Covering power heads question

[JackiB]

I am recieving my new lta today, it is about 6-8 inches. Since it is so big do i need to worry about it getting into my power heads and cover them or should it be fine? I have a k2 and k3 on opposite sides of the tank. Thank you!

 

[Cheebs]

I'd say it's safe practice to cover them for the first few days at least until it gets nice and settle.

 

[JackiB]

Thanks! I just did a search and saw where someone used some craft mesh to cover their koralias. So definitely going to stop by michaels on the way home.

 

[davocean]

How big is the tank and how far away are the PH's?
LTA is a sand dwellar. so usually not tough to keep them away as long as there is enough room after they have settled, but yeah, good idea to cover all intakes.
Right now that is small to medium size, expect it to reach about 18"

 

[celamb89]

My LTA managed to get to my PH in my 23"deep DT... after 7 months in the tank, an emergency left the tank unattended for 5 days and on the 5th day when returning to the house it made the "move"

 

[davocean]

My LTA managed to get to my PH in my 23"deep DT... after 7 months in the tank, an emergency left the tank unattended for 5 days and on the 5th day when returning to the house it made the "move"

If your LTA moved after 7 months, it was needing something, more or less light/flow, or something.
Typically in an established tank w/ good params, lighting, and proper flow an LTA will find it's happy place and settle there.

 

[JackiB]

It is a typical 4ft 75 gallon. The PHs are at the top of the tank. I went ahead and covered them with needlepoint mesh while the nem was getting settled. It is still inflating it's foot and trying to get settled. My saddlebacks are just staring at it like are just waiting to move in.

 

[davocean]

Good to be safe.
As long as params are good, and flow/light are to that nems liking I'm sure it will be fine.
Post pics.

 

[JackiB]

Will do as soon as it gets settled. It is pretty bleached I think, it is a minty neon green instead of a good solid green. Looks much better this morning mouth is closed up finally. Going to turn the PHs back on this am.

 

[Korrine]

I was reading that sometimes if they are bleached and having issues digesting food you may need to feed them defrosted marine food. Whatever you have in small pieces, like mysis.

 

[davocean]

Yeah, mysis is a good food to start and help bring back to health, small food is best, but really light is their main source of energy.
I wouldn't even worry about spot feeding at this time, give it a week or so, let it settle.
Don't turn pumps off if foot is set, it will need to find a spot where it is happy w/ the flow, so if pumps are off, there is a good chance it will move when you turn them back on.

 

[JackiB]

When I turned the PHs back on this morning it dug its foot into the sand in the spot that I set up for it and my saddlebacks just found it about 5 minutes ago so life is again peaceful in the tank. Thanks for the info, i will wait to give it anything more than what it catches in the water column for a week or so. I feed PE mysis, frozen formula one and a few nes pellets and weekly they get finely chopped leftovers from the predator tank. I know my frogspawn is happy that they moved out:celeb1:

 

[Korrine]

yay!

Now we can get some pictures

 

[JackiB]

Ok lets see how these turn out... The second is a better representation of the color... As I said very bleached. I can't wait to see what color it actually becomes.

 

[Korrine]

cool!! I love anemones

Thanks for posting a pic!

 

[JackiB]

I will post a better pic when it is healthier. Mrs. Grumpy Gills is sleeping in it was we speak.

 

[JackiB]

LTA Recovery

LTA Recovery

OK so it has been a little over a month since I got my very bleached LTA. It seems to be recovering very nicely. It's color is coming back slowly. But it open size had at least doubled since first putting it in. Here is a new pic.