New bleached lta

[bjledbetter]

I was at petco today to get some supplies and come across a bleached lta in one of the tanks. I talked to the manager and asked for a discount. Original price $28 +tax I payed $20 total. Foot looks to be completely intact and mouth was tightly closed and foot was buried in sand. Tentacle length of about 1 1/2" to 2" and nem still has a green tint to it. I currently have a mag and 2 bta's in my 90 dt. I plan on getting this guy back to health and then selling for other corals. Here is where I need your help, I've never been able to keep a lta, I've had 3 but none of them were remotely healthy when I got them(tore foot, open mouths, etc). I'm assuming care would be daily feedings till it regains its color and maintain water parameters? And start out in lower lighting? Sand bed is about 4", lights are MH and led. Parameters: sg 1.025 nitrates/pho- don't test(when things look off I run gfo). Alk. 9.5 Mag 1350 Ca 400


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[worm5406]

Let it acclimate first. This may take it a week or so.

Keep an eye on it. I would have a QT ready just for it in case it needs some specalized care/flow/isolation.

It should deflate a few times then start to perk up.

Give it the full week to feed it. Let the light get on it and build back up it's strength.

 

[bjledbetter]

Let it acclimate first. This may take it a week or so.

Keep an eye on it. I would have a QT ready just for it in case it needs some specalized care/flow/isolation.

It should deflate a few times then start to perk up.

Give it the full week to feed it. Let the light get on it and build back up it's strength.

qt stays running but light isnt the best so hopefully i can avoid it but it and the cipro are ready to use. I placed it in a lower light area that still gets enough light if that makes sense and its moving all over in the sand. I'm just going to moniter it for now and see if it settles. How long does it usually take for them to bury their foot?

 

[worm5406]

Hard to say sometimes.

Many variables. A healthy and active one will normally attach within minutes.

Sometimes they need something steady and comfortable to begin to attach. Like a low spot with flow near but not direct.

Placing it in a QT with some sand/rock sometimes helps.

If it wants to attach through the sand to the bottom there are a few ways to help it.

Sand in a bowl will trick it to think it is in the right spot. Some people have placed the bowl and all in their own tank.

 

[bjledbetter]

It's in a low flow, lower lit area. Not sure there is a need for a screen in less it moves as its already shaded pretty good. Ok so new question is this normal? I come home tonight and looked to check on it with a flashlight and found it balled up with no tentacles showing at all, and foot looks to be planting into the sand which I know is a good sign. I know very little about this species as I have never been able to keep one more than 2 or 3 days because they have all been sick or had a torn foot when I received it. And it's the first one to ever make it into my dt because I think its health all but being bleached. I think I'm just a little paranoid because of the others. Here is a pic to show it balled up. It started to open when I turned on the light to get a pic.