Coloring up Carpets

[criccio]

Nope, looks like it's an S. gigantea.

May I ask what they're permanent homes specs are?

 

[COreefer]

No what I suggested in the last post is not practical for most hobbyists but does help explain why they fail.

the qt crowd annoy the crap out of me and this is why. I have yet to meet a person who entered the reefkeeping hobby that failed because they did not QT and I know a lot of reef keepers. You are getting on your qt soap box at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

 

[COreefer]

Okay so the consensus seems to be that these carpets are stressed. How does one tell that they are happy and healthy other than them not dying? My observations with their behaviour would lead me to believe they are not completely unhappy. They take food. The clowns are able to manipulate them. Their structure is solid (not limp). I do get that when they decline it can be fast, though.

Also, I haven't heard any comments on the fact that I don't have a sand bottom. Could not having a sand or rocky bottom be stressing these carpets out? They have stayed in one spot solid together since I've introduced them to the tank. What i'm trying to say is that they do not seem discontent with their location.

The only way you are going to be able to determine the health of these animals will be to get them into an established display. the sand issue is not that important at S. Gigantea tend to prefer the rockwork. That small of a tank, with that heavy of a bioload is enough tpo make your anemones unhealthy or appear unhealthy.

 

[Hellaenergy]

May I ask what they're permanent homes specs are?

That is still being determined. I will not be keeping all of them. At least two will be distributed to other hobbyists. That is if they are healthy and happy enough to do so.

In short, the one I was planning on keeping was most likely going go in a 120g mixed reef with 8 x T5 54W lighting. But now with the input I've received here I'm rethinking that whole idea.

 

[Hellaenergy]

The only way you are going to be able to determine the health of these animals will be to get them into an established display. the sand issue is not that important at S. Gigantea tend to prefer the rockwork. That small of a tank, with that heavy of a bioload is enough tpo make your anemones unhealthy or appear unhealthy.

Thanks for the reply but that still does not tell me specifically how you determine if they are in fact healthy. So the question still stands.

 

[Hellaenergy]

you may find this thread helpful

http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1795418

Thanks jonnybravo22, this was in fact helpful information.

 

[Toddrtrex]

It could take up to a month for them to turn for the worse.

What you want to be on the look out for is inflating/deflating (( not the normal getting a bit smaller when the lights are off )), open/gaping mouth, and not attaching.

 

[Hellaenergy]

It could take up to a month for them to turn for the worse.

What you want to be on the look out for is inflating/deflating (( not the normal getting a bit smaller when the lights are off )), open/gaping mouth, and not attaching.

Thanks. How about on the flip side? How do I know they are thriving? Growth? Sticky to the touch? Bright Colors?

 

[WDLV]

the qt crowd annoy the crap out of me and this is why. I have yet to meet a person who entered the reefkeeping hobby that failed because they did not QT and I know a lot of reef keepers. You are getting on your qt soap box at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

At least I know now why you keep attacking my posts. I'll try to remember to avoid you. I hope you'll do me the same courtesy.

If you really must confront me over my views, this forum has a PM feature. Your post will in no way keep me from expressing my views over what I believe to be best practices. Whether other reefers decide to follow my advise or pass on it is their decision. Not yours.


To the OP,
FWIW, I have 9 BTAs in quarrantine ATM. The tank I'm using will eventually be connected to a larger system. It is a bare bottom 45 cube with a HOB skimmer, a HOB power filter, two maxijet 1200s, a 500W titanium heater (what I had laying around) and a 250W 14KK MH in a Lumenarc A3 mini. I realize this is not the same species you are dealing with and that yours are much more sensitive, but I think you have a good thing going and should focus on coloring them up later in your main system.
Best of luck.

 

[COreefer]

Thanks for the reply but that still does not tell me specifically how you determine if they are in fact healthy. So the question still stands.

here is a list off the top of my head

Signs of unhealthy anemone
inflate/deflate
gaping mouth, even a slight gape can been a sign of poor health
bleaching
refusal to attach to anything
expelling zooanxthelle
refusal to eat
lack of adhesive tentacles
limp or lacking any real form

As Todd said though, it can take a month or sometimes even longer before you can know whether it is healthy or not. Just because it may appear bleached does not mean it is unhealthy. Highly dependent upon the conditions it was kept under between collection and when you got it. It could have been kept under no light or low light for a period of time.

 

[COreefer]

Thanks. How about on the flip side? How do I know they are thriving? Growth? Sticky to the touch? Bright Colors?

Yes...tight mouth, deep rich color, turgid form, attached to substrate, settled not moving around.