LTA Water Flow Question

[TomTheWicked]

I've recently upgraded the flow in my 65G (36" x 18" x 24") with a Koralia 750 (was 2x Koralia 450's) and I'm curious to know if it's too much flow or if I should just let it be. I've had the LTA (M. doreensis) since Oct 2012 and it hasn't budged until I added this power head. I can't tell if it's moving to get more flow, or to get away from it. After it moved I noticed the mouth was gaping and it shortly moved back into its original position. It stayed there until I added two additional Koralia 750's. This time it moved on top of a pair of rocks (weird for an LTA?) and seems to have affixed its foot. The mouth, once again, looked like it was gaping a little so I'm thinking it's stressed and I've turned off all of the power heads.

My questions is should I keep all of the power heads on and let it find a new place? Or should I keep the power heads off?

EDIT: Also, today I added a pair of Ocellaris clowns. The little guys look like they're running a marathon with the power heads turned on, is this okay?

 

[TomTheWicked]

Anyone?

It's been a few days and the 'nem still hasn't really picked a new spot. There are spots of high/med/low flow in my tank, so should I just wait it out until he finds one he likes? The mouth doesn't look as gaping as it once did.

Last think I want to do is go home to a 'nem bomb.

 

[Toddrtrex]

First, make sure that those powerhead are covered -- do not want your anemone getting sucked into them.

M. doreensis are not fans of high flow -- I have 2 MP10's on my 75, and can't set them any higher than 60%, otherwise it will move. Heck, even moving one of them a couple of inches can/will make it move.

And yes, being on the rocks isn't normal for an M. doreensis, and indicates that something is off -- most likely too much flow.

Can those be throttled back at all?

 

[Ron Popeil]

i agree, i have never had an LTA appreciate direct or even indirect flow. mine always moves into a corner into an area of lowest water movement.

 

[TomTheWicked]

And yes, being on the rocks isn't normal for an M. doreensis, and indicates that something is off -- most likely too much flow.

He was just on the rock for a moment, then he moved off.

Can those be throttled back at all?

Unfortunately their an on/off only head. Two of them are on a wavemaker so their not running full-time.

mine always moves into a corner into an area of lowest water movement.

That's what it seems like this one has done. He's in the corner with little-to-no water flow. That's okay with me for now, but I'm not sure how this is going to work once I start placing corals

So, if I end up having to remove it and rehome, what's the best way to get his foot loosened up? I think what I may try is direct a powerhead close to him and wait for him to release, then nab him. Thoughts?

 

[Toddrtrex]

.....
So, if I end up having to remove it and rehome, what's the best way to get his foot loosened up? I think what I may try is direct a powerhead close to him and wait for him to release, then nab him. Thoughts?

The few times I have had to do this...

I just remove the sand from around the anemone, and GENTLY use my figure to get the foot to release. I don't like using powerheads, seems to take too long.

If it doesn't start to release quickly, suggest taking a break and try again --- don't want to damage the foot.

 

[TomTheWicked]

Just curious. Do you wear gloves while you're near the 'nem?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Just curious. Do you wear gloves while you're near the 'nem?

I should, however I only wear them when I know I will be coming into contact with my S. haddoni -- sticks like velcro otherwise, and my skin doesn't react well to the stings. With my other 2 species of anemones I don't -- though I should.

Should note, if you plan on wearing a glove when/if you have remove yours, remember that you won't be able to feel as much, so take greater care not to damage the foot.

 

[TomTheWicked]

I usually wear gloves when I know I'll be around the 'nem, but I briefly thought about leaving it off if I were to remove it. Never been stung yet, and I'm not sure I care to find out how well it feels. I'll make sure to be careful though.

The problem I think I'm going to have is that some of the foot is attached to a tiny portion of some rock nearby and it's kind of awkward to get to it...

 

[Rutrag]

Mine seems to have settled in an area of low flow. My tank is a 75 and I have a Korallia 1400 on the right and a 1050 on the left with MJ600 on the back. (All of them are always on.) Returns are a Rio 2500 and an Aqueon 3000. I have the Korallias pointed so that the one on the left is aimed toward the back and up, while the one on the righ is aimed toward the front and up. The rock is set up so there is almost as much space behind the rock as there is in front. In my mind this creates a circular flow pattern around the island of rock. Until a couple of months ago, the LTA was at the rear of the tank at the bottom, kind of behind where the chalice and Midas blenny are in the pic. You can see where he decided to go. I had to recently move the favites coral because the nem was opening so big.