Uh Oh! On the Move.

[ca1ore]

After being happy to sit on top of its rock, my Magnifica is starting to move around a bit more. This morning it was about one third of the way down the rock. I've posted a bunch of little signs (reef-safe, of course) saying 'Go Back', 'Turn Around Now', etc. - but they don't seem to be working . Seriously though, any suggestions as to how to discourage 'walkabout'?

 

[roni]

The trick I've had success with is to get a flat rock for the base and make sure it's the highest point that the ritteri has access to (i.e. it doesn't have to be the tallest part of the rock structure but the ritteri shouldn't be able to touch anything else on any side). Assuming the flow and light are good, I've had decent success with getting them to stay put. Once they are in a place where I want them, I tend to target feed a little to make sure they realize that the place they are in is a good one. It's worked well for every ritteri I've tried it with (4/4)


Gigs, on the other hand, haven't been as easy.

 

[worm5406]

Can you show/take some pictures of where it is and what is around it.

+1 to roni's notes.

Mine sits on a flat rock with nothing in it's arms reach.

How is your flow?
What about your lights?

 

[ca1ore]

Well, the rock is not ideal - not smooth and slightly inclined - but I figured I'd do more damage trying to replace the rock. Flow (MP40/MP10) is good as is lighting (LED/14K MH). I've been having some reduced PE in a few of may SPS corals, so perhaps there is some strange water chemistry thing going on - tho my water quality parameters are good, other than a slightly low pH at 7.9

 

[worm5406]

Yeah you might want to do a full check with mag and everything. Just to see.

 

[D-Nak]

I've heard that nems like gigs and mags like the pH to be up around 8.3, so I've kept my tank close to that number. Also, to reiterate what others have mentioned, make sure that none of the tentacles are in contact with the tank walls. I think mags can sense the wall, and want to walk up it. If they can't physically reach it, they'll start to wander "thinking" that they can go higher.

Unlike like other rock dwelling nems, mags don't like to hide their foot. They like flat rocks so that they can spread their foot on it. IME, the flatter the better.

 

[ca1ore]

I'm not quite certain why my pH is a bit low. I run a pH monitor, but have also checked with a test kit and have confirmed it is around 7.9. Alkalinity is fine, perhaps even a tad high at 12 dKh, so the problem must be that my calcium reactor is spitting out too much CO2. Will play around with it.

I think my issue may be that the Mag is just getting too big for its spot and is looking for something with a bigger area for its foot. I've stopped target feeding it, but in my 90 gal I think things are getting a bit tight. May have to find a new home for it

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

That's what my mag did,I think it out grew the spot it was in.It can almost touch the front and back glass on my 75.I bought another rock that has a bigger flat area and it has settle down.Can't wait for the 240 to finish cycleing.

 

[ca1ore]

Always previously when I have kept Mags it has been in either 24 or 36 inch deep tanks - 90 is only 18. Though I'd be able to mange until upgrading to a bigger tank, but some personal complexities have pushed that out probably.

 

[worm5406]

When I get my 120 piped in with the 180, some things are going to move out of the 180, then I will have even more room in there for it to NOT touch things. LOL

 

[ca1ore]

Never had a Mag move around my tank, but never tried to keep one in a 90 gal before either. It appears to have outgrown my tank! It is now cruising along the back wall of my tank - is going to be a problem! I have an idle 40B which may have to be home, at least for a bit!

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Just don't let it get in a power head.I peeled mine off the glass twice and it still got into my mp40 with sponge guard on it.

 

[ca1ore]

Yea, no kidding! right now it is perched on the top of the back wall of the tank right next to my MP10 (which is switched off for now). I used to use some eggcrate 'cages' around my powerheads, so may have to go that route for now.

 

[radiata]

the trick i've had success with is to get a flat rock for the base and make sure it's the highest point that the ritteri has access to (i.e. It doesn't have to be the tallest part of the rock structure but the ritteri shouldn't be able to touch anything else on any side). Assuming the flow and light are good, i've had decent success with getting them to stay put. Once they are in a place where i want them, i tend to target feed a little to make sure they realize that the place they are in is a good one. It's worked well for every ritteri i've tried it with (4/4)


gigs, on the other hand, haven't been as easy.

Thank you!!!

 

[ca1ore]

Well, he or she has been behaving a bit better, but clearly bigger digs are going to be required. Quite remarkable how much it has grown.

Today



Two Months Ago



Going away for a week - any suggestions on how to nem-proof may tank? Was thinking of actually building a temporary egg-crate 'cage' to keep it on the rock.

 

[sberman]

all this talk of your mags moving now mine is on the move all water params look good flow seems good still eats like crazy i rearranged all the rock so it was alone ontop of a rock it moved all around that thing for a few days then down off it and onto the wall that was last night reaaranged again today if this does not work i am thinking my 80 has gotten way to small for it

 

[worm5406]

It is possible.. LOL.. I am waiting for the day Minh tells me that I need to get rid of my 180 and upgrade to a 400g short.

I will have to kick out one of my boys and take his room if I do that.

LOL

 

[ca1ore]

I have tried a bunch of different rocks and appear (fingers crossed) to have found one to its liking and we are now two days without 'walkabout'. So far the only casualty has been a colt coral that got the crap stung out of it - it was not eaten, just shrunken up into a ball and shedding bits of tissue. Could have been worse, I suppose, as the colt was not my favorite coral. Would be far more upset if the anemone whacked all my zooanthid colonies.

My dilemma is how to 'nem proof' the tank for a week of vacation? Obviously I will not be around to ward of any wandering attacks - or proximity to my Vortechs! I think I will reinstall my ugly egg crate cages for the week, but that's about all. The rest will be as it will be.

I'm really at the point where a bigger tank is going to be necessary.

 

[ca1ore]

all this talk of your mags moving now mine is on the move all water params look good flow seems good still eats like crazy i rearranged all the rock so it was alone ontop of a rock it moved all around that thing for a few days then down off it and onto the wall that was last night reaaranged again today if this does not work i am thinking my 80 has gotten way to small for it

What seems to have worked for me is to employ a smooth, flat rock that is bigger around than the spread out foot of my nem. Any cavities or lumps and it was on the move.

 

[sberman]

i hear ya i just passed on a 150 was thinking it is not big enough now im sure its not bad thing is i almost got another mag the other day lol