Diodogorgia nodulifera questions

[Umbriel]

I recently bought a non-photosynthetic sea fan (diodogorgia nodulifera) and I was wondering if anybody has ever successfully owned one. I do have a couple questions:

-My stalk didn't come attached to a rock; is there any way to keep it standing straight? I tried to place mine in the sand but it keeps falling over for whatever reason. I think I read that epoxy glue works; should I try that?

-Also, I read that they feed at night, and I've been observing it at night when the lights are off but I'm not seeing any polyp extension. I have some phytoplankton but I don't want to place it in the tank if the fan isn't going to feed. Is this something that just eventually happens or am I doing something wrong? I'm looking into getting more flow into my tank with a koralia nano as soon as possible.

Thanks for any help that you can provide me.

 

[Elysia]

Has your gorg opened yet? Sometimes when they need to shed, they don't open for a few days. Good flow will help the gorg shed its outer skin faster.
I have seen non-photosynthetic gorgs with their polyps extended at all times of the day in tanks. I think it is more an issue of when the food that they feed on is present. You could always drip some nitrate rich frozen food water into your tank to see if that stimulates the polyps to emerge, and then try some phyto and zooplankton.
If you glue you gorg, just make sure that you do not cover any of its flesh, as that could cause a problem in the long run. Happy gorgs can re-grow bare areas pretty quickly, but they can lose flesh rapidly as well. They are interesting animals.
I don't know of a lot of people who have had long term success with non-photosynthetic gorgs, despite many seahorse owners trying them. However, seahorses aren't the cleanest of animals, and their tanks can grow hair algae, which is one of the main causes of tissue regression on gorgonians (and having too little flow allows the algae to foul the gorgs, and lower flow is often associated w/ seahorse tanks.)
If you have good flow and a clean system, you will have a much better chance of providing your gorg with a good home. Good luck!

 

[craab]

epoxy glue works fine, just try not to cover too much of the healthy stalk like Elysia said.