this is me
Active member
Hahha. Will put that on the agenda for this weekend.
The flow is not anywhere near as strong though.
The flow is not anywhere near as strong though.
Blue Gigantea
- Thread starter msmith619
- Start date
msmith619
New member
I have a Hydor Korallia Nano 425 pointing straight at it from about 15 inches away. This is a video this morning when it gets full morning sun. I can replace two if my nanos with 600 gph PHs if this is not enough.
https://vimeo.com/113516099
https://vimeo.com/113516099
Although the flow is certainly better, I'm still not sure it's enough. Truthfully, you may need more than two nanos for a 56 gallon tank, especially if you intend to keep SPS and mags or gigs.
D-Nak
Active member
Anemones tend to like laminar flow, rather than direct flow from that of a powerhead. If you plan to keep anemones long term, it's probably best that you invest in something like a pair of Jebao WP or RW wavemakers (on the lower-end cost scale, but not much more than a typical powerhead) or a Tunze stream or Ecotech Marine MP or the new Maxspect Gyre.
addictedreefer
New member
+1 Randomized flow is the ticket with these guys.
msmith619
New member
I have 4 Hydor Korallia 425's in this 56 gallon column tank. Two are on a Hydor Korellia Smart Wave pump controller and alternate off and on at opposite sides of the tank for shifting currents every 30 minutes. I will move the PH tonight to not flow directly at the nem.
That plus:
Sump/refugium with a Mag 5 and two returns, one on each side at the back of the tank.
Remora Pro Skimmer with a Cobalt 1200 pump
Two Little Fishies GFO Phosban reactor with a Cobalt 1200 pump.
I would think that would be enough flow, but I can replace the two of the Hydor Korallia 425 Nanos that are NOT on the Wave Pump with two Marineland Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Power Heads that are currently not in use.
I set this tank up specifically for a colored Haddoni or Gigantea anemone. I want to make sure I give it the best possible environment.
There will be no sps, only the nem and some LPS. You guys have the success track record. I will go with your recommendations.
That plus:
Sump/refugium with a Mag 5 and two returns, one on each side at the back of the tank.
Remora Pro Skimmer with a Cobalt 1200 pump
Two Little Fishies GFO Phosban reactor with a Cobalt 1200 pump.
I would think that would be enough flow, but I can replace the two of the Hydor Korallia 425 Nanos that are NOT on the Wave Pump with two Marineland Maxi-Jet 600 Pro Power Heads that are currently not in use.
I set this tank up specifically for a colored Haddoni or Gigantea anemone. I want to make sure I give it the best possible environment.
There will be no sps, only the nem and some LPS. You guys have the success track record. I will go with your recommendations.
Last edited:
OrionN
Moved on
I have had Gigantea in lower flow than in the video I posted above. They don't look as healthy when they are under significant less flow.
From the video of "this is me" and my video, you should have a good idea as to the flow that Gigantea like. I have a fine sand bed and have to cover the sand with a layer of crush coral to keep the sand from been pick up by the water movement. That anemone have been with me for almost three years at this time and still doing great.
No mater how we slide it. Seeing it is the best. Now you should have much better idea as to how much flow Gigantea need. Not all LPS can take this kind of flow.
You have a very beautiful and healthy Gigantea. I hope that he will be with you for a long time. Feed sparingly or he will reach 24 inches in no time.
From the video of "this is me" and my video, you should have a good idea as to the flow that Gigantea like. I have a fine sand bed and have to cover the sand with a layer of crush coral to keep the sand from been pick up by the water movement. That anemone have been with me for almost three years at this time and still doing great.
No mater how we slide it. Seeing it is the best. Now you should have much better idea as to how much flow Gigantea need. Not all LPS can take this kind of flow.
You have a very beautiful and healthy Gigantea. I hope that he will be with you for a long time. Feed sparingly or he will reach 24 inches in no time.
taylor t
New member
I agree, higher flow will be needed for good health long term.
http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile Uploads/trim.l1jnAx_zpsl4xjw3v7.mp4
http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile Uploads/trim.l1jnAx_zpsl4xjw3v7.mp4
msmith619
New member
Wow! I thought I had done a lot of research before buying this anemone. I set the tank up to be compatible with either a haddoni or gigantea anemone.
My readings stated that the haddoni wanted a deep sand bed and low flow. The gigantea was listed as needing a deep sand bed at the edge of the rock where it could stretch from the rock into the sand. Also it was listed as wanting moderate flow.
The mertensii was listed as the carpet that loved high flow.
I created the deep sand bed with the rock edge for the gigantea to attached to or for a Haddoni to attach to the deep sand bed in low flow.
I have gone back since you guys have pointed out the flow issue and looked at some old post that Minh had put up. It appears that The data I was reading was all false and full of misleading information.
I have now increased the flow and am expecting that the anemone will probably climb onto the rock rather than stay on the sand and hopefully continue to do well.
My readings stated that the haddoni wanted a deep sand bed and low flow. The gigantea was listed as needing a deep sand bed at the edge of the rock where it could stretch from the rock into the sand. Also it was listed as wanting moderate flow.
The mertensii was listed as the carpet that loved high flow.
I created the deep sand bed with the rock edge for the gigantea to attached to or for a Haddoni to attach to the deep sand bed in low flow.
I have gone back since you guys have pointed out the flow issue and looked at some old post that Minh had put up. It appears that The data I was reading was all false and full of misleading information.
I have now increased the flow and am expecting that the anemone will probably climb onto the rock rather than stay on the sand and hopefully continue to do well.
D-Nak
Active member
Aside from forums like these -- that have folks who actually have these anemones -- most of what you read online about Stichodactyla sp. is inaccurate. Many articles even have incorrect photo IDs. When it comes to gigantea, you can really crank up the flow, so much so that the tentacles alongate and even whip around. However, I tend to like the look of my gig when it folds and hugs the rockwork, so I tend to tone down the flow a bit.
OrionN
Moved on
IMO prior to two three years ago, the number of Gigantea in the US that were doing well can be count on our hands maybe hand and toes. Only recently, the number of Gigantea in captivity exploded. Good information were hard to come by since may people who wrote about them did not actually successfully keeping them in aquarium. What I learned about Gigantea, I learned though actual experiences, plus correspondences and picking the brains of people who I know keeping Gigantea successfully.
taylor t
New member
I would be careful not to increase it too much too fast, based on it's reaction. If it's doing well so far, go slow. Now you know what the end goal for flow generally looks like. The flow in all those videos work well for healthy, established, acclimated gigs, for long term. For a new one still acclimating, it may, or it may not, like more flow initially. Be careful and watch how it reacts. It could try walking away from more flow, it may close up a little, it may expand and really like it. They all won't react the same, keep an eye on how it reacts, use your gut. If it's happy, and yours looks happy, go slow.
Generally, more flow can't harm them, and often helps them. Too little flow they can regress unnoticed and expand less. Take pictures everyday at the same time, and compare them yourself to the day before. Best of luck to you. :beer:
msmith619
New member
Day two he was in the same spot and showing no sign of moving. Fully inflated, mouth closed, tenctacles long and waving in the flow. The clowns were litterally bathing in the tentacles. I increased the flow as recommended. He was definately waving in the breeze. Then I went to work.
When I came home, he was much smaller and mouth open. He appeared to be reacting to the increased flow so, I returned the flow to how it was before and within an hour he was fully inflated again and mouth closed. He clearly did not the increased flow at that point.
Today is day three. Still in the same spot. Again, so sign of moving. Fully inflated, (he shrinks at night and re-inflates after the lights come on) mouth closed.
He still has his foot on the base of the rock and buried in the sand all the way down to the bottom glass. (Behaving like all those incorrect posts say he is supposed to behave- maybe he read the same web sites I did in preparation of taking him home!).
I will wait for him to become fully established before I experiment with changes in the flow. He is definately getting good flow, just not like the videos you guys posted.
For my own information: I understand the info on Gigantea is incorrect. I now realize this 'moderately difficult' anemone is much more difficult than the web sites lead me to believe. In the event that I am not successfull, is the info on haddoni's correct? It appears my set up might suite them better- dsb, lower to moderate flow, excellent lighting.
When I came home, he was much smaller and mouth open. He appeared to be reacting to the increased flow so, I returned the flow to how it was before and within an hour he was fully inflated again and mouth closed. He clearly did not the increased flow at that point.
Today is day three. Still in the same spot. Again, so sign of moving. Fully inflated, (he shrinks at night and re-inflates after the lights come on) mouth closed.
He still has his foot on the base of the rock and buried in the sand all the way down to the bottom glass. (Behaving like all those incorrect posts say he is supposed to behave- maybe he read the same web sites I did in preparation of taking him home!).
I will wait for him to become fully established before I experiment with changes in the flow. He is definately getting good flow, just not like the videos you guys posted.
For my own information: I understand the info on Gigantea is incorrect. I now realize this 'moderately difficult' anemone is much more difficult than the web sites lead me to believe. In the event that I am not successfull, is the info on haddoni's correct? It appears my set up might suite them better- dsb, lower to moderate flow, excellent lighting.
msmith619
New member
Day 4:
I have adjusted the flow to what appears to make the anemone happy.
It appears much fuller. Probably 50% larger today.
It has not moved from the sand/rock interface. Tentacles are elongating. No 'mouth-diving' by the clowns.
He gets about 1-2 hours of morning sun and really seems to like it. I have my Reefbreeders Photo 24 max out at 70%. Thinking of going up to 100%.
He ate a pencil eraser sized piece of fresh Alaskan salmon.
He is very sticky. The Peppermint Shrimp and Blood Shrimp try to steal the Mysis and Brine shrimp that land on it and jump like they got an electric shock so, I think his sting is strong.
It is too early to be sure but, it looks like this will be another Gigantea success story!
Not sure if he is blue or Purple. I have LEDs but, it is looking more purple to me.
One last video post. Then will not flood the site except for weekly updates. It looks like 8 weeks-3 months is the deciding point of if it is going to adapt and do well.
https://vimeo.com/113726851
I have adjusted the flow to what appears to make the anemone happy.
It appears much fuller. Probably 50% larger today.
It has not moved from the sand/rock interface. Tentacles are elongating. No 'mouth-diving' by the clowns.
He gets about 1-2 hours of morning sun and really seems to like it. I have my Reefbreeders Photo 24 max out at 70%. Thinking of going up to 100%.
He ate a pencil eraser sized piece of fresh Alaskan salmon.
He is very sticky. The Peppermint Shrimp and Blood Shrimp try to steal the Mysis and Brine shrimp that land on it and jump like they got an electric shock so, I think his sting is strong.
It is too early to be sure but, it looks like this will be another Gigantea success story!
Not sure if he is blue or Purple. I have LEDs but, it is looking more purple to me.
One last video post. Then will not flood the site except for weekly updates. It looks like 8 weeks-3 months is the deciding point of if it is going to adapt and do well.
https://vimeo.com/113726851
msmith619
New member
Morning sun. It gets about 2 hours a day. Much larger today compared to when it first came home. Probably twice it's original size. It ate a half of a cube of mysis last night. I thawed them, soaked them in Selcon for a few hours, loaded into a Turkey baster and blew into the center of the nem. It quickly(!) folded over and swallowed them all. Totally freaked out the clownfish who temporarily could not get in.
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