tank setup

Question
I have had very large salt water tanks in the past and have taken good care of them successfully but I haven't one in over 5 years.  I still know some basics but have only worked with large tanks.  I would like to start a tank but my husband and I really only want a small tank with a couple clown fish, an anemone and my husband really wants White Pulsing Xenia.  What is the smallest tank and tank requirements we can use?

Answer
Hi Dannielle

I am pleased to be of assistance.  There are several species of Xenia which you could be referring to.  I assume you mean the White Xenia from the Red Sea? (Xenia sp.)

This coral is very easy to keep and requires moderate light. If you are wishing to cut costs, power compact lighting will suffice.  I personally have xenia forest in my tank but this is under high end metal halide lighting.  There is no real minimum tank size to keep xenia in.  However, it could be beneficial to other organisms in your tank if the size was the largest you can afford.  I would say that depending on what fish you have/want, a 20g tank with power compact lighting (blue/white) would be fine.  Be aware that as this species becomes established, it will grow rapidly.  However, you can keep this in check by simply cutting the excess off and either throwing it away or trading/selling the cuttings with other fish keepers.  

In terms of water quality, Xenia sp. corals are quite hardy and require the following; pH = 8.0-8.6, ammonia = 0ppm, Nitrate = 0ppm, nitrite = 0ppm, specific gravity (salt level) = 1.024-1.026, magnesium about 1200-1400.

With regards to anemones, these require a very mature tank that has been set up with live rock for at least 6 months, preferably for a year.  These require pristine water conditions a very highly lighting - see the paragraph above for water parameters.  At least 150 watts of metal halide (14000 kelvin) or T5HO.  Both quite expensive lighting options.  I would suggest the bubble tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) as a good starter.  

I in a 20g tank, I would go for 2 true percula clowns (Amphiprion percula).  Buy two tiny junveniles so that they can pair up and potentially mate.  Two females may fight.  Also, be wary that clowns may not host in the anemone, I have had dozens of clowns since I started keeping fish and only about 40% have hosted in anemones.

Hope this helps.  If you have any more questions, please, just ask away.

Cheers

Michael