New LTA Won't Attach

[BigEZ77]

Hi All,

Just got an LTA today, put it on the sand with some rocks around it and it refuses to dig its foot into the sand to attach. It seems perfectly healthy, closed mouth, good color, etc., but hasn't attached for 3 hours now. I left all pumps off entirely for awhile but was worried about losing oxygen in the water...I've only got my return pumps on now to create surface agitation and minimal flow, but hope to put the Gyre back on before going to bed. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[davocean]

Pics would help, and how long has your tank been running?

 

[BigEZ77]

I'll try to get one shortly. Tank is roughly 1 and a quarter...Have two BTA's doing fine.

 

[davocean]

Lets make sure it is in fact an LTA/doreensis you have there, and make sure you have a decent sand bed for it.

Sometimes these are often shipped and arrive in poor health, bleached, and sometimes a torn foot which may keep them from setting that foot.

I've kept a number of LTA's over the years, I've found a scooped out well next to rockwork, preferably a nook, and really nice is by a ledge so they can pull in or out of light and flow as they seem fit works best for setting and not having them wander.

 

[BigEZ77]

Here's a pic. I brought it straight home from the LFS...it was sitting on their white crate at the bottom of the tank but not attached.

 

[BigEZ77]

Here's a closer one showing the red foot underneath. Doesn't attach even if I dig a hole down to the glass.

 

[davocean]

That spot looks to be more rock than sand, I see a couple better spots farther back I would be inclined to try before that spot, but you may need to move a couple things

 

[BigEZ77]

I put those rocks there to box it in since I would really like to keep it in the middle of the sandbed if possible. It's 2+ inches of sand with those rocks just resting on top. I've heard that once they anchor, LTA's don't tend to move much so I'm trying to keep it in that generally area by putting rocks around it so it can't move too far.

 

[davocean]

I find they like to back up to rockwork more than being exposed like that, and I'm not an LPS ID expert so I'm guessing scoly on left behind it?
That is where I would have put it, and wish you had a little more sand, but that may do.
So hopefully no issues w/ foot, if you try to move it examine that.

 

[BigEZ77]

Too bad, was really hoping to keep it in the middle. I'll give that a try. Thx

 

[davocean]

Post in nem forum too if you want more opinions from other nem guys, but that's probably what they would suggest too.
Nems have been my main focus in my time in this hobby and LTA's were my go to for a long time, I've had a pretty good run on placement of those.
So teach me, is my guess ID correct, scoly right?
I just have not put much focus on LPS for one reason or another, not that I don't want to learn, I just concentrate in certain areas more.
Nems and clowns got me in this hobby, that's my thing kinda.

 

[BigEZ77]

The Scoly's were on the right, the coral in the spot you recommended is actually a Wellsophyllia with a feather duster attached.

Regardless, you know your stuff on nems for sure! Moved that coral, dug a small hole against the rock, put the LTA there and within 10 minutes it attached and opened up...just hope it doesn't kill the acans above, really don't want to move them. I now have my Gyre back on and all is good.

Was hoping to have it in the middle of the sand...ahh well, now I have an excuse to buy a Heliofungia Plate Coral for that spot, lol. Thanks for your help, great advice!

 

[davocean]

Lol, good, I had an idea it was one of the two, it's hard to be an expert or whatever you wanna call it in all fields, so I narrow my focus down.
I'm glad that set.
I think they like their "back" so to speak up against a wall to help that flow blow past but not have them looking like those inflatable roadway balloon people sign thingy's.
Best thing you can do now is just leave it alone, but watch the acans for bleached/burn spots or whithering.

 

[BigEZ77]

Will do, thx again.