Tank checklist to house an S. gigantea

[hobbby3]

I have a mated pair of tank raised ocellaris clowns, and would love to give them a nice home to play in from their natural habitat. They have no interest in the GBTA or LTA curretnly in my system. I will be finding new homes for the GBTA and LTA if I get a S. Gig.

I've been reading about S. Gigantea care and would like to have everyone here look over my system to be sure I haven't missed something before I make a purchase.

My tank has been running for 1 year, and has been very stable over the last 3 months. I've been supporting a variety of SPS and other coral mostly small frags that have been developing into nice small colonies now.

System details

• 90 gal DT, 30 gal sump/fuge
• 2 175W MH's could switch to 250W next bulb purchase is soon
• 2 48inch VHO
• I cleared an 18x12 inch spot under one of the MH
• 2 1600 gph power heads one at either end alternating flow meaning sometimes they are both on sometimes they alternate
• I'm using 8 tsp of Kalk per 5 gallons in my ATO to maintain stability and water test weekly. Once the tank needs more I have designs for a 2 part dosing system in mind.

Water details

• IO Reef Cry & 0 TDS RO/DI
• SG 1.025
• Alk 7.7
• Calc 450
• Mag 1400
• Phos .05
• Nitrate 1

 

[God.]

IMO thats fine. 90 gal is a tall tank so it might crawl up For more light.

As always its important to find a healthy specimen to begin with.

I would also have some cipro on hand.

 

[xtlosx]

IMO thats fine. 90 gal is a tall tank so it might crawl up For more light.

As always its important to find a healthy specimen to begin with.

I would also have some cipro on hand.

+1 to that. Be prepared to look hard to find a Gig in general, and be prepared to treat should the Gig need treatment... Once you get them and work hard to keep them alive, they are amazing animals.

 

[hobbby3]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I definately wan't to go into it prepared. I still need to read through the Cipro sticky.

I have my LFS checking out his sources for a blue gig hopefully he finds a gem

 

[worm5406]

Yeah get the cipro before you order it.

Also make sure you have your QT ready and cycled. As you have prob seen on some of the threads to get some egg crate and section the tank with the power head and heater on one side the anemone on the other.

You will have a good fight on your hands but hopefully you will not have to fight too hard.

 

[hobbby3]

Just read the cipro thread. It says I should supply light while in QT. My QT only has a 6k fluorescent single bulb. Should I upgrade to a two bulb HO T5?

 

[xtlosx]

Just read the cipro thread. It says I should supply light while in QT. My QT only has a 6k fluorescent single bulb. Should I upgrade to a two bulb HO T5?

Yes, it's difficult to over light a Gigantea, but I gave mine too much light in QT originally.. I took away one 135W LED fixture and he opened up much more than originally when there were two on him..

Certainly some high ouput T5, MH, or LED is in order for a Gig in QT.

 

[OrionN]

I think you got all the hardware for it. Good luck

 

[hobbby3]

Plan is to get cipro and a new T5 HO light before making an anemone purchase.

Just to be clear I don't use the cipro unless I see stress, IE gaping mouth and deflation? Also if the nem looks good I drip and put him in the DT right away or QT just in case? If QT for how long as a rule?

 

[worm5406]

QT... QT... QT... Minh(OrionN) has a thread in this section and he talks about what happened when he did not QT.

Not really for ich, but more for other items that might be wrong.

 

[hobbby3]

QT... QT... QT... Minh(OrionN) has a thread in this section and he talks about what happened when he did not QT.

Not really for ich, but more for other items that might be wrong.

Oh good I'm glad I asked. I also read since I made the post above 4-5 days in QT without deflating or mouth gaping is good enough is that correct?

 

[xtlosx]

Oh good I'm glad I asked. I also read since I made the post above 4-5 days in QT without deflating or mouth gaping is good enough is that correct?

Yes, you are looking for several days of consistent behavior, no gaping mouth, and more importantly even the deflation... If for several days the Gig looks good, holds itself up, and stays consistent then you can reasonably guess it's healthy enough to go into the DT.

QT is even more important if you have other gigs in your DT so as to not spread a disease to the others. If this is your first gig, I would just put it into the DT.

 

[hobbby3]

The QT is setup cycled and at temp. The Cipro and T5 are ordered and on the way. My LFS has a Bali shipment comming in end of the week. They said a blue gig might be in the order. I'll use this thread to document everything. Thank you for everyone's input I'm excited.

Here's a full tank shot. The rock in the middle will be where I'll start out the gig. I'll just have to move the coral frags off of it. If it comes in on its own rock I'll probably just place it ontop of the center rock.

Under that center rock is also the Tiger Watchman Goby's cave hopefully he's ok with sharing.

 

[xtlosx]

Whatever you do make sure it's 100% a Gig before you take it home....

 

[hobbby3]

and not sliced up...I've never seen one in person but lots of reading here.

What are some sure bet things to look for?

 

[xtlosx]

and not sliced up...I've never seen one in person but lots of reading here.

What are some sure bet things to look for?

Blue\Purple Verracue on the underside of the pedal and the column area. My purple gig has very very visible from a mile away verracue, and the color is bright. My green gig had me worried for a long time that he might be a haddoni because the foot and column weren't blue and the verracue came and went... I still can't see verracue 3 weeks into my DT, but he is certainly a gig without a question..

You want to see shaggy tentacles, but most in transport do not have those anymore, but will regrow them after 2-3 months. I guess I've seen enough of both that it just becomes an instinct. Haddonis are sand anemones, and gigs are generally happier in the rock work. Check to see it is responsive to the touch of something, maybe it eats, and observe its movement in current. It should be able to hold itself up and lastly, the mouth shouldn't be inside out with its guts hanging out.

Take some pictures and post them up here if anything... Good luck. What color are you looking for?

 

[hobbby3]

Sounds good thanks for the reply.

Blue, but to be honest if a gig of any color comes in but brown I'll buy it lol

 

[xtlosx]

Sounds good thanks for the reply.

Blue, but to be honest if a gig of any color comes in but brown I'll buy it lol

Yea, they will color up.. Our purple is starting to look a lot more like the ones I have seen on RC... patience, and proper nutrition!