Questions about H. Malu

[MidMichiganReef]

So the stars aligned where I got a random Friday off and LA had a H. Malu in stock so I ordered it. I've never seen a Malu in Michigan so I don't have reef friends to talk it over with so I'm looking for advice. I have successfully kept BTAs and LTAs so I do know basic anemone care. I have been researching Malus for a few months.

I plan to float the bag in my sump while I drip acclimate slowly to match salinity. Does this sound good?

I am going to dig a small hole in the sand right in front of a rock and hope it digs in. My understanding is that they like high light and this will be right in the center directly under the LED. It will get decent flow there but shouldn't get anything too strong. Does this sound appropriate? Should I turn my lights down for the first day?

I plan to have my MP10 off for the first few hours and if all is well turn it to my slow (10%) mode. I do have cipro on hand in cae something comes up.

Anyone have any tips or tricks or input as too my plan. I'll post pics as I go.

 

[OrionN]

I think that sounds OK. FWIW, I got a Malu from LA and her was fine. I get a smooth, preferred a smooth concave, small rock and put it on his foot. If healthy, he will attach to the rock, then dig down into the sand.
This Malu of mine have been in my tank for at least 8 years. I know I am biased but Malu is the very best anemone for a small reef.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Are you suggesting putting a small piece of rubble rock on his foot then sitting him in the sand hole?

 

[OrionN]

Yes. Put the rock on the column so the Malu stay put. I often do this with all my anemones

 

[MidMichiganReef]

One thing I forgot to ask: I keep my tank temp between 78.5-79 tightly controlled with an Apex. I've read some articles that say to keep a Malu at 80-83. Should I up my temp over the next week or so?

I'm sps dominant so I don't want to go too high

 

[OrionN]

I keep my mostly SPS tank at about 82 degree F. I can get as high as 84 and have no problem with bleaching or dying SPS

 

[MidMichiganReef]

It is in the tank. Acclimation went well, the temperature held and the drip went smooth. He had attached to the bottom of my acclimation box so I had to gently lift him out. He was nice and sticky.

I have my mp10 off and my lights off with my return on. Should I run any light today? I usually do my LEDs at white 30% blue 100% which doesn't seem like much white but trust me its powerful. I was thinking about kicking them on in a few hours and running white 10% blue 50%. Any thoughts?

Anything else I should be doing or looking for?

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Here's on arrival:

Here's right after it went in the tank:

 

[Pastey]

A camera to take a picture!

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Lol. Beat you to the punch.

 

[OrionN]

I usually don't turn down my light when I put new animal in the tank. LA keep these animal under brightlight so I don not think you need to turn your light down

 

[MidMichiganReef]

4 hours since it got here. Mouth appears closes and it looks healthy to me. It seems to like where I've put it. Lights are ramping up now so we will see.



I was going to wait at least a week to feed it some mysis. Does that sound right?

 

[MidMichiganReef]

A little bit deflated today. It looked good this morning before the lights and is smaller now. Hopefully it's just settling in. It's only move an inch or two from where I put it.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Not going well. He traveled to the back corner of the tank this morning and doesn't appear to be inflated well. He also appears to be attached to the rocks. I thought he'd want to bury his foot in the sand. Here's a pic from a minute ago. Lights don't come on for a few hours.

 

[OrionN]

Consider take him out and treat him with antibiotic

 

[MidMichiganReef]

My biggest question with a qt tank would be a light. Can I just get a clip on light and if so what bulb should I put in it? I don't have a spare t5, led, or mh.

 

[OrionN]

Just one of the screw on PC blub would be fine. The earlier the better in term of treatment

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Thanks. I will treat him as soon as I can. The problem is I don't think I can get him out unless he detaches from the rock. He's underneath in the back corner where I can't get to him. You can see him here and a little of the mouth

 

[MidMichiganReef]

 

[OrionN]

He looks OK if that is the worst that he looks. If he does not deflates I would just leave him be and let him adjust. I would treat him if he deflates.