IM 25G Lagoon Ritteri Magnifica anemone tank

R

reefchi

Member
Hello All,

I’m going start a new tank build and wanted to share it here as well as use it as a way to document things for myself. I currently have a 10g nano tank I have been running for the last three years or so. This is my next/upgrade tank I'll be doing. After several years I kind of found what I like and don't like in terms of reefing. I decided to do a dedicated species tank which is going to be the Ritteri/Magnifica anemone. I been doing a lot and still on going research on these anemones. With all the inform I have gathered from this site and including the BRS Magnificent anemone video, I will be attempting it.

Disclaimer: I’m fully aware and understand a 25g tank isn’t recommended for a Ritteri/Magnifica anemone BUT I’m going to give it my best attempt.

I’m currently building out this tank solely dedicated for a Ritteri/Magnifica anemone and a pair of clowns. All the equipment I been gathering is to be able to provide the anemone the requirements it needs other than the tank size itself.

I’ll be using is a Straton Pro 102 for lighting. I might add a Kessil A360x as a spot light if I think it needs it, but trying to avoid it as I like the look of just the Straton.

For this year I’m going to simply setup the tank and Aquascape it then fill it up with water. In January I have a shipment from TBS coming and that’s when I’ll consider my cycle to start. I will be using Marco rock for the main Aquaspace and all live sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater and a few rubble pieces. After this I’ll probably let run for several months before adding a pair of clowns I have in my current nano tank.

I'll add more notes on my build but for now I just wanted to get this thread started before I forget or never do it.

  • Equipment (The goal is to keep it simply but we know how that goes)
    • IM 25g Lagoon tank
    • For the stand I used an Ikea kitchen cabinet Sektion that has been reinforced
    • Mightyjet mid size 538 GPH return pump
    • x2 Clev’s Turbulent Flow Nozzle
    • x1 MP10 with Clev’s new guard
    • Straton 102
    • Possibly add a Kessil A360x
    • IM Auqa Shield UV Sterilizer Desktop
    • Duetto2 ATO
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If anyone has kept this type of anemone before, let me know if you have any advice/tips. Or if know anyone knows any LFS in the Chicagoland area that might have one that would be great to know. From what I understand these are notorious for shipping bad. I would prefer to get one locally but I never seen any locally. Thanks
 
Setup looks beauuutiful! I like your nem idea, and I hope it goes well. Very cool nems, unfortunately I’ve never kept one and have not seen one around.
 
Looks great! I think you will be fine with the 25 as you’re equipped to keep parameters stable. This wasn’t a thing back in the day for small tanks and thus you will keep hearing old tales of “it can’t be done” but as time and tech goes on, more and more things are possible.

I am on the lookout for a healthy gig myself but those are also few and far between. Your best bet is to ask stores for a pre-order. I’m hearing the LFS in Morton grove brings in some serious carpet nems.

Regardless, as you mentioned these anemones ship poorly and typically should be hit with a full cipro routine. If you’re on R2R, OrionN is the guy to talk to about anemones, he’s the king of rare anemones.
 
I have a 25g anemone tank, and your flat rock is not a particle. Anemones like to anchor the foot in holes/craves. I would suggest smaller rocks piled up or a bigger rock with many holes in it. Anemones don't like flat surfaces.
 
Fish_wiz2 said:
Looks great! I think you will be fine with the 25 as you’re equipped to keep parameters stable. This wasn’t a thing back in the day for small tanks and thus you will keep hearing old tales of “it can’t be done” but as time and tech goes on, more and more things are possible.

I am on the lookout for a healthy gig myself but those are also few and far between. Your best bet is to ask stores for a pre-order. I’m hearing the LFS in Morton grove brings in some serious carpet nems.

Regardless, as you mentioned these anemones ship poorly and typically should be hit with a full cipro routine. If you’re on R2R, OrionN is the guy to talk to about anemones, he’s the king of rare anemones.
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I agree I think tech and all the equipment have come a long way these way to allow to achieve certain things on these nano tanks nowadays.

I'm going to ask a LFS near me to see if they can order one or even if they have access to a supplier who has them. It looks like I mainly see them available online from different vendors but I'll keep searching around locally.

I have a 10g tank I purchased from Petco for a qt setup I would be doing for this anemone. OrionN's qt process from R2R is exactly what I'll be doing since its been a proved method.
 
Pawel said:
I have a 25g anemone tank, and your flat rock is not a particle. Anemones like to anchor the foot in holes/craves. I would suggest smaller rocks piled up or a bigger rock with many holes in it. Anemones don't like flat surfaces.
Click to expand...

Yeah I remember seeing your tank and it was full of BTA and can barely see the clowns in them, which was very cool to see. I think I agree some anemones like the BTA do like that, but from researching and reading other people's experience Ritteri/Mag like smooth surfaces to have their big foot attached to and not get cut when moving around. From watching a BRS video they did, they used some Aquaforest rock becuase it was smooth in order to prevent cuts that could lead to bacterial infection if it moved around.

Its going to be trial and error I think. I have some other Marco Rocks available in case this doesn't work out.
 
Update 12/27/2024
A few things I ordered before the holidays, arrived and I just got around to getting them installed while I had some time off work.

I got these two Turbulent Flow Nozzle from Cleven to help with random flow which should help with the anemone.

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Normally this IM25 comes with a Mightyjet 326GPH but I decided to swap it out with a Mightyjet 538GPH to increase the waterflow on top of the random turbulent nozzles. IT barely fit so hopefully its not as noisy since its so close to touch the back walls. I'm pretty sure the water will need to be increased in the Display tank. Worse case scenario I'll swap it out if it doesn't work.

I'll also be adding a MP10 with a Cleven anemone guard for additional random flow. With all this flow, it should be more than enough in a tank this size.

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I went to home depot and purchased the slimmest cord cover I could find that would fit the Straton Pro power cord. I feel this makes it look cleaner and from far it looks like the Straton Pro is floating.

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I decided to add this Kessil x360a with a narrow reflector I had to use as a spotlight. A lot of people do seem to recommend and supposedly help these anemones from wondering and moving around. BRS also used these which why I also added it along with the setting they used as well. Realistically the Straton Pro should be enough par but I figured I add it since it's the light I would be using in the QT process and should add more light since Ritteri/Mag are notorious for loving light. Might be overkill but we'll see. I'll be renting a par meter from my LFS to get a gauge of what Par I'm getting.

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These are the settings I'll be using at the Kessil and starting at 30 percent intensity since I have the narrow reflector.

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Got this heater I'll be using along with an inkbird but honestly, I think I won't be using it as much with the amount of light and return pump power I have on this tank. I'll see once I get it filled up with water.

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In the next week or so I'll add some Mortar in between the shelf rock so it doesn't move. Then add water and some Fritz or Tim and Only to start the cycle.
 
Update - 1/8/2025

I decided to install the Kessil full angel adapter for two reasons. It allowed me to further move out the Kessil light so it wouldn't be directly under the Straton. It also let me aim the light source exactly where I want it.

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Earlier in the week I mixed some E-Marco Mortar and added it between the shelf rock and the rock that connects to the foundation rock. I just wanted to make sure this rock structure wouldn't fall or move in case the anemone decides to go for a walk.

I finally added water to the tank and some Fritz Turbo to get the cycle going.

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I added the MP10 with a Clev nem guard. The flow should now be adequate for the size of this tank and anemone. The tank looks a little bit cloudy in the picture since I just added the Fritz Turbo.

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UPDATE: 2/12/2025

Late last month I got my shipment from TBS and I added the live sand and some live rubble. As of now the tank is cycled but still thinking how I should approach this. Should I let sit like this for a few months or just start turning the lights on slowly? I transferred the coco worm from my other tank and added some copepods after the tank was cycled.

I got the chance to see Sawdoney's tank and was very impressive with it. I've never see something like that in person or even at any of the LFS near me. It left an impression on me and made rethink what I wanted to do with this tank. My initial thought was to get a Magnifica but after seeing his tank it made me want to attempt at keeping some SPS and LPS corals. I think I have the proper equipment to support SPS but don't know how to approach it.

I'll probably first start with redoing the rock structure since right now I basically just have a flat shelf rock as an island. I still need to transfer my pair of clowns into this tank as well.

For those who have kept SPS, should I let the tank sit like this for another month and then gradually turn the light on? Then add corals slowly after I get the uglies? I might be over thinking here.

I'll also will remove the Kessil since the Straton should be more than enough for corals. The Kessil was just there for extra lighting for the Mag.




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I’m happy to help where I can. Feel free to text me.

First, great looking tank and you’ve got way more than enough light! Regarding rockwork, I’d redo it so it slopes up from front to back. Otherwise you just have a plateau with coal all at the same level and no layering effect. Plus you’ll want lower light SPS like stylos and digis toward the bottom and acros on top. Although with your shallow tank and that light, you’ll be able to grow acros anywhere. Might want to make two stacks of rock instead of one….one bigger than the other for asymmetry.

Regarding taking care of the SPS, you can really focus on keeping your alkalinity good. Then worry about calcium and magnesium, although I don’t even test for these. I simply add kalkwasser to my topoff water and that more or less maintains alkalinity and calcium. You surely need an alkalinity test because you’ll want to test that somewhat frequently until you get the hang of it. I suggest Hannah alkalinity tester because it’s easy and accurate (although a little expensive). You’ll want to have “two part” (alkalinity and calcium) on hand if you need to make corrections or if that is your sole additive.

I’m not sure where you have the coral you got from me, but I’d suggest just putting it in the tank and seeing how it goes. If you kill it I’ll replace it for you. The stylos and digis should be easy…the acros…maybe not as much, but don’t sweat it if you kill them. I assume there are some “getting started with SPS” type things you could read on R2R.

If you ever want to come by and spend 45 minutes with me, I’d be happy to show you my processes….but there are a lot of ways to skin the cat.
 
Sawdonkey is the man! Maybe I’m biased as I own his old tank and also went sps dominated.

Everything that he said is spot on and I would take that advice. Although one of your questions was to start using the light and I’d say yes once you re-aquascape as you’re going to go through a minor ugly phase even with live rock and sand. Get that out the way and it’s time for acros.

Also feel free to reach out if you need any advice or tips.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions and help. Over this weekend I reworked the aquascape with some extra rocks I had. The idea I was trying to go for was having two separate islands but each one having layers to them. Basically like Sawdoney mention having the layering effect. I'm going to start with this and see how it goes. I will start transferring some corals over it and turn on the lights with some kind of acclimation.

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