Flow for a Mini Carpet

[Cliff519]

I've been thinking about getting a mini carpet (Stichodactlya tapetum) as I find these guys very interesting.

The only spot that I have in my tank were I could put one of these guys has what I would call moderate flow. It's in the center of my 90 tank on the rocks at the bottom of the tank. Basically, what is there is the indirect flow made by my power heads that are at each front corner of the tank and point towards each other. They are 1100 gph powerheads.

After reading a few articles about them, the only thing I'm still not 100% on is how much flow they like. Most information that I have found states "good" flow. What the heck is "good" flow ?

How much flow do these guys like ?

 

[bradleym]

They don't like getting their edges blown over. If you have any leathers with long extended polyps (toadstool or devil's hand) or thin wavy branches (sinularia, kenya tree, colt coral), try setting one of those there. If it can't open up properly or is constantly blown about, you will likely have issues with a maxi mini carpet in that spot.

 

[Cliff519]

Thanks bradleym

I'll give that a try

 

[sqwat]

watch out they are still nems and go were they like to go its better to have them attach to a rock then add that rock.you put them in with out one they will cruise the tank to find a spot unless you put them were they want.i have seen some stretch to the bottom of a 4 inch dsb and connect.add the a couple large rocks in youre acclimation bucket wile you acclimate them put the nems on the rocks and they will stick to them then after acclimation add rocks back this has worked for me.i still had a little guy that loved to walk finnaly stoped with minamal damage along his path they are sticky but seem not to sting much if at all on the move.

 

[Cliff519]

Yes, that's a good point sqwat. I will add the rock to the acclimation bucket and then move the rock and all into the tank.

I was planning the setting out a large flat rock in the spot I was thinking about and place him there. There add a few smaller rocks around were I set him to help limit his potential moving. From what I've read, others have had pretty good success introducing mini carpets into there set-up that way. But adding the rock to the bucket will help with that and make it easier for me to put him in the tank.

But he still is a anemone and will move if his wants to no matter what do.

But this is all depending on the flow in that spot. I need to double check and make sure it is not too strong of flow.

Thanks for the suggestion sqwat, I'm going to use it

 

[Blitzburggirl]

I have 5 maxi minis... 3 of them have been in my tank almost a year... First week of Dec will make a year. They literally get all fluttered in the flow from two vortechs. 2 haven't moved from the spot that I put them in. One of them moved a few inches into even more flow.

I have added 2 more to the other side of my tank (rediculously low flow) and they seem happy too.

Here are the 3 in high flow... At one point, all three were on the same rock, but the one in the background, moved off the island rock, to the rock face. I really think they got too big. Anyway, they started off at about .50 size, now they are all over 5", and the maroon one gets to about 7-8" once the lights have been on for a bit.

 

[sqwat]

i think if its good lighting they stay put no matter the current.no direct current though.love youre maxi's bro they are the coolest thing to happen for nano tanks,so easy and cool.get some sexies they love em to.

 

[Blitzburggirl]

Hahahha I'm a girl

But, I do agree.. they are the one and only appropriate nem for nano... and they are sooooo awesome.

Unfortunately, my masuda hogfish would be WAY to happy to chow on some sexy shrimp LMAO even if they stayed in the nems.

 

[m758b033]

I've had the best luck keeping mine in low flow below the powerhead jet stream

 

[jumpman420]

I have mine in decent flow. 2 ran away to the back tho.....