment
My tiny reef Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Them nems be way nice looking,I've never kept rfa but they are quite the firework display it seems Give them a try! I love mine and can't believe it took so long for me to discover them. They have it all...great colors and patterns, a good size and add movement and life to your tank. Love them! Link to comment
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