Magnifica coming in Friday. Need Advice

[greenesgreen]

Like i said in the title, i ordered a med size Ritteri and it should be in Fri. It will be hosting a pair of false percs. I've done lots of research on this animal but theres nothing like the advice from someone with first hand experience. Any advice on what foods get best results, initial placement under lighting, how much flow they are comfortable in. Thanks in advance.

 

[garygb]

I've had 4 for years, so I'll tell you what I do. I'd keep the temp around 80-82F, specific gravity near 1.026-1.027, you didn't mention your lighting, but mine are under MH HQI 150 watt 10,000K, just over a foot from the bulb. I feed several times a week with chunks of squid, shrimp, silversides, mysis, occasionally krill. You didn't mention your lighting, but if it is MH you will want to acclimate the anemones up to bright light after having been in lower light for shipping and possibly for holding prior to shipping. I would want to know exactly what type of lighting the anemone was kept in and for how long prior to shipping.

 

[greenesgreen]

i'm running a duel 175 10K MH setup w/ actinic vhos about 6-7 inches from the surface. I am thinking about switching to 20K bulbs for the color, but havent made up my mind just yet. I'll be sure to get info about the type of lighting it was keep in. I am currently keeping my SG around 1.024-1.025 and my temp stays between 80-82 in the day but at night dips to as low as 77 sometimes. Do you think the temp swing would cause a problem? I will start slowly raising my SG to match yours, heck, your nem has been thriving for 4 yrs, i need to do what your doing. Thanks for the info

 

[garygb]

I should have said I've had four for years. Actually, the original one just past 7 years. It divided 4 years ago. Anyway, I think your setup sounds good, I wouldn't go with 20K myself. In fact, 10-14 K would be preferable. The actinic is basically useless for a shallow water animal like H. magnifica, but if you like it aesthetically, then achieve that with your vhos. Yes, I would bump up the sg to at least 1.026. Lots of H. mags are found in the Red Sea where the sg averages 1.028. As far as the temp swings, I really don't know if that would be detrimental or not. I suggest getting a controller, such as Ranco brand, to prevent temp swings.

 

[TRBOFISH]

I've been interested in getting a Magnifica. How much should i expect to spend for a individual. I saw earlier in the thread that they like to be higher up on the reef but what type of current to they prefer?

 

[garygb]

Also, H. `mags like to perch atop a large flat piece of live rock directly under the light and where it gets good water flow.

You've no doubt read how difficult this species is to keep. I believe that has to do with this species intolerance to the collection, shipping, handling methods. Once established, the species is quite hardy in my opinion. I believe full strength sg of natural seawater is needed ( ~1.027). This species has a huge range of the tropical Indopacific. Water temps in their range can go as low as the 60s or as high as the upper 80s. However, the average temp range for coral reefs is 82F, so I would shoot for 80-82.

Your clowns will probably immediately go to your anemone. It doesn't make a bit of difference if they are tank bred or wild caught as far as their natural affinity to gravitate to H. mag. Ocellaris, as you have, are natural symbionts with H. magnifica and will probably never venture far from it. I have a pair of ocellaris that spawn every few weeks at the base of their host. Literally a little scene that plays out every day in the tropical coral reefs of the Indo-pacific. Hope you get to witness that at some point.

 

[garygb]

Turbo, I would expect to spend from $40 to $70 myself. Larger specimens and bright colors might command a bit more. As far as current, I have a Koralia 3 that is dirrected across the top of the tentacles. I've got one that gets what I would call moderate flow, i.e., its tentacles move some, but are not waving in the current like the one in the direction of the Koralia. They definitely like good flow, but don't need the extent of flow folks describe S. gigantea seems to prefer.

 

[TRBOFISH]

Turbo, I would expect to spend from $40 to $70 myself. Larger specimens and bright colors might command a bit more. As far as current, I have a Koralia 3 that is dirrected across the top of the tentacles. I've got one that gets what I would call moderate flow, i.e., its tentacles move some, but are not waving in the current like the one in the direction of the Koralia. They definitely like good flow, but don't need the extent of flow folks describe S. gigantea seems to prefer.

Thanks for the info! I can't wait till my tank gets cycled!:dance:

 

[greenesgreen]

thanks for the tip on the 20K bulbs. Maybe, i'll just get some new 10K's since mine are a little old, and probably some new vho actinics for color. I'm running (2) K2's and a maxi 900 along with about 500gph from my return. Does it matter whether the flow is constant or random? I have a wavemaker i could hook up to the powerheads if that would be better. I did a small water change last night to start the slow rise of sg. I'm picking up a bigger heater also to help keep the temps right, i dont see a real problem being able to keep it around the temp you suggested with the equip i have + a heater. If it does become a problem though, i guess i'll be shopping for a controller. I really appreciate your help garygb, i'll post some picks up when i get her in the tank.

 

[garygb]

Yeah, would love to see it. As far as the flow being random vs. steady, random is always nice, but in one tank I don't have a wavemaker and it's not an issue. There are 4different pumps circulating water, so the flow is random somewhat just because one current hits another and breaks things up a bit.

 

[ocello]

I think the most important thing is to get a healthy specimen in a WELL esatblish tank with very stable water params, give it high ligh, and strong flow. I would also suggest placing it on a rock Island. It it has all of the above it should stay put and live for decades.

 

[garygb]

Trbo, you don't want to add H. magnifica to a tank until it has been up and running with stable conditions for at least 6 months. You would want the nitrate to be undetectable when adding a new H. mag. Although established anemones are rather hardy, new ones are anything but.

 

[Perc25]

garygb, I have a 150 MH about 3.5 inches off the water, do you think roughly centering the H. magnifica under the lamp would be the "ideal" placement in the tank for the nem? I have some window screening to use when acclimating H. magnifica to the light, also about what depth in your opinions would be best?

 

[Slickcg33]

soo its friday... where are the pics...

 

[garygb]

Yes Perc, I would say placing the anemone directly under the lamp would be ideal. I would probably want the top of the anemone to be within a foot or so of the water's surface.

 

[greenesgreen]

Well, things didnt go exactly as i had expected. The LFS that was getting the Mag for me said that their supplier would not ship because the mags they had were having trouble acclimating to there tanks and didnt want to risk it. The LFS did, however, have a very large haddoni (12"-14") in stock and offered me that and a occ clown for a great price. I couldnt pass up the deal and got the haddoni. I'll take some pics and post them soon. I got the nem sat night, my clowns jumped in the instant it hit bottom. I fed it a silverside last night and the thing looks great.

 

[Pinkskunk]

great to hear on your carpet - i wish you continued success with it. Carpets are nice to have but be carefull about your fishes as they just ate my PBT. but it's still worth the risk, IMHO

 

[garygb]

Sorry the mags didn't happen for you, but sounds like you got a great deal anyway. S. haddoni are hardier anemones and will get large and beautiful. I look forward to the pics. As far as conditions they like, I would ditto the H. mag requirements for sg and temp. As far as water flow, I don't think they require as much movement as H. mag. Best of luck with your new anemone.