how to keep a gigantea well?

[M Woodhill]

hi, guys

think there are lots of experienced and warm-hearted aquarists that are always ready to help

so big big thanks in advance

learning from the disaster of RBTA, ive decided to take time and wait few months for my coming gigantea. yet its my first time to raise a gigantea---though i really had BTA and haddoni before and most of the stories ended happily----so i would very much like to learn more about the species and how to raise it happily in a tank

the gigantea ive booked is fairly small for my tank rather small about 77gallons. the basic info comes as follows

tank size 77 gallon, 2'7*2*2

lighting XM 250w 10000k 8hrs+actinic 15w*4 10hrs+moonlight 14 hrs

wave mp40 + a cheap powerhead blowing at the bottom of LRs

animals in: 3 sps
2 lps
1 clams
1 feather duster
1 sifting starfish
1 pair of a. ocellaris

water parameters: salinily=1.025
ph=8
kh=10
no2=0
no3=0.2
po4=0
ca=400
mg=1200

temperature ranges from 80f to 83f

again thanks

 

[greech]

I have yet to care for a nem myself but have been taking my time as well researching hadonni as they (as I have read) a bit easier than gigs. I hope to have mine this weekend or early next week.

Since you have had nems in the past, I'm sure you understand the importance of obtaining a healthy specimen from the start. This seems to be increasingly important when it comes to giganteas and other carpets. It is also my understanding that gigs live in shallow areas and like a lot of light and flow as a result. To me this also would indicate that they tend to catch a fair amount of scraps to munch on so small portions of food would probably be best and I have read that smaller portions are better for nems as a whole for digestion and preventing the large portions from rotting in the nem.

The one thing I have read that conflicts is where a gigs foot likes to set. Most suggest gigs will want to be higher up on the rocks but I have also read that they prefer to be in the sand but that the sand cover a pile of small rocks with a few rocks on the sand nearby.

Of course you will need to keep an eye on its initial movements and be prepared to act having corals in the tank.

I hope this helps some. There are some very experienced folks here that will certainly be able to help more. Good luck!

 

[t4zalews]

^ yup..that's about it. I've read all the stories of how hard gig's were to keep. I was able to get a very healthy specimen and have had zero problems with mine. Mine likes to attach its foot on the rocks and hopefully will stay low in the tank. I've yet to have him start his climb upwards, its usually side to side. but not that much moving.

 

[M Woodhill]

thank u, very helpful

and any more suggestions?

 

[JasonD]

I would also add to cover your powerhead intakes so The Anemone can't get sucked up into them. Powerheads are probably one of the number one things that hurts Anemones in the tank.

Jason

 

[Costa reefing]

Gigs need pristine water so be sure to keep up with your water changes, they also like high flow so i would add another pump in the tank about midway up the tank. When you add it to the tank turn off all powerheads and dig a hole in the sand so the the gig can firmly attach its foot to the bottom of your tank, give it about half an hour to 45min to settle down. Once you seen it has attahed its foot turn your powerheads on let the gig do its thing. It might move around a little but usually stay near the bottom of the tank as it likes having its foot burried. No need to cover your powerheads, gigs are not known to move up glass like that.


Haddonis are MUCH easier, you can slack on water changes more and they like a moderate flow.

 

[Costa reefing]

I would also add to cover your powerhead intakes so The Anemone can't get sucked up into them. Powerheads are probably one of the number one things that hurts Anemones in the tank.

Jason

For bubble tips, yes, they move around a lot while they settle in. carpet nems, no, i have yet to hear a case where a gig/haddoni moved up the glass and got sucked in.

 

[M Woodhill]

one more question:

is it very likely or just a little that my ocellaris will be hosted by my gig? seemingly my clowns r never willin to swimmin even near the middle of my tank.

how can i let'em know theres a friend of theirs coming?

 

[elegance coral]

My gig doesn't want anything to do with sand. My haddoni is a different story. My gig is at the very top of the rocks, directly under a 250W MH. All of the gig keepers I know of have them on the rocks and not in sand.

 

[elegance coral]

one more question:

is it very likely or just a little that my ocellaris will be hosted by my gig? seemingly my clowns r never willin to swimmin even near the middle of my tank.

how can i let'em know theres a friend of theirs coming?

The ocellaris will be in a gigantea before the sun comes up the next day. You don't need to do anything but put it in the tank.

 

[Costa reefing]

funny, in my experience they like to stay near the bottom where the rock meets sand. I guess anything goes in this hobby! either way if its not happy where its placed it will move until it finds it's sweet spot

 

[M Woodhill]

thanks

thanks

The ocellaris will be in a gigantea before the sun comes up the next day. You don't need to do anything but put it in the tank.

i think the problem is that mines tank-bred pair so im afraid they have no sense of nem

 

[elegance coral]

i think the problem is that mines tank-bred pair so im afraid they have no sense of nem

Trust me. They will move into the gigantea. You don't have to worry about that. I'd be more concerned about obtaining a healthy anemone and insuring the tank is ready for one. These anemones ship very poorly. Trying to find one in good shape can be challenging. I wish you luck, because these are awesome critters when healthy.:thumbsup:

 

[chasedasea]

i think the problem is that mines tank-bred pair so im afraid they have no sense of nem

Hi, I bought a gig a few weeks ago and my Maroon Clown began hosting it yesterday. I think it is better for the gig to be able to settle in for a while so no worries if the clowns don't jump right in.