What Are the Required Water Parameters for Bubble Tip Anemone?

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It’s common knowledge among reefers that to keep a bubble tip anemone in your reef tank, you need to have stable water parameters.

But what exactly are stable water parameters, or to phrase it better, what are the best water parameters for keeping a bubble tip anemone?

That is a great question.

My reef tank is approaching the one-year mark, so I decided to add a bubble tip anemone. I went back and forward on this decision because anemones can move and sting other corals in the tank.

Finally, I decided to get an anemone for my reef tank because anemones are one of the reasons why I got into this hobby.

But before I added the anemone, I made sure that I did the research.

Here is what I found:

Bubble Tip Anemone Water Parameters

Water temperature: 76 to 82 Fahrenheit (24 to 27 Celsius) range.
Salinity: 1.024 and 1.026 specific gravity.
pH level: 8.1 to 8.4.
Alkalinity: 7.5 to 8.5 dkH.
Nitrates: 1 to 5 ppm.

Keep reading to learn more about each water parameter.

Contents

Water Temperature

Keeping stable water temperature in our reef tanks is the key to stability and maintaining a thriving and healthy system.

The ideal water temperature for bubble tip anemone is in the 76 to 82 Fahrenheit (24 to 27 Celsius) range. Keep the water temperature stable as much as possible.

Large temperature fluctuations can stress the anemone, forcing it to move.

Specific Gravity

Specific gravity is another important water parameter that you should pay attention to.

Keep your salinity levels between 1.024 and 1.026 specific gravity. Large fluctuations in salinity can stress your bubble tip anemone, force it to move, and even worse, cause long-term health issues.

To keep your salinity at the desired level you need a reliable refractometer, a calibration solution, and a good auto top-off system.

pH Level

The ideal pH level for a bubble tip anemone is between 8.1 to 8.4.

Keeping the pH level stable is not only important for your anemone but for the overall stability of the reef tank, as well.

Make sure that the pH level is always in the desired range.

Here is a tip for increasing the pH level without any additives: Open your windows for fresh air to come inside. It really does wonders.

Alkalinity, Magnesium & Calcium

Alkalinity swings can easily crash a reef tank, so keeping it stable should be on the list of your must-do priorities.

Anemones are not affected by alkalinity swings as mush as stony corals but will get stressed if there are large fluctuations.

Keep your alkalinity stable between 7.5 to 8.5 dkH.

Calcium and Magnesium are not important for the anemone but are important for keeping the pH and alkalinity stable.

Nitrates & Phosphates

People used to say that you need to have undetectable levels of nitrates and phosphates to have a successful reef tank.

However, the hobby evolved, and many hobbyists agree that having undetectable levels can cause other problems to arise in the tank.

I like to keep the nitrates in my reef tank at around 5 ppm. A bubble tip anemone would not have a problem thriving in those ranges.

Final Thoughts

Keeping bubble tip anemones alive shouldn’t be a difficult task. They are one of the hardiest anemones in the saltwater aquarium hobby.

However, they need a mature tank and stable water parameters to thrive.

The general rule is to wait for an anemone until your reef tank is a minimum of six months old. Many people have had success in keeping bubble tips alive in freshly set up tanks, but I would not recommend it.

Patience is everything in this hobby. Learn the basics, try keeping the water parameters stable for a while, and then decide whether an anemone is the right choice for you or not.