LTA what should I do?

[nehsmit]

Hey all,

I have a LTA that I got last Thursday (see pic below). He is healthy looking from what I can tell. I first placed him in my tank in an area where I cleared out some LS hoping he would attach either to the glass, back of the tank, or burrow into the sand. None of the above happened and instead he was blown into the back of the tank between some LR.

I pulled him out and tried different things, most recently, yesterday, I buried him in a central area about 4 inches down. He looked good and tentacles were sweeping. I had cut flow down so he could try to attach. This morning he was out of the hole and his tentacles were up against some sharp LR while his base was in teh middle of hte tank.

What should I do? Bury again? Leave alone (will he get hurt from being blown around the tank)? Place him near some LR to see if he attaches to that? PVC trick? Im open to anything but my only concern is NOT TO HURT HIM.

I have a Cardiff (essentially a solana) 24gallon tank. Tested params last night, temp 78, ph 8.2, amm/ite/ates all 0. I have a hydor 750 (off right now for the anemone to attach) and a maxi jet 400 with the stock jaebo 1500 pump (both on right now).

Please help and let me know what you think. I have read other posts on thsi and seems there is always great discussion. Thanks again.

 

[garygb]

The LTA looks bleached. The fact it isn't digging into the sand is a concern. That species likes its base buried in 4 or more inches of sand. Blowing around the tank won't necessarily hurt it, but if it bumps into a coral or something else that stings, that would be a problem. Also, any power head intakes would also likely finish it off. Generally, the best thing to do with a newly added anemone is provide the correct substrate and excellent water conditions and allow the anemone to settle in.

What is your specific gravity? Anemones need full-strength seawater, i.e. 1.026-1.027.

 

[nehsmit]

SG last pm was 1.023. If I raise it up will it hurt the other livestock? I have 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 yasha hashe goby, 1 pistol shrimp, skunk cleaner, and peppermint. The usual snails.

Also, is he just suppose to dig into the sand 4 inches by himself or do I need to clear out an area and let him attach to the glass bottom?

 

[garygb]

I would raise it slowly. You can do this by adding freshly mixed saltwater to replace what's lost to evaporation. Once the sg reaches the target, then obviously return to using fresh water for evaporative replacement (preferably R/O water). And no, full strength seawater is actually the average sg found in reefs. So your other animals likely originated from reefs with water in the 1.026-1.027 range. While on the topic, an accurately calibrated refractometer is the best way to get an accurate reading on your sg; however, a good hydrometer (not a cheap plastic one) is also very accurate. The glass ones that float in the water, preferably the large ones that cost ~$20 are the best.

 

[boilermaker1]

put gloves on, dig a hole all the way to the glass, place it in the hole you dug, then while gently holding it in place refill the sand in around it... as if you're potting a plant. It seems to me that getting their foot to the glass gives it that solid surface it needs to latch onto in order to stay put.

 

[nehsmit]

Thanks for the quick replies:

I do have a refractometer just recently calibrated.

Boilermaker1 - i did this last pm. Dug a nice hole all teh way to glass. placed him in the hole wiht all pumps off so no currents or anything. slowly surrounded with sand and kept going for 15-30 minutes while he adjusted/expanded, etc. turned on only one pump and let tentacles and disc move. filled more sand. let it stay like this for few hours. turned on 2nd pump--maxijet 400 only. This morning, HES OUT OF THE HOLE lying on his side.

Should I do it again? Will this just irritate him more? Will kicking all the sand around release a bunch of nitrates into the circulation?

Again, I just dont want to hurt the coral. Thanks.