My LTA finally sand ridden, new lights on the way

[jacobzking]

I upped my sand from 100lbs to 140lbs this week, I put a lot of it by the anemone. Before the extra sand, the nem was attached to live rock. So I piled up live sand by the feet of the nem and within about 3 days he has shifted completely to the sand. Same part of the tank, just about an inch or two forward so that he's in the sand like he should be.

Per SkullV's advice I upgraded from the 2 36" T5s with 2 21 watt lights, to 2 Nova Extreme 36" with 4 39 watt T5s... so my lightng has quadrupled (lights should be here Friday).

Here's a photo after I pilled the sand up next to him; you can see that he's still attached to the rock, not the sand, but in the video link, you can see that he's clearly in the sand now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO3Z3puXxSE

 

[garygb]

Good to hear you're getting stronger light for it. It will likely become a dark, chestnut brown with the additional light--which is a good thing. Hopefully the base of the column is attached to the glass floor of the aquarium. LTAs like to have their column surrounded by sand and attach the "foot" (pedal disk) to a hard surface.

 

[jacobzking]

not sure where the foot is planted, but my guess would be on the live rock and not the bottom of the aquarium

 

[davocean]

Vid shows clearly in sand as it should be.
Looks good so far, still a touch bleached, but not too bad.
Maybe squirt some mysis around it.

 

[jacobzking]

Vid shows clearly in sand as it should be.
Looks good so far, still a touch bleached, but not too bad.
Maybe squirt some mysis around it.

i've been using a syringe to squirt "marine fusion" on it, which has mysis. i do have mysis as well, do you think I should try and squirt just mysis at it? i just dont want too much waste in my tank.

 

[davocean]

I'm not familiar w/ fusion, but sure it's fine.
I really don't stress spot feeding nems that much, but it does aid in recovery, and small bits are best.
Good light is more important IMO.
My Malu may pick up mysis at feedings, and a piece of scallop maybe once a month or so(When I happen to be eating them myself, cooked for me, raw for nem)
I've done this w/ all my nems, LTA's included.

 

[jacobzking]

MARINE FUSION: Brine Shrimp, Artemia sp., Krill Superba, Krill Pacifica, Mysis shrimp, Squid, Mussels, Seaweed, HUFA Supplement, Potassium ascorbate

I thaw it in a net with water from my tank, drain the water and rewash with fresh water, then use a syringe to feed... supposed to remove phosphates by doing so

 

[SkullV]

Good to hear man. Marine fusion is just fine. The fact that it is smaller pieces will help speed the anemone's digestion. Is the mouth tightly closed? I think with the condition that it is in now (not bad at all) and the new lighting/sand that anemone will be just fine. Just keep up with the water changes being that the tank is new and you need to keep things stable.

Congrats!

 

[jacobzking]

i have the hardest time reading my nitrate tests (API). I cant tell the difference between 5-15ppm. 5ppm and 10ppm look the same to me on the chart. I think I'm a little over 10ppm but way under 20ppm. But every time the LFS tests my water (which is 1-3 times a week, with the same API test) they always write down anywhere from 0 to trace to 5ppm. Anyhow, with 5-10ppm Nitrate you think that's ok? Everything else is perfect. I did order some Nitrate sponge that I'm going to try.

Also, feeding... I currently have a medium sized sailfin tang, 6 damsels (I'd get rid of em but I cant catch the bastards... thinking about putting an angler fish in there to get em, lol) a medium true perc and the LTA. I've been feeding a half cube of that fusion in the morning, and another half at night, so one cube a day. Plus some algae on a clip for the tang. That sound about right as far as food proportions?

Skull... I honestly don't know the difference in its mouth being opened or closed.

 

[bues0022]

It sounds like you've come a long way in understanding not just your tank and inhabitants, but the way to interpret the advice people give on here. Mostly, we all want the best for your tank (though in here biased obviously towards your clowns and nems), and with your recent improvements things are looking up!

Keep it up!

 

[MD Ocean Girl]

+1 with Bues0022

It's awesome what you're doing for the anemone, and your tank as a whole. Not one of us knows everything, which is why asking questions here is great. Your nem already looks happier. Keep it up!!! :thumbsup:

 

[jacobzking]

well, ups.com says my lights are "in transit and on time" for Feb 4th delivery. but the last package update shows the package is in transit from Arizona, and not even in Texas yet, I kinda don't think UPS is coming today lol (it's already after 8pm) and I cant get ahold of a rep which means I guess my nem will have to wait till Monday for better lights. at least it gives him time to acclimate from 2x 21 watt bulbs to 4x 21 watt bulbs before getting hit with 4x 39 watt bulbs.

I also bought a big container of Nitrate Sponge. Anyone here that has actually used that stuff any thing to say about it?

 

[SkullV]

Any luck? Did the lights end up coming? Not too sure about the Nitrate Sponge, never used it.

Also with regards to your previous post about feeding. I would get some Krill and spot feed that nem every couple of days until it's color is fully returned. The feedings along with the new lighting should do really well for it.

 

[jacobzking]

Any luck? Did the lights end up coming? Not too sure about the Nitrate Sponge, never used it.

Also with regards to your previous post about feeding. I would get some Krill and spot feed that nem every couple of days until it's color is fully returned. The feedings along with the new lighting should do really well for it.

still no lights, UPS.com hasn't updated but I'll assume Monday.

 

[SkullV]

Sounds good. I just got my live aquaria shipment in this morning. Fedex is the way to go, I dont know why more companies don't use them.

 

[katarina]

I had a problem with Nitrates. I was using bio balls. I decided to ditch them and all sponges (man made ones) in my filtration sysytem and replace them with live rock. I now have no measurable nitrates. If you are using bioballs it is an idea. Good luck.

 

[SkullV]

I had a problem with Nitrates. I was using bio balls. I decided to ditch them and all sponges (man made ones) in my filtration sysytem and replace them with live rock. I now have no measurable nitrates. If you are using bioballs it is an idea. Good luck.

I wouldn't even mess with anything else right now. If he only has 10ppm or less Nitrates he can deal with it through water changes.

 

[SkullV]

Update?

 

[jacobzking]

when my LFS measures my nitrates they usually mark 0 or trace and I see a yellow result (0ppm), using the API kit (same one I have). but when I test my nitrate levels, I always read a hint of orange (10ppm range). they dont shake the 2nd regimate for a full 30 seconds like the instructions say, and they only shake the combined regimates for a few seconds (instead of a full minute). is that why they are getting a 0 reading all the time and I am showing 10-ish ppm?

I have rubble live rock in my sump for extra filtration, but I put some of the bigger pieces in my tank tonight after removing and replacing all my live rock (removing damn damsels from tank... no way to catch them with 70lbs of live rock in the tank).

as far as the lights, nothin. UPS is all effed up right now because of the weather we had last week. i cant even get an update, last trace was in Arizona last Thursday the 3rd. I figured it woulda come today, but nope. not even an ETA. I really dislike UPS sometimes (actually on hold right now with them, trying to get a human on the line).

good news is that my nem looks GREAT (i think). take a look, much more almond brown now...

 

[SkullV]

Yeah that nem is looking really good! It's going to love the new lighting if it is responding this well to the added light you have on it right now. Just keep up with the water parameters (10ppm nitrate is NOTHING to worry about) through regular bi-weekly water changes and you should be good to go.

You could also consider adding some chaeto and a clamp on light to your sump which will help with nitrates and phosphates.