2 blue gigs.

[taylor t]

Past is found here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2259228

Today:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-02-25_726_zps09b5fb19.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-02-25_726_zps09b5fb19.jpg.html)

This guy seems pretty stable. Eats quickly, resets quickly.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-02-33_495_zps2bafeaca.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-02-33_495_zps2bafeaca.jpg.html)

This is the one that was cut. Mouth still isn't quite right, but seems to be adjusting ok. It ate 3 times in qt, wouldn't eat last night. I'll try in a couple more days, It seems like it's still trying to adjust to new tank. It's been shy of a week in this tank now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-02-40_829_zpsa331e03c.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-02-40_829_zpsa331e03c.jpg.html)

It's gotten nice and brown.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-03-18_813_zps275cd7a9.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-03-18_813_zps275cd7a9.jpg.html)

Room mate #1 attached to bottom of tank.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-02-56_351_zps2f6116ba.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-02-56_351_zps2f6116ba.jpg.html)

Room mate #2
This guy shows some similarities of a gig at times. Stays attached to the rock only.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-13_14-02-50_895_zpsdf24cb06.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-13_14-02-50_895_zpsdf24cb06.jpg.html)

[xtlosx]

Wow, what a neat tank.. Good luck with the blues!! That is the last one of my list to own... :-)

[cet98]

you are the man....they look fantastic!!!
kudos on a job well done :D

FYI, that green one is just amazing in person and the pics do it no justice

[Rotknee]

Out of curiosity, how does the blue gig react to your lighting? Does it ever appear to want less light?

[taylor t]

Wow, what a neat tank.. Good luck with the blues!! That is the last one of my list to own... :-)
Thanks! Let me know when we're all going house hopping. :dance:


you are the man....they look fantastic!!!
kudos on a job well done :D

FYI, that green one is just amazing in person and the pics do it no justice
Thanks Craig! Wish I could take credit for a job well done, but it's more like pulling the handle on a slot machine and closing your eyes... Pete's the man, he's the one that got them. Jackpot!
You're next after your move! We'll get you converted too!


Out of curiosity, how does the blue gig react to your lighting? Does it ever appear to want less light?
They all react the same. They love the light, and show it during the light cycle. Lights come on, they expand to size, lights out, they go to about 80% size. No deflates yet since going into the 75. (knock knock) They all extend/face towards the light. I'm ashamed to show this, but figure it may be useful to someone... I'm using all kinds of ghetto rigs... T5 ATI blue plus, DIY LED (60 3watt cree with lenses), and MH 250 watt 10K hamilton. It will all get changed back to all DIY LED in my hood when the weather gets warmer. I'm hoping I can switch to LED for good with no problems, in a couple months. We'll see. I may just stick with MH.

I took my hood off a little while ago. The large blue haddoni I got at Thanksgiving. I got it from another reefer. The salinity was around 1.021 in the tank it came from. That guy said he had it for 4 months, so I took a chance. He fed it right before I got there, the mouth was 3-4" gapping, had bald patches, but he said it was just a slow eater, always was. Hind sight, that guy was a bit ..... anyways, I figured, he had it so long, I'd risk it. Got it home, it was falling apart in chunks, I didn't see at the time because it was so big, so ruffled looking, had bald patches, and the mouth didn't close for about 3 months. It filled a 5 gallon bucket half way, anemone only. I'm happily suprised that it is still around today. Bald patches are gone, but parts of the disk are deformed. Outer chunks came off, giving it "fingers" where it used to be a round disk. The thing was a huge monster to start with. Because of this anemone, I removed my LED hood and put a MH 250 over it. It didn't seem to be getting better with LED, which it came from. It had amazing color, just was falling apart and wouldn't eat for a couple months. It was in really poor shape. If it wasn't for it's size, I'm pretty sure it would have died. Now, it's doing quite well. Finally eats well. Seems like that's how I always get anemone's, in septic condition. My green one came (free) from a tank with nothing, cold, no lights for over a month. Owner was going to throw it out because he was taking down a tank that was just sitting full of water. Thought, eh, I'll take it, I've got a tank it can die in... Now look at it. First time I saw Pete's gigs in person, gapping mouths, flat, etc. etc... There's always an exception, but generally, gigs should NEVER deflate. I had one for a while, lost it during my tank upgrade a few years ago. I've watched them month after month...
Enough rambling. Here's my lights I'm currently using. The MH washes almost the whole tank, so everyone's getting a little of everything. Go ahead and laugh...it's working... :)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-14_12-03-09_631_zps5c400ac0.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-14_12-03-09_631_zps5c400ac0.jpg.html)

Sorry Rotknee, got off track a bit... All the anemone's seem to love the light, and reach towards it. When flow is stopped, the gigs vibrate pretty well, as does my blue haddoni right after lights go down. The green haddoni never vibrates, and tents are always short on that one. Blue haddoni you can always see where the mouth is. The green haddoni you can not tell exactly where the mouth is, it's just a solid flat plate of tentacles. Gig on top left has a mouth that's like a tight little dot. Gig on top right has tight mouth, but it's tooth is always sticking out. Poor guy needs a dentist. Got the urge to try feeding them after watching them last night. All 4 ate well. Salmon. :) If you made it this far, too much mumbling, sorry...

[Rotknee]

Thanks for the insight Taylor! That puts things in perspective for me. I have a "rescue" blue gig now that was looking pretty bad a couple of days ago. This gig was cut and the severity of the cut wasn't obvious until I got it home. I have had it for 8 days. It's in QT being treated with Cipro and looks 100% better over the last 48 hours. Prior to that it would deflate when the lights ( single Ai Sol Blue in a 20g tank) were at maximum intensity. Based upon what you shared I guess that is typical of a sick gig. I originally asked about lighting b/c I thought "Maybe I'm giving it too much light?" Based on what you shared I may break out my T5's too LOL.

Again, thanks for taking the time to respond to my question.:beer:

[taylor t]

Updated pics.
They really do better with no food. Every time I feed them, they look worse the next day. Sorry, just what I'm seeing. You be the judge.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg.html)

Here's the guy that was cut. The mouth has moved a bit to the center, the bald patch that is around the mouth has gained more material, but the poor guy needs a dentist sometimes. Still sticks one tooth out once in a while. It appears the mouth is moving slowly to the center of the disk now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg.html)

[xtlosx]

Updated pics.
They really do better with no food. Every time I feed them, they look worse the next day. Sorry, just what I'm seeing. You be the judge.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg.html)

Here's the guy that was cut. The mouth has moved a bit to the center, the bald patch that is around the mouth has gained more material, but the poor guy needs a dentist sometimes. Still sticks one tooth out once in a while. It appears the mouth is moving slowly to the center of the disk now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg.html)

Now that's an interesting observation, and I actually think my purple is the same way.. When he was getting fed daily (from first day in DT) I believe the food helped him and was vital, but it got to a point now that he has grown probably 2-4" since getting here, and I've noticed myself that feeding daily now he doesn't look nearly as inflated and good. I've backed off to every other day, but think I might just go to once a week now.

On the other hand, my green gig that just got here a little over a month ago, still benefits from the daily feedings, and not only has he grown since getting here, the shag in his tentacles is really starting to come back... I reckon at some point I'll have to back off on feedings with him too since they both catch Rod's particles when I feed the tank anyways throughout the day.

Good observation!

[ptr13]

nice nems David, you have done a great job rehabbing them, cheers man.

[OrionN]

They look great.

Regarding feeding Gigantea, I find that if you don't feed them once in a while, they don't look as good as feeding at least once a week.

[sberman]

very nice tank and some really good info thanks

[cichlidconvert]

My gigs went 3 months without feeding at the lfs. And I just fed them their first piece of salmon the other day. I figure I will only feed once a week. At 18-19" the green guy doesn't need to bulk up lol.

[Rotknee]

They definitely look bigger, fuller and just plane ol' better in the first pic. From what we do know they do not have to be fed with good lighting. I believe it has also been established that "food does a recovering nem good". Point being, you have options.

cichlidconvert...18-19"???!!! That is a big boy! Don't think it could get too much bigger in captivity.

[taylor t]

Thanks everyone!

Here's some updated photo's. Sorry for dirty glass, not enough time in the day...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011846_zps58e36358.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011846_zps58e36358.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011841_zps75187722.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011841_zps75187722.jpg.html)

[taylor t]

Blue haddoni got the boot. I had this guy in QT last posts, been here almost a couple months now. This pic pretty close to real color.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011843_zpsa7aee8d4.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011843_zpsa7aee8d4.jpg.html)

This is when I first got it. Very slow to regain color.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011826_zps251306aa.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011826_zps251306aa.jpg.html)

Here it is with the one that was cut.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011848_zpsf63d1516.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011848_zpsf63d1516.jpg.html)

And, last but not least.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011847_zpscaf142ea.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011847_zpscaf142ea.jpg.html)

I changed my lights back to LED 2 months ago, after last posting. 100% LED now.

[hobogato]

awesome tank! that last pic really shows a big color change.

[taylor t]

Thanks!

Here's my lights now. 3 stages, non-dimmable DIY 3 watt Cree, one side is using all 60, one side is using only 48. I've got blues, blue and white, and white. Starts on at 10 am, full all on by noon, start ramping down around 9, all off by 11pm.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011849_zps2e767a9a.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011849_zps2e767a9a.jpg.html)

[taylor t]

Thermometer on the upper left is pointless... only goes up to 84.... :)

[taylor t]

I was going through pictures. Here are the two blues in QT treatment with cipro. Same, left in pic is left in tank now, right in pic is cut one in middle (right blue). Amazing difference.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-03-12_21-16-09_840_zps61a73171.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-03-12_21-16-09_840_zps61a73171.jpg.html)

Here's the one on the right.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011853_zpsddc082a6.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011853_zpsddc082a6.jpg.html)

Here's the one on the left.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/P1011851_zpsc2b06b80.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/P1011851_zpsc2b06b80.jpg.html)

[OrionN]

I am really glad that they did well for you. Great job

[xtlosx]

Looking awesome... Really makes me want to find a blue to add to our collection.. What a difference cipro, and some great care makes for these animals. Kudos kind Sir.

[taylor t]

So for a few weeks now, I've been trying to feed them a couple times a week, frozen raw shrimp from the store, and sometimes frozen mysis from the LFS. I've noticed a growth and color explosion on the green one, and the 2 blues seem to be going down in size, keeping their color, and have started leaving their mouths open/loose a bit more. I'm telling ya, I don't think they like to eat, or I haven't found WHAT they like to eat yet. Last night was the second night of full collapse on both blues. Out of no where, well, kind of. Only one thing I can think... My tank temp shot up to 90 degrees 3 times in the last month with my heater. I now have a controller on it, starting last night... I"m starting to think they may go backwards in progress... while green has grown a lot. Blues have slowed in feeding responses, while green gig is almost instant close with food. I don't get it. Had all for several months now, and all the sudden with eating, things have changed negative for 2, and positive for one. Green gig hasn't looked better. It's doing great. Haddoni still the same, and has been on same feeding schedule as everyone else. Haddoni still eats lightning fast too. All corals, green slimer, zoo's, candy canes, xenia, all doing very well, tests all where they need to be... I'm going to be at a loss soon, I fear... Just a waiting game, I guess. Here's today.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsc967f67a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsc967f67a.jpeg.html)
Green gig has really added mass, and color, but can't really tell from the photo. Blue gigs only have blue tips with brown algae everywhere else, while this green gig has bright green tips, and where the blues are brown, the green one looks like it's taking on all green, no brown, just a darker green. Like a 2 toned green.

Whole tank today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps63beae51.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps63beae51.jpeg.html)

I'm hoping they are just showing me displeasure with the temperature as of late, and they stop deflating at night... I've got a controller set to 82-83 now, where they've been for a couple months, until my wonderful heater decided to change it up.

[taylor t]

Here's the guy that came in cut. He's completely healed, but just doesn't look like it's doing as well as it was a couple months ago. I just moved it yesterday a few inches out of the flow, it was getting pounded.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsbb9ea3b3.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsbb9ea3b3.jpeg.html)

This guy was a really fast eater. Now it's really slow, and the tents have gotten really really short in a couple spots. Not sure what's going on.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps358c2e06.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps358c2e06.jpeg.html)

Here's my green gig. Gotten much "shaggier" (as Tom calls it :) ), and has taken on more color. VERY slow to recover in the color department, but it's all coming back green, not brown. Yes, I'm sure the brown zoo is growing inside it, but to the eye, it looks like two shades of green.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps4c9a858b.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps4c9a858b.jpeg.html)

Maybe someone sees something I'm doing wrong? Or, something I'm not doing right? Or not doing at all? To most of you, the pics of the blues probably look ok, but I've watched them for months, and see them everyday, and the 2 blues are struggling. The green meanwhile has exploded in attitude, size, and vigor. Not sure what to make of it.

[sberman]

Maybe try one big water change

[taylor t]

May need to try that. I usually try to do a 5 gallon change a week. Thanks!

[OrionN]

I never do small water change. When I change it at least 50% of the water.

[sjwitt]

Have you thought maybe it's the change to LED? If everything else is the same that appears to be the only major difference. Can you put the MH back on and see if they respond differently?

[sberman]

Usually i try a big change once a month

[flakey]

wow, you're so lucky to have so many nice gigs. hope the blues recover....

[Jamie1210]

how're they doing?

[taylor t]

Thanks for opinions/help/suggestions everyone.


I never do small water change. When I change it at least 50% of the water.
Do you notice for the next day or two your anemone is upset from the change, or does it like it? Seems when I do larger ones, they get mad for a day or few.


Have you thought maybe it's the change to LED? If everything else is the same that appears to be the only major difference. Can you put the MH back on and see if they respond differently?
I did think about that, but the one that was under only LED and T5 is the one struggling the most, and it was doing very well a couple months ago. It was never really under MH.
I added T5 back on today. Time will tell if that was it.


how're they doing?

Thanks for asking. Well, I think both blues are really struggling. The green seems really healthy. I'm on the fence with taking the two blues out and doing another cipro treatment. It's been a few days now since I've seen any deflates. They have eaten, and stay inflated, but still look "off" to me, even though the pics say otherwise. Also thinking about taking the haddoni out, the flow is a bit much for it, it's not too happy with the higher flow, but the gigs seem to like it. I've done daily 10 gallon water changes, but after 4 days, they looked mad, so I skipped a couple days, and they seemed to like the rest. Hard to say, I go by sight.

Yesterday before the water change:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps9b4556a4.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps9b4556a4.jpeg.html)

Today after the water change I did last night (after picture above):
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpscf0a6039.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpscf0a6039.jpeg.html)
I added T5 lights to the LED's today, the cords through the front door are only a temp trial.


Here's 2 of them. It doesn't look like it, but blue is struggling.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsd1d77361.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsd1d77361.jpeg.html)

Here's the other blue. This one is really struggling too.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps180e2455.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps180e2455.jpeg.html)

Mouths closed, sometimes, open sometimes, but not inside out (not the real bad way, just showing it's "teeth"). Mouth is always closed tight after eating. Haven't shrank in a few days now. The last pic, it's loosing tents, but keeping the disk size. Tents still vibrate and are still sticky with food. I try to feed a tiny piece every day now, size of pencil eraser, slightly bigger. Human grade frozen shrimp. I'm kind of stumped as to what to do to stop the regression of the blues. I think medicating them would be a big upset, to both them and me. It would be a big set back. I don't like how they have progressed as of late. I'm taking it one day at a time.

Green on the other hand, appears as if it is doing very very well. Eats with lightning speed. Fast reset. Goes from 100% size down to 80-90% size at night. Blues go from 100% size down to a floppy 50% size at night. They didn't do this before. Going on a couple weeks now, I think.

[OrionN]

They get upset the day of the water change but always look great the next day

[AQUA DAVE]

I have had a blue gig that went from around 7 inches in diameter to 30 inches in diameter without feeding it one time. Had them under 400watt 20k Radiums. Blues like to get pounded by light.

[Jamie1210]

A thought occurred to me as I was going through your thread. After reading about several members' experience with chemical warfare, do you think it's possible that the green gig is actually fighting with the blues? As the green got stronger, it was able to "fight" the blue gig's better, causing them to decrease in health. It's an interesting pattern to me--that the blues were doing great, even when a weakened green was introduced; however, when the green started doing well, the blue ones declined.

Not sure what to advise, other than separating the blues from the green and seeing what happens...just something to think about maybe?

[ptr13]

Nice green gig David, hope those blues will turn around for you after water changes and keep us posted.

[taylor t]

A thought occurred to me as I was going through your thread. After reading about several members' experience with chemical warfare, do you think it's possible that the green gig is actually fighting with the blues? As the green got stronger, it was able to "fight" the blue gig's better, causing them to decrease in health. It's an interesting pattern to me--that the blues were doing great, even when a weakened green was introduced; however, when the green started doing well, the blue ones declined.

Not sure what to advise, other than separating the blues from the green and seeing what happens...just something to think about maybe?

Thank you for your thoughts. It is interesting that about the same time the green got strong, the two blues declined, but I'm not sure that's it, yet. I'm hoping they can live together, but if I need to make a choice, then I will. I can't set up any more systems, so I'm hoping I can keep them together.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Here are a couple shots from today. Not impoving, but not quickly declining either. I don't like how they have been acting. I see the decline that's been going on for a while now. These guys should be much larger and much more stable than they are, for how long I have had them. I'm very unhappy with their progress, but no deflates as of lately, so maybe a little improvement, but no where near enough.

Here's the left one. Still looks off to me. I don't like how it's mouth is. Still has short tent areas. Pic looks better than I feel it's doing.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpse4b4ffaa.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpse4b4ffaa.jpeg.html)

Now, this is an interesting one. I caught this when the lights went on this morning. The one that was cut, is growing it's other "tooth" back. It's just a start of a white tooth, not fully developed like the one original, but it definately is growing another one back. It wasn't there a couple months ago. I'm sure of it.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps0a7befef.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps0a7befef.jpeg.html)

and another one. The "tooth" isn't fully developed. It is just a white spec, but I'm sure of what it is.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps74ed8590.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps74ed8590.jpeg.html)

[xrayjeeper83]

thats cool that its growing the tooth back

[ptr13]

my nem look like that sunday too so by the time I got home today Dave, the mouth was inside out so time to cipro, might be an option for you Dave. I have to treat this nem before its too late, it is a nice one, would hate to lose this one.

[xtlosx]

If you need to re-home a blue Gig, I know someone with a 150G that would gladly help :-)

[ptr13]

thanks for the offer, have enough room for it.

[xtlosx]

thanks for the offer, have enough room for it.

oh I was joking, heck not even ready for another one anyways.. maybe someday. I'll admire Your guys' for now.

[taylor t]

I feel paralized. I don't want to make rash reaction, but they still drag on. I went out of town for a few days, came back, and KH dropped to 6, from normal 10. Calcium is still at 450. I haven't tested mag yet, but I know what the b-ionic looks like when added if the mag is low (it snows differently before it disolves) and it looks good (I know, I need to test it).
Haddoni was no where to be seen when I got back last night, sucked into gravel. I dosed heavy KH before I left, hoping KH would drift down a LITTLE lower while I was gone, not a lot lower. It must have backfired, it dropped faster than normal. I upped it to 9 last night, (just got back last night), today they all look like they have, just on the fence. All 3 gigs ate today, and haddoni did not eat. Haddoni is bottomless pit normally. I'm afraid to do cipro, it's a major hastle (QT tank currently has clowns I'd have to rehome). They don't deflate as far as I can tell, but still look eh, bla to me (except green, super hairy and no sign of a mouth on it, completely covered in tentacles). Green looks fantastic, eats really fast. Both blue gigs ate, but very slow. Haddoni reacted very weak, and then let food go.

Here is today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps117b006b.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps117b006b.jpeg.html)

This guy has an open mouth, but I can't get a good pic of it.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps715839a6.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps715839a6.jpeg.html)

This guy still has open mouth.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsee1b53f0.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsee1b53f0.jpeg.html)

This guy seems to be doing amazing.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsc7a157ae.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsc7a157ae.jpeg.html)

24 hours ago, this guy was MIA. Looks ok today, but wouldn't eat.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps09a48d51.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps09a48d51.jpeg.html)

I still feel like I'm paralized. I don't know what to do to improve these guys with out making big changes, like rehoming. If I cipro them, I'd be rehoming a pair of clowns I've had for years (was hoping to put them in here when they all settled in). I thought I was done with cipro. Maybe not... going on weeks like this now. :(

My gut is saying to rehome the haddoni first.

[Jamie1210]

why don't u buy a small 10 gallon tank to temporarily house the clowns? really, all you need is a sponge filter, a heater (if that), and ur ready to go.

[OrionN]

I don't know what to tell you. This is what I would try:
1st I try large volume water change 50% plus weekly.
After several times of this if not improve, I would start remove anemones. Either remove the least valuable (sell, give, board to other tanks), or the sickest, or the different species first, take your pick.

If you have multiple system line me, just swab them around, trying to isolate the one that you think is worst. As it is, I am not sure if treating with Cipro would help.

What ever you do, good luck.

[BonsaiNut]

The only other thought I would offer based on NO scientific evidence...

I would consider pulling your macro algae. I know it sounds weird, but I have had problems keeping coral, anemones, etc, in closed systems with a lot of macro algae - especially the caulerpa varieties. You have a ton of caulerpa which might be impacting your water chemistry (particularly pH stability) and dissolved oxygen levels (particularly at night).

Many people who keep macro algae put it in a refugium on a reverse light cycle than the main display tank.

[sjwitt]

I agree with BonsaiNut but also have NO scientific evidence on which to base this suggestion other than a gut feeling. I thought it when I first saw all that Macro in the picture but didn't offer it because I have nothing to base it on.

[taylor t]

[QUOTE=BonsaiNut;21789248]The only other thought I would offer based on NO scientific evidence...

I would consider pulling your macro algae. QUOTE]

Thank you for your thoughts... I thought the same a few weeks ago, but left it...


Again, thanks for the feed back everyone.

Quick update. I've decided to pull the 2 blues and cipro. While the green has grown and looks amazing, even doing 25% water changes consecutive days in a row, the blues continue to just hang in and look like crap. Not improving, not going down, until today. I came home today, (no water change yesterday, first break of several days in a row), and both blues are half size and mouths are larger open. I'm cleaning out the 10 gallon with my other clowns, doing some re-arranging and livestock juggling, and blues are starting cipro today. Green gig looks great. Go figure. I'll update when any changes happen.

And, I'm going in with the tongs to remove as much macro as I can. The last few water changes, I sucked out a lot of macro, and the stuff on the bottom was all rotten, falling apart, and clear. I think it was decomposing it was so thick, most likely the cause... lack of maintenance on my part...

[sjwitt]

Be careful when removing all that Macro. I would remove as much as possible and then immediately follow with a very large water change.

[ptr13]

Hope your guys pull through Dave, mine was not so lucky from the poisoning of the other nem, so one of my large blue but two gigs are doing well and keep us posted. He went through cipro without luck, looked good for a couple days then bite the dust so had to pull the plug since it deflated.

[xtlosx]

My purple came from this batch of Gigs..... What's going on?!

[ptr13]

I didn't remove the nem on time that was dying,by then was too late,my bad and they were doing well

[taylor t]

Pete, that really sucks to hear... :(

Tom, I don't think you have anything to worry about... Just a couple knuckleheads over here that can't keep up with daily tasks.... :( I'm working on it... I did remove a bunch of macro, but still have more to remove.

I can't post photo's right now, but when my email gets fixed this week, I will. Not much to report. Green gig is doing very well. I may have to agree with you D-NAK, you may be on to something with gig fighting. The 2 blues I have are in meds right now, both look the same, mouths open, but there's something to them that looks like they've "perked" up a little, tentacle wise and inflation wise, but not how I like to see. Only on 2 days of cipro, I'm going to do 5-7 if they can hold up to it. They should. I'm hoping I didn't wait too long to start the re-treatment.

I'm not sure why both blues decided to go downhill after doing well for a while. And, why is the green doing so well right now? It's over doubled in size since I got it, tents have gotten very long, and has gotten very nice coloration to it. Eats fast. I don't get it.

[taylor t]

Not much to update. I think the two blues are done. I tried to feed them last night, both spit out the food (took forever to eat it) and food was not consumed at all. Looked the same as it went in, they won't process it.
Today:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps32712f3b.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps32712f3b.jpeg.html)
I think I'm going to stop cipro treatment and just let them go. They won't turn around. I'm spinning my wheels.

Here's the green. It processes food like a champ. Eats fast, always looks good.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps848f4572.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps848f4572.jpeg.html)

I don't get it. No sense.

[OrionN]

I would keep on doing water change. They look Ok to me. Try to get the water condition as best as you can.

[ptr13]

hang in there David, hope they recover.

[taylor t]

Thanks Minh and Pete.

One thing I found interesting. While I have been treating the blue gigs, I pulled the cut one out of the water, hung upside down to inspect the column and foot to see if there were any traces of it being cut. None. No sign of it ever being cut. No cut lines. Mouth shows no sign, other than one tooth is smaller than the other right now, but growing... atleast was... Disk shows no sign. This pic is lights off this morning, before they wake up. They are like this all night, no severe deflate anymore, but this is pretty pathetic, IMO.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps24ccb5bd.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps24ccb5bd.jpeg.html)

This is after an hour of lights. Tried to feed last night again. No digestion is happening. They release it in the same form a couple hours later.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps090e4f16.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps090e4f16.jpeg.html)

My past experience, once they look like this, they have checked out. They don't change the form of food going in. It's like they are a shell of a creature, the main insides have already died, I'm just keeping the shell alive. Now, I think I waited too long to feed them. It's hard to judge too much, too little, too early, too late.... until they are established and healthy, when it doesn't really matter...

I'm doing 100% water changes every day, with 24 hour aged fresh saltwater. The cut one was soooo evident it was cut when Pete first sold it to me. The mouth was literally right on the edge of the disk, with no tents between the mouth and the edge. Now, look at the pics. Can't tell it was ever cut. It has moved to the center, looks just like every other dead gig that comes in. Just some info some may find interesting.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND CUTTING THEM.

[ptr13]

unless it really deflates,then I would consider it but it looks ok

[BJCollie]

Cipro kills bacteria by interfering with enzymes. It is possible that the nem cannot produce the digestive enzymes it needs while cipro is present.

I would not give up on this yet.

[Pinkskunk]

i can never understand why some people "insist" on feeding their new nems. feeding a sick nem do more harm than good. what is behind the motivation of insisting on feeding?

[xrayjeeper83]

People may assume if it eats it's OK.

[D-Nak]

Unless a nem is bleached, they don't need to be fed. Feeding them when they are trying to recover just complicates matters (fouling the water, energy wasted trying to process food, possibly introducing bacteria, etc.)

[taylor t]

While I completely agree they don't need food under normal/good conditions... I have had these guys for months now. I have been very conservative with feeding, initially didn't at all. I have watched them improve in the beginning, only to watch them regress. They are still in a regressive mode. They never really increased in mass, just started to look better, then started going backwards. Cipro didn't really help - initially a little difference, but not much now. 100% water changes every day didn't really help. A metal halide over a 10 gallon didn't really help. LED over a 10 gallon didn't help. PC over a 10 gallon didn't help. Now they are back in the 75 with the green one that's doing great. 2 blues still, Not really improving. Nothing left to try, other than feeding. While I understand the thought behind not feeding them (unless you want growth, which is what they need right now, they are getting smaller), these 2 blues won't process food. It's not that they don't "need" food, or I shouldn't feed them, but to me, just proves there's something else going on inside them. They spit it out the same form as it goes in, a few hours later. You feed ANY OTHER HEALTHY ANEMONE, IT CHANGES THE FORM IF FOOD GOING IN. Do they need food? No. I agree.

The green on the other hand, takes a larger piece of food, and spits out little tiny DIGESTED pieces a few hours later. It is changing food into poo. Gross, I know... And no, it's not zoo... it's poo... And, the end result is the green gig is growing in size. Does it need food? No. But no doubt, it is growing in size from it, faster than with out it.

I agree, HEALTHY anemone's don't need food when given the proper conditions. I've got a few other anemone's I've gone many months with no food, and do well with no food, but when an anemone is about to turn to mush, feeding it's a last ditch effort. A loosing one I'm afraid... I've watched this death march too often to know, it's already here... Atleast I got one of three to make it.

[xtlosx]

I wish my green gig looked like yours... wow is all I can say... stunning!

[OrionN]

taylor t
You may want to smash the food. Not pulverized them but just smashed them up, just enough so that they stay together and not dissolved when it hit the water. It is easier for the anemone to digest smaller bits of food.

[D-Nak]

I finally had a chance to read through the thread, and while anecdotal, I still think this has to do with allelopathy. I happen to think it's a battle of the sexes, not sure which or why, but someone isn't playing nice and I think the green nem is releasing chemicals that the other two don't like.

It could be that the green one is a male, and both of the blues are males as well. The dominant male is winning. Or, it could also be that one blue is a male and the other is a female, which is why they are reacting slightly differently.

Maybe the green one is female and the other two are males. This is why the green one is fine, but the other two, since they are both males, are fighting with each other. This could also explain why neither look better when they are QTed in the same tank. And maybe they stop eating when they fight like this.

Do you notice any perking up when you do a water change? Do you run carbon? If not, maybe you can try that.

I know that you mentioned that it wasn't possible to separate all three, but I think that's the only way that you can pinpoint what's going on. I suspect that if you isolated each one, they may each do better (which would support my allelopathy theory).

I don't think your anemones have an internal ailment, which is why Cipro isn't helping. They don't exhibit the typical deflate cycle, nor are they excessively gaping as if to try to purge something. The latest photo that shows the blue gig with the open mouth obviously doesn't look good, but I've seen them look like this when acclimating.

What this does show however, is that we know next to nothing about gigantea, especially when it comes to mating behaviors. Good luck!

[OrionN]

I think right now it is all guess work. We really don't know, other than the two Blue gigs do not appear to be infected. Maybe you can send them away.

[Jamie1210]

D-Nak, I agree with you whole-heartedly here. As I posted above, it's just way too much of a coincidence that as the green one was sickly and first introduced, the blues were healthy, and then as the green one progressed, the blue ones started failing.

Do you have any local reefers with large, established tanks FREE of any other anemone that you might be able to house it in temporarily? I really think there's a fighting chance for these guys ...

[taylor t]

D-Nak, I agree with you whole-heartedly here. As I posted above, it's just way too much of a coincidence that as the green one was sickly and first introduced, the blues were healthy, and then as the green one progressed, the blue ones started failing.

Do you have any local reefers with large, established tanks FREE of any other anemone that you might be able to house it in temporarily? I really think there's a fighting chance for these guys ...

I think right now it is all guess work. We really don't know, other than the two Blue gigs do not appear to be infected. Maybe you can send them away.

I don't know anyone, seems most around me keep sps over everything else. Anyone that could keep them, already has atleast one other anemone, so I don't think it's chances would be any better anywhere else. I'm thinking if they don't improve, I may set up another system (I have lots of rock). I really don't want to, but may end up doing it.



I wish my green gig looked like yours... wow is all I can say... stunning!

Thanks! I wish my blues looked like your purple! :)



No change, or very little... Haddoni gone... Algae is being plucked with water changes. Everyone's in a holding pattern. I'll just let them ride it out.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps54129176.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps54129176.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps342f2748.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps342f2748.jpeg.html)

These guys don't "deflate", but still don't look/act like they should.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps0aa9ba1a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps0aa9ba1a.jpeg.html)
In the morning they are about 75% size. I don't see any of the 3 deflate, but with the blues, something's going on. Tents are not long like they should be, they don't/won't digest food (still) and the mouths are still open, and they are the same size as I got them, back months ago.

Here's a pic of my green with blue LED only. It's really hard to show how this guy glows, it's really eye catching from entering the room. Hard to show in a photo.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa0b0a663.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa0b0a663.jpeg.html)

[OrionN]

Fest up,
So how may systems and how many anemones do you have?
Very nice Mertensii.
I was really wanted to buy the Mertensii on LA today until I see that price tag. :(

[taylor t]

Fest up,
So how may systems and how many anemones do you have?
Very nice Mertensii.
I was really wanted to buy the Mertensii on LA today until I see that price tag. :(

Thanks! Ha ha..no hidden systems.. I only have the 2 systems 210 & 75. My 210 has a 20L and a 40B I could house other stuff in to keep seperate, but use the same water. 5 anemone's, no more room at the inn.

[OrionN]

All my 3 gigs got along well with each other

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=6801&pictureid=55672

[xtlosx]

I don't know anyone, seems most around me keep sps over everything else. Anyone that could keep them, already has atleast one other anemone, so I don't think it's chances would be any better anywhere else. I'm thinking if they don't improve, I may set up another system (I have lots of rock). I really don't want to, but may end up doing it.





Thanks! I wish my blues looked like your purple! :)



No change, or very little... Haddoni gone... Algae is being plucked with water changes. Everyone's in a holding pattern. I'll just let them ride it out.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps54129176.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps54129176.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps342f2748.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps342f2748.jpeg.html)

These guys don't "deflate", but still don't look/act like they should.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps0aa9ba1a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps0aa9ba1a.jpeg.html)
In the morning they are about 75% size. I don't see any of the 3 deflate, but with the blues, something's going on. Tents are not long like they should be, they don't/won't digest food (still) and the mouths are still open, and they are the same size as I got them, back months ago.

Here's a pic of my green with blue LED only. It's really hard to show how this guy glows, it's really eye catching from entering the room. Hard to show in a photo.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa0b0a663.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa0b0a663.jpeg.html)

Wow, your green gig is absolutely stunning... hoping mine shags up like that someday... beautiful!!!

[taylor t]

Thanks Tom! But, yours is a great catch too! Shaggy isn't as improtant as healthy. :)

[xtlosx]

Thanks Tom! But, yours is a great catch too! Shaggy isn't as improtant as healthy. :)

Agreed, but it doesn't hurt to have both... If any of the local gig guys are ever in the Algonquin area, come on and check'em out.. would love a second opinion from some of the other gig-nuts.

[taylor t]

Minh, your gigs are absolutely beautiful! Nothing I type will top that... I hope your new ones do so well! :)

Tom, I'm only 7 minutes west of Pete, next time you're down here, stop by! Please!

OK. here's the gigs today. Still not much to report, all doing ok. The green is still doing unbelievable, still growing... but, the blues are still hanging on. on a 75 gallon tank, Ive been doing 20 gallon changes every 3 days, feeding every other or 3 days (when I have time). :)

Whole tank shot:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps9d502835.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps9d502835.jpeg.html)

Here's the 2 blues:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsf5a78c01.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsf5a78c01.jpeg.html)

Here's the green:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps65583fef.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps65583fef.jpeg.html)

Tom, this one's for you... I know you've posted you love green gigs, so here's a close up... :) and, if you're every close, stop by! (close to Pete's) I'd love to have you over.. :) coordinating time is the biggest challenge... as we all know too well...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps7a8a47db.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps7a8a47db.jpeg.html)

Any major changes, I'll post, good or bad, but seems all nems are progressing, or atleast stabilizing... I'm gussing, user error with water parameters has caused my past issues. time will tell. I'm kicking myself for trying a deep sand bed, and mixed macro algae, with this tank. A constant battle, it seems. One thing to note. When the nems were doing well, KH was around 10. When I noticed problems, it was 6-7, and currently battling to keep it above 9 (10 is my target). I have a sps green slimer, and a milli sps I use as a "canary" in the tank. Both have done well, no issues, never saw any, but Im thinking my KH may have been a culprit to the blue gigs not doing well. While they have stabilized right now, they have area's on them that aren't doing well, and they aren't up to "par" in my book. Both blue gigs have gone through 2 cipro treatments, the second treatment I don't think helped, but, stable water parameters I think DID help. I'm not sure it's chemical fighting that caused my problems. Maybe, but I can't say for sure at this point.

[OrionN]

Taylor,
Do they eat now? Try to feed mysis size food. They should have no problem digesting this size food.
I agree with good water parameter. I am doing tons of water change in my system, not because I think it is neede but I need the water for my clown babies tank. I have about 400 babies.
Use IO salt, I mix one of the 50 gal bag twice a week. I only get about 47.5 gal at 35 ppt. I drain 47.5 gal from my clown system and then pump water from my reef to the fry system. Then pump the water I mixed last time to the reef system. I am doing this twice a week. My system is doing incredibly well. I am using tab water to mix salt, not even RO water. Corpus Christi water is just a typical city water, not very clean and a lot of dissolved solid in it. Total volume of my system is about 220 gal
My SPS is growing very well and the clams are also doing really well. I keep my alkalinity at about 3.0 or so and my Ca is at about 450 with a Ca reactor.

[taylor t]

Oops... I did forget to post a little more in depth about that - got distracted during my post last night...

Yes! They have both eaten, and digested what was given them. I crushed a small piece of shrimp, both had a good feeding response. Maybe the cipro stopped them from being able to digest food earlier. Hopefully they start/continue to improve now. I think I've given them 4 feedings total in the past week or two, every several days now. They seem to be doing well with this. They are not making huge improvements, but are always "perky" and never flat. Mouths are still not as tight as I would like them. And, one of them has nubs for tentacles around the mouth. As if it was consuming them at one point.

Here's a fresh one from just now. The gig on the left is the one that is "bald" around the mouth. The mouth is closed pretty good on this one. The one on the right is the cut one. It has it's "tongue" sticking out most the time.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1af366e2.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1af366e2.jpeg.html)

Here's another one of the green from just now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps052eab6c.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps052eab6c.jpeg.html)

I wish the colors in the photo's were better... sorry....

[taylor t]

Here's a pic from top. Hard to see, I know, but the mouth is always open, unless I feed it. THEN, it closes nice and tight.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps4220f030.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps4220f030.jpeg.html)

Here's one just for kicks. I find this interesting. Both these guys came from the same store, the same time. Different tentacle appearances. One looks like it's tents are very thin and fragile. The other, much thicker.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps0cc3b6bf.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps0cc3b6bf.jpeg.html)

[OrionN]

They look loads better. Keep on feeding them (but not too much), they will be fine.

[OrionN]

That pulverized food trick help with my weak anemones.

[taylor t]

Pics from today.

Green is doing very well. Strongest gig I've ever had.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps578b262d.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps578b262d.jpeg.html)

This is the blue one that was cut, it has healed to the point it's cut is not detectable at all, and turned around for the better. Eats well. Mouth is not super tight, but closed nice. I'm very happy with the progress this one has made lately.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpse2ff4887.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpse2ff4887.jpeg.html)

This one I'm sad for. It is progressively getting worse. The tentacles are disappearing around the mouth, and the baldness is getting more and more. It does eat, the outer tentacles seem to be doing very well, getting longer it seems, but around the mouth, this guy is going bald and is getting worse. Mouth is always open, but after it eats, it closes a little, but still remains slightly open. Not good. It still is hanging on, but I don't have much hope for this guy. I feed them every other day, sometimes every day. This one seems to do better with daily feedings. One small piece of thawed shrimp. Half inch square piece, crushed. It is hanging on, don't know how... When I skip a day of feeding, it really shows.

:(
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpscbbaab1a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpscbbaab1a.jpeg.html)

FTS
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsdbc083ee.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsdbc083ee.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

Here's a better pic with no flash.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsf24c5fd4.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsf24c5fd4.jpeg.html)

This is right after eating. The best, and most inflated it ever looks. Couple more hours, that mouth will start hanging open again. I wonder if this guy needs two smaller feedings spaced out 12 hours? Cut it's meal in half and feed twice a day? It seems to always look better after a meal.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps73d05ecd.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps73d05ecd.jpeg.html)

Green, with no flash. Base color of the tents look pink. Pic doesn't show well.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps66e1697a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps66e1697a.jpeg.html)

[Pinkskunk]

very nice nems.

[Overboard]

They look great!

[ptr13]

looking good Dave, will pull for the last one for a recovery.

[xtlosx]

The green is amazing looking! Great job with these animals and as well hoping the blue pulls through. I still need to find a blue to complete my collection...

[taylor t]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Here is today... too lazy to clean my glass... I still think I'm going to lose a blue.
Green looks great as always.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps5a9a7568.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps5a9a7568.jpeg.html)

The one blue seems to be doing better.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps41951023.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps41951023.jpeg.html)

Here's a side view through really really dirty glass...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsd31f3046.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsd31f3046.jpeg.html)

This guy has been through two treatments, and still refuses to really turn around.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsee2d77f0.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsee2d77f0.jpeg.html)

Balding continues to get worse.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps69266fa7.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps69266fa7.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps04e65f31.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps04e65f31.jpeg.html)

I know the photo's don't show a nem that is in decline, but sad to say, it is. The edge of the disk looks like it's getting ready to start falling apart. My guess, is, having all my algae rotting a couple months ago in the display, really set these guys back, and one doesn't look like it's going to recover. Strange, but both nems doing well have one of those white anemone crabs in them. The one on it's way out doesn't, nor, do the crabs want anything to do with it. I don't think the crabs are the reason, but something just to note.

[taylor t]

Well, here's today. One blue gig is still "declining", but strange enough, it still eats...! ...? Not sure what to make of it. The center of the disk has now lost all it's tentacles. It is smooth in parts. Mouth is nice and tight. Go figure.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps8721e0b7.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps8721e0b7.jpeg.html)

This blue, the one I refer to as "the cut one" is really doing well. Seems to have started to jump up in health, and I mean JUMP, and overall appearance. Eats really well too, when fed. The visual appearance of this guy has really improved, and quite noticably.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps3b5fb593.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps3b5fb593.jpeg.html)

And, the green one. Strange, but yesterday it refused food. First time it has done this, that I can remember. This one doesn't look quite as "robust" as it did a few weeks ago, but still appears to be doing well.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1a5b4c72.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1a5b4c72.jpeg.html)

You will have to give me a little grace... it was either, clean the glass, or post some pics... you see what I opted to do with my small window of time - we all LOVE pics, right? I didn't want to clean the glass until after I test my water, and I have a list of other things to do tonight before that....

I'm not sure what to make of the one losing it's tents. It still eats, never deflates, doesn't move, and mouth looks ok. Not tight like I want, (I like the mouth invisable to the eye/undetectable), but it is closed. Maybe it's turning into a haddoni! I kid, I kid... It eats, which I don't understand. And, to add, it eats with vigor. Not a slow response, but fast. It has plenty of energy to it, and is still very brown in the disk. It doesn't appear to be losing it's zoo algae, it does the same as the other two with the light cycle - only deflates a little bit at lights out, like normal. Stays that way all night, then lights on - inflates to full size in the day. Just going bald. It's tentacley challenged.

[taylor t]

Looking back at my pics, looks like only one at a time can thrive. Maybe it's time to pick one and run with it.

[xtlosx]

Looking back at my pics, looks like only one at a time can thrive. Maybe it's time to pick one and run with it.

If you need a foster parent for a blue.......

[taylor t]

Tom, I know you have your crosshairs set on one of these guys in the future.... I'll let you know if that's the direction it goes, but someone else already had dibs on them if they go... But I'll remember you if that person turns down... I'm going to hang on to all of them as long as I can, but we'll see.

Here's from today. Typical. FTS. I cleaned the glass last night. :)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps77cde33b.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps77cde33b.jpeg.html)

[jcarbone61]

Updated pics.
They really do better with no food. Every time I feed them, they look worse the next day. Sorry, just what I'm seeing. You be the judge.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-51_265_zpscbfa6114.jpg.html)

Here's the guy that was cut. The mouth has moved a bit to the center, the bald patch that is around the mouth has gained more material, but the poor guy needs a dentist sometimes. Still sticks one tooth out once in a while. It appears the mouth is moving slowly to the center of the disk now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/2013-04-30_18-17-45_12_zps004b45a8.jpg.html)

Awesome blue gig....any problems with it stinging other corals ?

[BonsaiNut]

Personally, I would stop feeding - and definitely stop feeding big chunks of food. Digesting big chunks is a very high energy exercise for an anemone. Smaller chunks or even liquid food is easier to digest. You can raise a gig from the size of a dime to full adult size with no supplemental feeding in fresh seawater in sunlight, so supplemental feeding is NOT a requirement for these photosynthetic creatures. Supplemental feeding is really only necessary if an anemone has lost its zooxanthellae - and even then it is preferable to feed small food like a blend or a mash and not big chunks.

By the way - in that purple one you don't have an anemone crab, do you?

[taylor t]

Bonsainut, as always, I appreciate you're experience and opinions. I may just stop feeding for a while and see how they do. And, I do have 2 anemone crabs, but I don't have a purple anemone, so not sure which one you're wondering about. The anemone crabs are really only staying in the two that are doing well (one blue, and the green). I have caught the one living in the green nem making it's way over to the other blue to say "hi" to the other crab, for a one nighter, (more than once) but the next day it's back in the green one again. The one that's going "bald" doesn't have a crab living in it. But, the "bald" one, as I type this, has a nice tight mouth, and has great "body" language, nice and ruffled... just balding...

I DID find a peppermint shrimp in my tank a couple weeks ago (I bought a few a couple years ago, I thought they all died, hadn't seen any for a couple years)...? Maybe it's coming out at night for a side dish of gig?

Thinking of feeding... I have a mertens (had for several years, so I've been able to see results of different husbandry/tank conditions/care) "played" with various levels of dosing things (mainly varying KH levels), that has gone a very long time with no food, months. But, when it's fed, it really "looks" better... I know it goes against the "no feeding" school of thought. But quite honestly, the anemone's I've fed over the years, really look better when fed (basically all of them). Maybe it has to do with an anemone that's struggling to acclimate to tank life vs. well acclimated?


I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong. I see others claim their gigs go from a tiny dink to a monster in months, with feeding. I think I remember EC saying his eats "a lot of groceries"... (made me laugh, that's why I remember that)Others also claim the opposite, that their gig has grown with no feeding at all, in a short time period also. The gigs I've got have been in captivity for 9+ months? Minus a few months for acclimation. Seems like they should be bigger than they are. One of the reasons I've been wanting to keep feeding them... I will try not feeding for a while and see how they do.

Thanks to all for opinions and thoughts. :)

[taylor t]

jcarbone61 - sorry I blew past your question... I got distracted earlier...

Thanks! No, the corals in this tank are secondary. If they / when they get stung, I don't care. They are all "extras" from another tank. Like all anemone's, they can/will kill corals if/when they touch. The anemone's get full reign of the tank, if they want, and any coral killed is no loss. All corals are duplicates from my other tank. My only concern with coral in the tank touching anemone's would be the dying tissue adding to the bioload.

[BonsaiNut]

Hi Taylor;

When I said purple I was referring to the bald one :) It looked a little purple in the photo above.

All of these guys can be a little different. I have had gigs in a tank together and one will behave one way while the other will behave in a different way - in the same water, light, etc.

Here's what confuses me. Normally when I see missing or stubby tentacles, it is a sign of starvation. But that is usually accompanied by bleaching, since an anemone with a healthy population of zooxanthellae (and light to support it) should have plenty of energy to survive, at the minimum. Your anemone looks nice and dark, AND it is in a tank with two other healthy gigs, which suggests to me that the environment is fine.

The other thing is this - when an anemone starves it consumes its inner tentacles fastest. But ALL tentacles shrink and shorten. Your gig has long very healthy tentacles on the outside mixed with bald / disappeared tentacles on the inside. It doesn't look the way I would expect a starving anemone to look.

The only other time I have seen missing anemone tentacles, and general stress like your anemone is showing, is in the case of predation. The only critters that I have seen/experienced that eat tentacles so that they appear "bald" like yours are crabs and shrimp. I have seen fish and worms pick on anemones, but they don't normally exhibit the same way.

That's why I asked if you had any anemone crabs. Same goes for shrimp. I would consider locking up your crabs for two weeks to see if your anemone changes appearance. The other thing to try - check out your tank in the middle of the night. Make sure lights are totally out, then creep into the room with a dim flashlight and see if anything is in/around your anemone. I have caught all manner of nocturnal critters up to no good in my tanks at midnight.

Finally, are you sure your anemone is getting to digest its meal? I have had cleaner shrimp that were very adept at waiting until an anemone was fed, and then walking over and ripping the food out of the anemone.

Just trying to help out.

[taylor t]

[QUOTE=BonsaiNut;22070684]Hi Taylor;

When I said purple I was referring to the bald one :) It looked a little purple in the photo above.

QUOTE]



BonsaiNut, I really appreciate your feedback... Looking back, you are right.... it looked a little purple in that pic... but, it's not purple at all. It's blue for sure, but a darker blue than the other one. It's kind of shrunk up, making the tents a bit concentrated in the color appearance.

As for crabs, I have only (2) of these guys, and I've never seen them doing anything questionable with my nems... had them for atleast the past year, and in other nems too. I have only witnessed model citizen behavior from these guys:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps0b1f27f6.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps0b1f27f6.jpeg.html)

I HAVE heard "clicking" at night, but never have I been able to see what's making it. I've had this rock for atleast 6, 7, or 8 years, and have tried to find the "clicker", and never have I been able to see it. I heard it 6, 7, or 8years ago, I still hear it when I come down at night, but never see it. I'm guessing it's a pistol shrimp. It's not as loud as a mantis. Little clicks. This rock has been with various anemone's over the years too... never had an anemone go bald like this. I'm having trouble thinking it's a predator, (but I'm sure it could be) the tents are all the same size nubs in the center, with a tiny blue spot at the tip where each tent was/is. My gut is telling me it's "self shrinking" for some reason. A while back the edge looked like it was about to start falling apart, when I had too much rotting algae, but not anymore. The disk looks pretty firm now. Maybe the bald guy is more sensitive than the others to something going on, or that went on. It did have much thinner tents that the other two. The other two have thick tents, for gigs.


I think it would be easier to not feed any of them, to avoid the crabs stealing eaten food, than to try to get those crabs out of the anemone's, the anemone's are like velcro.

Here's the bald one today:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps94408d57.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps94408d57.jpeg.html)

And if you made it this far, this view is through the side of my tank, as I sit at my desk. I like it. :)
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1e00cd64.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1e00cd64.jpeg.html)

I think short term, I will not feed them for a while, and keep an eye on the crabs. I may try to trap the pepermint shrimp. I don't trust that guy.

[taylor t]

FTS today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps5fd67900.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps5fd67900.jpeg.html)

Green doing well.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps20f25b5c.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps20f25b5c.jpeg.html)

This is the one I'm most excited about. It has 1/4" tents growing all over, where it was bald. It's made a complete 180. Now the crab has made it's way to it during the day, as you can see.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa7f7fa62.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa7f7fa62.jpeg.html)

This one is doing amazing.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps7fc726c9.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps7fc726c9.jpeg.html)

This is a day or two ago, before I moved the rock, giving the top one more room.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsc84b1d38.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsc84b1d38.jpeg.html)

I'm really happy with the progress these guys have made since my last post. No food. :)

[OrionN]

I am glad he is doing well for you. I got the same thing happen to one of my Gig also. Not deflating, just not doing well, and not eating well either.

[taylor t]

I got the same thing happen to one of my Gig also. Not deflating, just not doing well, and not eating well either.

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope it pulls through for you. Do you direct feed yours frequently? Is this a new addition?

[OrionN]

It is my purple Gig. I had him for over 1 year. He was doing great but he and the yellow one crowned. I leave them alone thinking that he would just move. Anyway, he gradually just stop eatting, then move away. He is doing better but certainly not even near normal. Will see how he does in a few months. The other Gigantea (4 in the same tank, are all doing well, and the Magnifica in that tank is fine. Another Haddoni in the same system, but not the same tank, is doing fine. All the corals are doing well and growing well.

[taylor t]

FTS tonight.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps97393908.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps97393908.jpeg.html)



http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsf52710b0.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsf52710b0.jpeg.html)

I would call this an amazing recovery. I wrote this guy off a couple months ago. Not anymore!

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa1940502.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa1940502.jpeg.html)



http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps98edfc0a.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps98edfc0a.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

Note to self:

Feeding has only been 3-4 times (started in the last 2 weeks only), 1x1" rods dipped in tank for 5 seconds before feeding fish in other tank. No direct feeding gigs anymore.

[flakey]

Well done !!!

[xtlosx]

What a recovery.... GREAT job!!!!!!

[OrionN]

Looking good. My purple Gigantea also doing better but till not normal yet. He have not start to eat yet. I post a picture in a few days

[taylor t]

Thanks guys! Yes Minh, we all like pics! :) Glad to hear it's doing better!

[ptr13]

Great Job Dave, the nemone whisperer. Looking good, wow they are back and better than ever.

[taylor t]

Thanks bud, but no magic here... just really lucky! Lucky you picked these guys! :) Thank you!

[ptr13]

you are welcome Dave, dont know why they are so rare now in midwest, there use to be ample supply of carpet gigs 10 to 15 years ago.

[worm5406]

Very nice come back. What size food are you feeding it now? and frequency?

[taylor t]

Thanks Worm! I don't really feed them directly, so a pic is worth a lot of words...


I take out a piece of original Rods frozen food. Actual size may vary, 1"or 2", I may be off a little... my gloms are a bit on the larger size...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps2c18c2e9.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps2c18c2e9.jpeg.html)

I dip it in the 75 gallon for a few seconds, to let a little bit thaw and fall. I just always did this for my white anemone crabs, I could see they strain the water column for crumbs, so I figured I was just feeding them.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps6103f851.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps6103f851.jpeg.html)

The majority of the food ends up here.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps79211e83.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps79211e83.jpeg.html)

This is what they look like today, and every day, all day, atleast the last month or so.... I hope it lasts... It's been a long road to get here!
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps40b4a670.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps40b4a670.jpeg.html)

Flow varies. I have (2) mp 40's. They go into night mode around 10pm. During the day, I usually run it on EITHER:

1) The red setting, at maybe 30-35%. This ramps up to that speed, then runs for (I have set) around 2-3 minutes. Then reduces quickly to feed mode/super slow, for 2-3 minutes. Kind of like a "surge" flow, simulating a quick ramp up/blast, then a very calm. They really puff up for the calm part. They seem to like and look the best on this setting.

OR:
2) I run it on the yellow setting, I think it's reef crest, at the same 30%. Sometimes I change it every few days. I usually switch between these two only. BUT, once in a while, I blast the tank with 100% high speed to really mix it up and stir it up for a couple minutes, tops. My thoughts are to clean out the rocks.

[taylor t]

I added clowns a few days ago. I had these clowns in my sump for over a year. Used to be a friends pair, but he got out and I inherited them. When I released them, literally, in 2 seconds they darted into the green gig and haven't left it.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps7c63505e.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps7c63505e.jpeg.html)

One blue
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa8d8c44b.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa8d8c44b.jpeg.html)

Other blue
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1ea81625.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1ea81625.jpeg.html)

And the happy couple. I think the male should have been culled, but I got it maybe 4-5 years ago, a friend had them for a few years, and now I've got them back.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps6b826f26.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps6b826f26.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps9868a6b1.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps9868a6b1.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa02c13c8.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa02c13c8.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps044f7a9d.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps044f7a9d.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1264ee38.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1264ee38.jpeg.html)

[ptr13]

looking good Dave, nice addition with the clowns!!

[OrionN]

I am so glad that your Blue recovered. I got two purple and you got two blue. Maybe one of these day we trade.

If you don't want the algae in your tank, a foxface will make short work of them. My one spot foxface just make short work of all the tougher algae.

[adtravels]

Good work really enjoyed reading this from the beginning and nice to see a recovery instead of the predictable anemone death. I have a new tank being set up for a gigantea as we speak, I have had great success with them one in the past and kept it for 2 years before passing it to another reefer. It was the purple one in my avatar.

[taylor t]

looking good Dave, nice addition with the clowns!!
Thanks. If it wasn't for my good friend Peter, this thread wouldn't be here. :) Thanks bud!



I am so glad that your Blue recovered. I got two purple and you got two blue. Maybe one of these day we trade.

If you don't want the algae in your tank, a foxface will make short work of them. My one spot foxface just make short work of all the tougher algae.
Thanks. I really thought the one blue was a goner. I'm still shocked to go back and look at what it was and what it's turned into. It has done amazingly well where it is. Very low flow, I think about adding more flow, but things are going so well I don't want to rock the boat. Turning up flow will mess up the current patterns that are working well right now. Another thing for me to figure out.
Too bad you don't live closer. I would take you up on a trade.

I though about the foxface, but I think I'm only going to do 2 clowns for now. Time will tell, IF i saw a small one that was a good price I may bite. I like the idea of keeping the bioload down, (ha ha, 3 large waste producers aren't enough :) who am I kidding!) so probably not.
I'm working on my way towards a bare bottom. At this rate, a year or two... Sometimes with water changes, I suck out the top layer of zoa's, algae, and sand. It's not really hard to suck the algae off the rocks with water changes, comes off pretty easy, and the look doesn't bother me or the nems. I've noticed some of the really thick turf algae starting to grow. I have other live rock I may swap out with, but I'm taking things really slow. The system is very stable right now, with minimal time to maintain, so I don't want to make any fast changes.

Good work really enjoyed reading this from the beginning and nice to see a recovery instead of the predictable anemone death. I have a new tank being set up for a gigantea as we speak, I have had great success with them one in the past and kept it for 2 years before passing it to another reefer. It was the purple one in my avatar.

Thanks. I remember your gig, and couldn't believe you sold it. It was very dark from what I remember seeing, looked very healthy. One of the nicer ones I remembered. I think mine are lighter colored because of the DIY LED's I use. Either that, or lack of direct feeding. Who knows why, but I like them all!
I'm looking forward to seeing your gig thread in the future, along with a few others. :)

[adtravels]

I used a 400 watt reeflux 12k on coralvue non dimmable ballasts, think that was the reason for the colour, I fed it a piece of shrimp once a week or so and had two mp-40w on a 2 foot cube, overkill!

Here was mine

I love your green gig, i have not seen one around here for a while but i could get a blue.

Cheers, keep up the good work.

[taylor t]

Thank you adtravels. I remember those details from your thread/set up. That one I'll remember. :)



Here's a couple pics with no flash. I think yesterday's looks too washed out. Here is today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps3e9206d4.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps3e9206d4.jpeg.html)

Hard to show, but brilliant like the kryptonite candy cane in color. With the blue LED's, it's very eye catching at night.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zpsa734bdc4.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zpsa734bdc4.jpeg.html)

I

[taylor t]

OOps.. not I, but....

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps1571340f.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps1571340f.jpeg.html)

[worm5406]

Those do look very nice.

I can not wait until my blue one gets in.

[OrionN]

Worm,
Did you get a Blue Gig?

[Themoths_reef]

Blue gig after one week. Opened up then seemed to close up. All parameters solid. He has eaten shrimp and silversides. We'll see how he does...:sad2:

[worm5406]

Worm,
Did you get a Blue Gig?

No Still waiting on one to get in to a LFS near me. They have two feelers out.

Why?? You have a lead for me?

[taylor t]

No flash, pretty close to real colors. Just a little darker in real life, but not much.
Today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps50b612d2.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps50b612d2.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps02d4ac3b.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps02d4ac3b.jpg.html)


http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7b5b033e.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7b5b033e.jpg.html)

[worm5406]

UUGH... now that is just making me want to change things more and more.

[taylor t]

Gosh, I've made some changes to the tank since I started this thread. Merry Christmas everyone! :)

FTS today. Full flow.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc6090334.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc6090334.jpg.html)

Individual shots with no flow, left to right:
original blue from thread start, one that when purchased was not cut:
(I only tagged them cut or not for progress info only, I DID NOT CUT THEM. I DON'T ADVISE TRYING TO CUT THEM, ODDS ARE AGAINST SUCCESS.)
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd4ed4863.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd4ed4863.jpg.html)

original blue from therad start, one that was cut when purchased:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfd1f59d8.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfd1f59d8.jpg.html)

Little (left) purple added at the beginning of this year:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps76ace615.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps76ace615.jpg.html)

lower blue added beginning of this year:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps3ff89b99.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps3ff89b99.jpg.html)

Right purple added beginning of this year:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsa62b6fda.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsa62b6fda.jpg.html)

Green (yellow) was added shortly after the original blues. Almost 2 years now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbab97520.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbab97520.jpg.html)

Both purples and one blue had evidence of being cut either prior to collection, or through the collection chain. All 3 have mouths centered now, no sign of a cut is present that I can tell, but limited looking under skirt on my part. All 3 react normal and eat when (rarely) fed. They seem to love cheap daylight LED lamps (using clip on sockets) from the home center, 5500K. With the added light, the tents seem to have really compacted tightly together on the disk. My goal during waterchanges (5-20 gallons at a time, depending), is to remove any and all possible algae I can. Seems to be working well.

[taylor t]

Maybe this FTS is a little less over exposed.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps0bba8ca9.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps0bba8ca9.jpg.html)

[OrionN]

Now that I have a green Gigantea I can see how you have this color yellow sometime and green at other times. What a nice collection of Giganteas

[taylor t]

Thanks Minh. It took a lot of learning, work, and mistakes to get here. :)

My next goal is to figure out why these won't stick. I think it's because flow is too much for them to settle out.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg.html)
..and it's not a tentacle...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5a3a522e.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5a3a522e.jpg.html)

[geckoejon]

Thanks Minh. It took a lot of learning, work, and mistakes to get here. :)

My next goal is to figure out why these won't stick. I think it's because flow is too much for them to settle out.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg.html)
..and it's not a tentacle...

do you think that is an offspring from one of the gigs?

what do you mean by some of your gigs showing signs of being "cut"? do you mean damage in collection or cut in half in an attempt to reproduce them?

beautiful gigs! i'm looking for a green and purple myself...

[taylor t]

do you think that is an offspring from one of the gigs?

what do you mean by some of your gigs showing signs of being "cut"? do you mean damage in collection or cut in half in an attempt to reproduce them?

beautiful gigs! i'm looking for a green and purple myself...



Yes, I've found purple and green little ones, they are tiny. My camera won't focus that small. That was the first one I found attached to poop. I tried to get them to plant themselves but they won't grab. I tried moving them to the sump of my other tank, but they wont' grab there either. I've also found baby clear ones, but those are aptasia. They look different. When low flow, baby aptasia grab really fast and easy. I'm trying to think of a way to change my set-up, I'd like to take the overflows to a longer tank, bare bottom, with a light just to shine on the bottom on all the "detrious", then have that tank overflow into the real sump. Maybe they would settle out in a longer low flow tank? Still thinking how I can do this, I'm space challenged. I'm 100% sure I have male and female, I've come down in the morning to find my skimmer overflowing, the night after a cleaning. Who is who, I don't know. I've found floating tiny ones. NO doubt in my mind. They won't attach, only guessing they need still water for a time.

What I mean by cut, some PERSON, I believe, cut them with a knife. Seems like most of the ones people buy that show signs that they were cut, don't live, from what I've read. Could be the reefer, could be the shipping, could be a fluke, who knows why. So far, all the ones I've got that showed evidence of a cut, have lived, and seem quite strong. Another reefer on here accidentally cut his blue gig in half in a transfer when a rock fell on it. Now he has two, healthy, to this day. I think it's been a couple years now. While I've seen enough evidence to show a cut gig can survive, I'm not willing to try it.


Thanks! Good luck in your search. :)

[taylor t]

I copied a PM I answered, I thought I wrote all this before, but here is again, just what my system is made up of:




Thanks! It's a self-drilled 75 glass tank, 3 overflows (one on opposite end incase nem walks and clogs on one end, water keeps moving). (2) T5 ATI special 54 watt lamps in rear, 2" off watter. Reefledlights.com LED DIY, made up with XRE, XPE, XPG, maybe 5 years old?. I think there's 68 LED diodes on each side, (2)18" heatsinks, one may be 22" long, don't remember. Each gig gets a home depot 5500K daylight LED Phillyps spot light (clamp on rim of front tank) I think 12 hours of light a day, 8 hours of full/blasting light. There is a TON of light on this tank. (2) MP40 set at reef crest on high, no change at night. Very turbulent, sand moves sometimes. Special grade reef sand, I've changed sections out at a time. depth changes between 1" in the middle, to 3-4" on ends/behind rocks. Algae gets sucked out with water changes, as much as I can. Just regular reef crystal salt. 5-20 gallons at a time, sometimes a couple times a week, sometimes life is busy and they don't get a change for a few weeks. There's about 8 different types of algae, bubble, hair, (all the pests), grape, some red type that grows in clumps, calerpa, I don't know the rest. 30 gallon long AGA tank for a sump, so basic. Water overflows to sump tank, skimmer, return pump. NO light in sump, no filter sock, just collecting detrious that gets sucked out every few months, and sponges on the walls. 2 part dosing seachem fusion or b-ionic, with timers and dosing pumps. Top off RO water ATO. I live on a well, only use RO, not DI. Front left corner of tank leaks, has for years. Real nice, huh? salinity varies from 1.026-1.028 if I don't pay attention sometimes it creeps a little high. Temp varies, as low as 80, as high as 86 I've seen. 82 as I type. From what I've seen, temp doesn't seem to bother them, gigs in 210 are at 79 and look great. They do look extra puffy when it gets on the warmer side. Rarely feed rod's food, poor clowns. The clowns eat stuff off the walls I've seen, they're fine. I feed maybe a couple times a week lately. I try feeding every day, but sometimes/most times doesn't work out. Lugols iodine is added, maybe a drop or two a couple times a week, if I remember. Only parameter I try to keep on top of is KH, the most fluctuating. I manually add mag, but don't know what level it is, only when manually dump the KH part, it looks different when it's low, like a different snow storm. I aim for KH9-10 cal 400-440 mag I don't accurately know right now, but 1350-1400 I'm guessing. I use both kent mag (the cloudy stuff) and B-ionic mag.

I DON'T KNOW IT ALL. I'm still learning. This is what I've been doing and seems to be working well. There's things others may do differently and be successful.

[OrionN]

I seem to remember that one of the females released young anemones when you first added to the tank. Did you have other spawns resulting in babies but not able to get them attached?

[taylor t]

I seem to remember that one of the females released young anemones when you first added to the tank. Did you have other spawns resulting in babies but not able to get them attached?

Yes, several times. I'm sure of what I saw. I don't see many at a time, only a few at a time, on a few separate occasions. They are small, and won't attach. I turn my pumps off, and suck them up in the 1/4" feeding tube I use for food, and try to plop them down in a low flow area. They won't grab, they just float away. That's what has me thinking they need a low flow area to settle, when I turn the pumps back on, they float away. My whole tank is very high flow. I haven't looked often, it takes time to look for them in all the loose stuff floating in the tank. It only figures, the floating baby pest aptasia anemone's grab on right away. I think it's only a matter of time.

[OrionN]

I hope you get this work out. It would be great to raise Gigantea babies. If you have not try put them in a breeding basket, I would try this. Sprung mention of keeping Gigantea in baskets hang on the main tank.

[OrionN]

My Carpet just spawn the other day but it was the Haddoni not Gigantea. I need to feed the Gigantea more to see if I can get them into breeding condition. I got 4 Gigantea in the DT so I have 87.5% chance of having at least 1 male and 1 female in the group

[taylor t]

Doh! That's perfect! A baby cage from petsmart for baby guppies to hang on the rim of the DT. I don't know why I didn't think that! Here I'm trying to come up with a plumbing idea to catch all my overflow water. Thanks!

[OrionN]

Will see who got a baby to 1/2 inch first :)

[taylor t]

Will see who got a baby to 1/2 inch first :)

You bet, the race is on!!!

...I'm cheating, I've got 2 systems with 6 in each.... :beer: I'm housing Pete's now until spring... Trying to reorganize his basement a bit. :)

[geckoejon]

that is awesome that they are spawning for you! you have to be doing something right. is there anyway you can get a close up pic of one of the little ones? i saw something floating around my gig tank the other day. i figured it was some kind of little feather duster. maybe it was. would be nice to be able to id a gig offspring though.

have you tried a floating basket? maybe cover the bottom with a little rock rubble? they allow a little flow, but not much. it would keep it confined and maybe it would attach to the substrate.

how about a low flow tank? i have a frogfish tank that has low flow and no powerhead. i would be happy to try and even pay shipping and a couple extra bucks for a sprout :)

you all have me excited. i will keep an eye on mine for any signs of spawning. it would be awesome if we could get them to reproduce in captivity....

[stickleback]

Thanks Minh. It took a lot of learning, work, and mistakes to get here. :)

My next goal is to figure out why these won't stick. I think it's because flow is too much for them to settle out.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5f36d43a.jpg.html)
..and it's not a tentacle...

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5a3a522e.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5a3a522e.jpg.html)

I've had these appear from time to time. Not convinced they're anything to do with spawning Tbh. I came to the conclusion it was just lost tentacles most likely bitten off my my clowns. Didn't stop me hoping I was wrong though!!!

[taylor t]

I may be wrong thinking that all the glowing specs are babies, I know that. (still hoping!) The purple ones were rice grain size, mushroom looking. Wife confirmed spitting image of the big ones. The green ones are tiny tiny. That's ok, I'm going to try to give it a go anyways. While I was out today, I picked up a breeder net to hang on the side of the tank. I'm also wanting to get one if these, so I can take a picture that's in focus to prove what I'm seeing. Looking at this:

Anyone have any input on them?
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Handheld-Digital-Microscope-Pro/dp/B00CMJ1I08/ref=lp_2742273011_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1419727091&sr=1-3

Or one like this?:
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-44341-Digital-Microscope-Black/dp/B00B4DBWP4/ref=lp_2742273011_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1419727091&sr=1-6
I think it would be easier to use the second one. Anyone else have anything to magnify pictures with that is easy to use that they like, that doesn't cost hundreds or thousands?

I-phone doesn't cut it. The hard part is catching them with the current on, turning it off, then trying to find it again. That's why I was trying to think of a way to strain the overflows into a slow flow tank before the sump, so I'm not chasing one little spec. I'd like to catch ALL the specs. The purple doesn't glow with actinics like the green. I'm still going to find some small ones and try the breeding net.

... I like a challenge... challenge accepted... :)

[taylor t]

Stickleback, how many did you have in your system, for how long? One thing in my favor is such a small volume of water to hunt with.

[taylor t]

Give me some time. I just figured out I can use a magnifying glass with my Iphone. :) These are baby aptasia I just found now, not what I'm talking about. Give me time, I'm telling you, I know what I saw... The others looked like mushrooms.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfde7cf10.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfde7cf10.jpg.html)
As I was hunting, I wondered, is the force from my props in the MP40's, would a baby gig even survive the props and turbulence from going through them? I still think I need to temp pipe my overflows out of the current sump, into a 20 long (temporarily) to let all the overflow water settle in a calm area. Guppy breeder screws with the water flow. I'm going to try to figure this out.

[mrbnx]

I wanna mess with a baby! I love experimenting :)

[stickleback]

Stickleback, how many did you have in your system, for how long? One thing in my favor is such a small volume of water to hunt with.

Prob no more than three at any one time. I only ever see the florescent green ones as they are easier to spot a guess! I'd try to take pictures of them just in case they were babies. They'd appear to settle somewhere but they would always be gone by the next day.

I'm really hoping yours are different to what I've experienced. maybe I should try to collect them next time.

Keep us updated

[geckoejon]

have you all read this article? they state...

"These juveniles are then egested from the mouth where they then drift in the current till they settle onto the substratum (L. Sharon, pers. comm., 1999). We were lucky to receive four of these juveniles in October 1999 from a coral farm in Belau (Palau); two green ones and two brown ones with an average oral disc diameter of approximately 4 cm (1.6 inches)"

those are much larger then the ones you have found. thoughts?

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/aafeature2

[OrionN]

I read it. I think the farm raised them to that size and gave or sold to Sprung. Baby Gigantea cannot start out at 4 cm

[worm5406]

Updates?

[Bristle_Worm]

Hmm, I need a baby gigantea!

[Bristle_Worm]

I read it. I think the farm raised them to that size and gave or sold to Sprung. Baby Gigantea cannot start out at 4 cm

Interesting read to say the least. Are you saying that you believe they start out smaller or larger. Either way, I want to know more about this farm and how they came into contact with baby Gigantea. What were all the conditions that influenced these Gigantea's to release babies?

[taylor t]

Updates?

Not on the baby front yet. I will post pics when I find one. I tried the baby hang in tank net/breeder. The next day, it had 4" algae strings flying off it. By day 2, it was so covered in algae, there is no water flow through it. That option is out. Messed with the tank flow too much too. I need to figure how to use my overflows to a lower flow tank to let all the sediment, and hopefully baby's settle there, then dump it to the real sump. Flow is too strong for anything small to settle anywhere good for light. Algae grows so fast in this tank, it's a battle to keep it clean.
This will take some time to figure out, but I'm sure I have the ingredients for it now. I have other priorities right now... I've spent more time lately trying to keep Pete's gigs happy. Those gigs, initially, seemed to not like the flow they are supposed to have. I had trouble making them happy initially. Trying to make 5 new additions happy all at once, without messing up the mertens or existing gig flow was a challenge. I'll post some pics in a few.

[taylor t]

75 gig tank today.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps4186d8f1.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps4186d8f1.jpg.html)

Here's the challenge of chasing tiny floaters in a high flow tank. Not pretty, but it works well. Not easy access to the water surface, but they get pounded by light. I finally got my doors on last weekend, after months of no doors. I cut my front in half so instead of a piano hinge on the top (which I dropped onto the tank, and feared a crack) I have 2 doors that hinge on the sides now.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg.html)

210 FTS I got home too late tonight, so the light is off with the mertens.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsae49418c.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsae49418c.jpg.html)

Side view as you enter the room. The little brown make quite a trip, but finally settled on the left (under) big blue.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc93e32ee.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsc93e32ee.jpg.html)

Side view of the purples.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf2964b7d.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf2964b7d.jpg.html)

Front view of the gigs left of mertens.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscfc7d188.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscfc7d188.jpg.html)

Pete's green is the one closer to the back of the tank.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps59403729.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps59403729.jpg.html)

Planning on building Pete another gig system later in the year, if he has the energy, and if we can both find the time...

[OrionN]

Not on the baby front yet. I will post pics when I find one. I tried the baby hang in tank net/breeder. The next day, it had 4" algae strings flying off it. By day 2, it was so covered in algae, there is no water flow through it. That option is out. Messed with the tank flow too much too. I need to figure how to use my overflows to a lower flow tank to let all the sediment, and hopefully baby's settle there, then dump it to the real sump. Flow is too strong for anything small to settle anywhere good for light. Algae grows so fast in this tank, it's a battle to keep it clean.
This will take some time to figure out, but I'm sure I have the ingredients for it now. I have other priorities right now... I've spent more time lately trying to keep Pete's gigs happy. Those gigs, initially, seemed to not like the flow they are supposed to have. I had trouble making them happy initially. Trying to make 5 new additions happy all at once, without messing up the mertens or existing gig flow was a challenge. I'll post some pics in a few.
I would put it in the breeder net but have a small pump pump water into it so that there is new water and circulation in the net and it cannot flow out due to the mesh.
Try this and let us know.

[stl.reefer]

Just read through this whole thread for the first time and I must say that was one heck of a anemone recovery! Your tank looks awesome, nice job op!

[OrionN]

Interesting read to say the least. Are you saying that you believe they start out smaller or larger. Either way, I want to know more about this farm and how they came into contact with baby Gigantea. What were all the conditions that influenced these Gigantea's to release babies?
It is not that I ignored you. I just don't know the answer to those questions. Reading this aarticle, my impression is that they got the 4 baby Gigantea's when they are about 4 cm. Of course they started smaller than that, growing to 4 cm then was sold/given to Sprung.

[taylor t]

I would put it in the breeder net but have a small pump pump water into it so that there is new water and circulation in the net and it cannot flow out due to the mesh.
Try this and let us know.
Not that easy. Time/space is a problem. Breeder net hanging inside is not the right way to go, IMO. I'm a control freak, I need better control than a hanging net. I'm moving my shop space in the next month, hoping to get a smaller desk next to the tank. That will give me space for a settlement tank next to it. I don't have the time to sit in front and hunt right now. I need to capture all the water of the overflows while I'm gone, this will be my best chances.

Just read through this whole thread for the first time and I must say that was one heck of a anemone recovery! Your tank looks awesome, nice job op!
Thanks!



Here are some pics. The algae in this tank grows so fast, it's frustrating.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps74f2d1b9.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps74f2d1b9.jpg.html)
Here's a couple weeks of not cleaning.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps42bf7633.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps42bf7633.jpg.html)

The good side, the nems seem super happy, seems the dirtier the better. I don't quite get it, but ok... Left to right:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2b61b149.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2b61b149.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf8347933.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf8347933.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps9b6e33c3.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps9b6e33c3.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbedd4e2a.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbedd4e2a.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps68733943.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps68733943.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd1794482.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsd1794482.jpg.html)

[OrionN]

When you house got broken into this weekend and all your anemones got stolen, it not me OK. :)
Nice

[OrionN]

Get a reasonable size fox face in there. It will go a long way in keeping your tank free of algae

[taylor t]

When you house got broken into this weekend and all your anemones got stolen, it not me OK. :)
Nice
Sounds good... while you're here, if you wouldn't mind cleaning the tanks/skimmers/top offs/feed the fish,dogs,chickens... in fact, I'll leave you a few lists! :lol:

Get a reasonable size fox face in there. It will go a long way in keeping your tank free of algae
Hmm... I'll think about that. There's an awful lot of carpet in there. One wrong move, it's a goner.

[OrionN]

My 40 gal breeder frag tank, was spotless until I remove the foxface to the main tank. Now the main tank is spotless and the frag tank is like this. It is connect to the main system. Nutrient level is low link in the main system. I am going to get a new small fox face

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=304127&stc=1&d=1421424488

[taylor t]

Still don't have enough time to wipe my glass...
FTS today, before I cleaned the front for the first time this week.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmvjy0po4.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsmvjy0po4.jpg.html)

I used to care...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxdlgh8tz.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxdlgh8tz.jpg.html)

Everything in the tank bubbles and has crud growing all over. No time anymore...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsv0dbnxmk.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsv0dbnxmk.jpg.html)

But I clean the glass and they all still look happy. I had to add a power head for flow in the back. I could see those on that side were craving flow.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscehiuk1r.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscehiuk1r.jpg.html)

Through dirty glass.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvb2r5mag.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvb2r5mag.jpg.html)

clean glass.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaqxcptvn.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaqxcptvn.jpg.html)

[taylor t]

Minh, I still haven't had time to find a foxface for my tank. I think I'm going to do that, someday, sounds like the best solution.

[ptr13]

Nice updates Dave, good to see they are all doing well. Its what I call Gig heaven :)

[taylor t]

Nice updates Dave, good to see they are all doing well. Its what I call Gig heaven :)

Thanks Pete! Good to see you around still. Here's a little update on your last 5...
The last green you got, looked "bleached yellow",well, last month deflated 2 days in a row. No others were showing stress. That last green you got, was the only one in the group that did not go through cipro treatment. At the time, I didn't have the time or ability to treat, so it was pulled, and re-homed to another local reefer. He didn't treat it, and it's doing very well, in a sps dominated system, with a competent reefer with experience. Sorry bud, it was either rehome, or to the curb, couldn't treat at the time, and 2 days in a row deflate, in my book = garbage or treat... better to lose one as opposed to 6. The rest are doing great (my gut thinks because all were cipro treated, except that one).
Here's robbie's old green (super strong now) in the 210:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoegrkwbr.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoegrkwbr.jpg.html)

Here's your "Goliath" blue in the 210, with the little brown:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5oivfuwq.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5oivfuwq.jpg.html)

Here's the 2 purples in the 210:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsp5et0de5.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsp5et0de5.jpg.html)

Here's the original blues this thread was started with, in the 75:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7go9zoau.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7go9zoau.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqxq9kded.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqxq9kded.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsks4vqpof.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsks4vqpof.jpg.html)

Here's the last blue in the 75, only had a year now:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoyparib2.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoyparib2.jpg.html)

[taylor t]

I don't know if you can tell, but the original 2 blues in the 75, they have started to turn to a teal green/blue. Not the rich blue they used to be. I'm wondering if being housed with the green, the color has jumped to the blues making them have both blue and green color. Much more noticeable in person. Not the same color they had a couple years ago. We will see in another year if the other 2 blues go to a teal also.

[bsme]

Great pictures. Just read the part about floaties/babies. That's pretty impressive.

[asudavew]

Very pretty Taylor !

I hope to be able to keep a gig like any of yours on of these days.

No luck so far.

[Tkieu78]

What would you consider best placement for a gig? Or do they have a mind of their own and settle where they desire?

[taylor t]

Great pictures. Just read the part about floaties/babies. That's pretty impressive.
Thanks, but not really impressive. I think there's too much flow, and algae/bacteria growth for little ones to settle out, and not get choked out. I put 3 frags on rock rubble to grow out on the sand, in a couple days, it was a large glob of algae you couldn't see the rock. Killed/smothered the frags. My guess, there won't be baby gigs anytime soon for anyone, unless they design their overflows to to dump into larger area shallow low flow settle out tanks. In my tanks, there's too much crud/algae/cyno that gets sucked up with water changes, no where for them to settle safely, and flow is too high.

Very pretty Taylor !

I hope to be able to keep a gig like any of yours on of these days.

No luck so far.
Thanks! Gigs seem to be available a lot more than they used to. I'm sure you'll be able to find them.

What would you consider best placement for a gig? Or do they have a mind of their own and settle where they desire?
Most of mine are still in the same place they were placed originally. For me, gigs never seem to move to a "better" area on their own, unless healthy. If it's sick or weak, they typically just stay in one place, deflate, and melt/die in place. A couple have moved, but only re-positioned, not really moved. They seem to be happiest when their foot is in a hole or crevice between rocks, but still get good flow under their disk, and, on the top of their disk. Seems they like their disk supported on both sides, with their foot in a "V" of rock work, 2 or 3 rocks next to each other. If starting out, I would try making a triangle out of 3 same size rocks, and place the gig's foot in the center. If water quality,flow, and light are good, it should stay put. But, always expect them to move. The one time you don't expect them to move, they will. But typically, gigs don't move much.

[ptr13]

They look really good, goliath looks even better than before, I agree Dave, 2 more days of deflation is no good to me too but am glad everyones well. Really nice hues and colors! The brown has gotten bigger too, wow, very cool. And the two nems in 210 are beautiful, the purple ones, wow.

[BonsaiNut]

Yes, I've found purple and green little ones, they are tiny. My camera won't focus that small. That was the first one I found attached to poop. I tried to get them to plant themselves but they won't grab. I tried moving them to the sump of my other tank, but they wont' grab there either. I've also found baby clear ones, but those are aptasia. They look different. When low flow, baby aptasia grab really fast and easy. I'm trying to think of a way to change my set-up, I'd like to take the overflows to a longer tank, bare bottom, with a light just to shine on the bottom on all the "detrious", then have that tank overflow into the real sump. Maybe they would settle out in a longer low flow tank? Still thinking how I can do this, I'm space challenged. I'm 100% sure I have male and female, I've come down in the morning to find my skimmer overflowing, the night after a cleaning. Who is who, I don't know. I've found floating tiny ones. NO doubt in my mind. They won't attach, only guessing they need still water for a time.



Your idea of a settling tank is a good one. Consider a setup that includes water flow into / through macroalgae. The one guy who successfully raised these in an open system in the Pacific had the outflow of the parent tank draining into a raceway to the ocean that was filled with wiry macroalgae like steel wool. He could never see the spawning, but would find babies "trapped" in the macroalgae.

[taylor t]

http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.8B6E3A48-0751-4526-A0F9-394DCE952349_zpsrz7kuxdr.mp4


http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.D5E89723-CA32-4048-9DD0-FF8361CCA8A2_zpsetu3yfwm.mp4

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvqcgpvoq.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvqcgpvoq.jpeg.html)


http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps493tp7fj.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps493tp7fj.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszwx90ykq.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszwx90ykq.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnaem9pzy.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnaem9pzy.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqe7gpexy.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqe7gpexy.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspm2tztvs.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspm2tztvs.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsu7q1qcyr.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsu7q1qcyr.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsby29ka1i.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsby29ka1i.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscuynjrie.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscuynjrie.jpeg.html)

[maxxII]

Truly stunning.

I know earlier this year you were looking at selling off some of your anemones. I'm hoping this has changed and you've decided to keep them all.

They're doing very well in your care.

[taylor t]

Truly stunning.

I know earlier this year you were looking at selling off some of your anemones. I'm hoping this has changed and you've decided to keep them all.

They're doing very well in your care.

Thanks. Yes, decided to keep my anemones. Got burnt for a while, but spending time getting them back looking healthy kind of kick started the flame again. Too many procrastinators with purchasing. That, and my wife telling me I still need to stay in the hobby. Changed my mind now. But, thanks!

The last pic of the blues in the corner, side tank shot, my closest blue got sucked into my mp40 a couple months ago and was bald on quite an area. You can see it's still a little short on the edges, but growing back to where you can't really tell anymore.

[Pinkskunk]

Very nice. Can you please tell us your lighting on these nems again?

[Pinkskunk]

is this the same light setup right now?

http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg.html

[maxxII]

Glad you decided to keep them Taylor.....you've put alot of effort into their care and it shows.

I wont be giving up my H.magnifica anemones either....

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg.html)
is this the same light setup right now?

http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7d6328f7.jpg.html

Thanks!
Yes, basically the same, but added another. Big dollar Home Depot clamp on specials. Little changed. Current pic.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfv8fytte.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfv8fytte.jpeg.html)
I'm in the process on figuring out what to do with my DIY LED. They look like they're at about 1/2 power of what they used to be. 6-8 years old I think, not sure, but they're spent. They need replacing. I think I'm going to use reefledlights.com again. Still in the planning stages of replacement. Working on the tank is a hassle, the lights need to change.





Glad you decided to keep them Taylor.....you've put alot of effort into their care and it shows.

I wont be giving up my H.magnifica anemones either....

Thanks! Early on, tons of time and effort. Once they're stabilized and acclimated, they're pretty durable. Both my tanks have put up with pretty horrible house keeping the last year. The 210 is still struggling to recover, just needs more time, hard to find. I feel the same as you and your mag, with my mertens.

[maxxII]

Was just going to ask you about the Mertens....Glad you still have it.


Those are an awesome anemone, but need space and dedicated and knowledgeable aquarists to keep them.

Based on what I've seen, you've got that covered.

I just wish that healthy S.gigantea anemones were more common here in St Louis.

The only healthy one I've seen was at a local hobbyist's house, and he stated he just ordered a blue carpet from the LFS and that is what they got him....acclimation was dump the bag in the tank.

:headwalls:

[taylor t]

Thanks maxxII.

As I was sitting here looking at it I remembered. I don't think I posted this, in this thread. Here's one for the log book. This is what it looked like when I got it.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscd0d0cc5.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscd0d0cc5.jpg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscc586054.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscc586054.jpg.html)

Then after cipro. It's the one on the left.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6f3eac51.jpg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6f3eac51.jpg.html)

Here it is today. One would never guess it was once only half an anemone.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsp8kanctr.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsp8kanctr.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

Here's a few more from tonight.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23o4v4vb.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps23o4v4vb.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsabbn7ypc.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsabbn7ypc.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsu2fckzko.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsu2fckzko.jpeg.html)

I just moved this one right before Christmas from the 210 to the 75. Pete had it for a year before I got it. I've had it going on 9 months now? Maybe 2.5 inches if it really stretches. It was brown, but the last few months, it's started glowing green with actinics, but doesn't look green with daylights on, yet... Will be interesting to see what it colors to in the next year.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps3odqb4ek.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps3odqb4ek.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshabboyck.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshabboyck.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5yxaqti1.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5yxaqti1.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsy3rt6ymb.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsy3rt6ymb.jpeg.html)

[CoralsAddiction]

Love that jet black color on your clown. How long have you had it for? Nice anemones too.

[taylor t]

Thanks! Got it from a reefer in the area almost 2 years ago. I traded 3 breeding chocolate clowns for some babies. Wow, looking back at the photo's, I've had the little gig over a year already.
Here's the group of babies when I got them. It's the one with the most white coloring in the group. It should have been culled. It's deformed, but the deformed nose has grown out a little as it's aged. It originally looked like someone punched it in the nose. I would have never picked it to bring home, but now it's grown on me and I like it (her). She doesn't look as bad as she did when she was smaller.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszh5vufoh.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszh5vufoh.png.html)
It was so severely deformed when smaller, it's the condition of clown that starts fights on forums for even keeping alive, but looks ok as it's gotten older now. Nice colors though. Thanks CoralsAddiction.

The photo represents it correctly too, it was a stumpy, with a punched in nose. Horrible swimmer. Not so stumpy now that it's older though. IMO, It really has grown into a nice clown the past year.

[CoralsAddiction]

I completely understand what you mean by the clown looking better as she grew older. One breeder I talked to believes that unless a clown has obvious severe deformities it could take a year before a culling decision can or should be made. Your clown is a good example as to why some clowns are worthy of keeping around despite some imperfections. Great story.

[taylor t]

It used to have nice orange on it's tail and fins. It's almost solid black now. Here's the last tinge of color on it's tail.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszygdzoal.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszygdzoal.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsrgntcoh8.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsrgntcoh8.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7xzohk72.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps7xzohk72.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshks4sorc.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshks4sorc.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsj4whwugh.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsj4whwugh.jpeg.html)

I'll see if I can find some good pics of when it was small. It was really absurd looking.

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsipi6gtr9.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsipi6gtr9.png.html)
If I find a better one I'll post it later.

[CoralsAddiction]

I had an all black clown like that too with just an orange face and white bars. She jumped.
http://i.imgur.com/rprdws8.jpg

[taylor t]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscqjm6ind.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscqjm6ind.png.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaywwp1bu.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaywwp1bu.png.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfcvddwhj.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfcvddwhj.png.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsodzii7b7.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsodzii7b7.png.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaumd8peg.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsaumd8peg.png.html)

I don't think the pics capture how bad it really was. It was a stump of a juvi.

[taylor t]

Yup, that's it. But after having them for so long, it would suck to loose it from jumping. She's grown on me.

[taylor t]

Well, here's the original 2 blues the thread was started on. Both in this shot.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse38rupa0.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpse38rupa0.jpeg.html)

Maybe the secret to robust gig health is iron,
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb3jxvfec.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsb3jxvfec.jpeg.html)
What is frustrating, I need to buy a new mp40 wet side every 6 months. This sucks.

[OrionN]

Are you using appropriate setting on the spacer for your glass? I run mine continuously now for a few year, no problem.

[taylor t]

Are you using appropriate setting on the spacer for your glass? I run mine continuously now for a few year, no problem.

Yes sir. I've got the plastic adjustment on the dry side set to the right thickness. I think this is the 4th wet side replacement in a year. I'm thinking of replacing with tunze controllable. Seems ridiculous I know. Frustrating to me.

[OrionN]

Send it back to EcoTech. The will take care of it for you. I had problem with my MP60 that I bough used and they took care of the problem for me. IMO, their service is second to none

[taylor t]

I'll try. Thanks... The dry side is a few years old. I'm not holding my breath...I spent the day driving to get flow back in my tank.... to buy a replacement.... If they find favor on me, I'll report back. I'm not anticipating any favor, I typically get shafted....I'll contact them tomorrow.... To be continued...

[maxxII]

I've been very impressed with Eco-Tech's CS in the past, I'd be surprised if you wound up differently.

As far as the Tunze goes....I just switched over to MP40QD's from Tunze Stream 6105's. Admittedly, I have not started using the MP40's yet, but the Tunzes have been disappointing to me overall since they are not lasting as long as I'd like for something costing that much. I had five 6105's and of them, 3 went bad in less than 4 years. After contacting Tunze, I was told I could buy new motor blocks for about $285 and new 6105 costing $385....

I dont expect things to last forever, but I do expect a $400 pump to last longer than 4 years when properly maintained.

Because of that, I went to the MP40's. Hopefully, they last longer.

Your gig's look great as always....I like your stumpy onyx/picasso as well.

[taylor t]

Thanks Nick!

Well, Echo-Tech's CS is really top notch. They sent me a new wet side no charge. Thanks for the suggestion Minh.

I changed all my lights the past 2 weeks from these DIY 8 years old:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszwudqkdo.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszwudqkdo.jpeg.html)

To these:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsx4vg4wf8.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsx4vg4wf8.jpeg.html)
Sirius XTC
https://reefledlights.com/shop/cri-reef-genesis-3/

I also bought a par meter. Here's what my green gig in the 75 was getting with my old light set up.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvjblnihg.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvjblnihg.jpeg.html)

Here's the green gig in the 210:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnkbpw24d.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsnkbpw24d.jpeg.html)

Par readings on my gigs in the 75 (old lights) as follows:
with/without daylight spots
2 blues were at 600-1600
purple 8-900
blue 600-1600
green outer skirt 5-900, spots in center 2300
purple 850-950
little green 450

Here's the work in progress:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsert7yygg.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsert7yygg.jpeg.html)

Here's no daylight spots, XTC light only:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfc1ipj9s.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfc1ipj9s.jpeg.html)
Yes I know, it's really red heavy. I never had multiple controllable colors in my DIY LED kits, I'm really enjoying seeing different colors now. Don't worry, I'll get it under control in the next year! Until then I'm going to enjoy playing with them. I like how it's always got light in my tanks now, I can always see, dim, but can still see.

Same, little green:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps4icnlv4n.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps4icnlv4n.jpeg.html)

Here's daylight spots on little green. I'm pretty sure this little brown from Pete, I'm guessing it will turn all green in the next year.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpss9il4hqr.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpss9il4hqr.jpeg.html)

I really like the new lights. It's got a moon setting that mimics reality. Full moon outside, full moon in my tank. New moon, etc. It needs the correct date and time programmed. Fans are controllable, I can increase them until I see a temp I like, I keep it at 94 degrees, auto overheat kicks in at 140ish I think though. Ramp rates, times, intensities are all controllable. Easy to use, I'm not a computer person, and I find it easy. I like how the XTC has a square wide spread, where the XR30 has a spot ant hill effect with intensity spread. XTC par out of box is 2500+ compare to XR30. Double, and wide spread, not cone spread. Time will tell, but my old DIY was reefledlights, and so is this fixture. I'm guessing I'll have these fixtures longer than that. They come with a 3 year warranty too. Well made fixtures.

[OrionN]

You, me and a few other people, will see who get them to spawn first.
I am also getting another Malu, up to 3 Malu. Chance are that I will have at least one of each sex for my Malu and my Gigantea. How I wan to get them to spawn.

[taylor t]

I still think, even when they spawn, the tanks they are kept in, when right, the flow is too high for the little ones to settle. They end up behind the rocks, or in the overflows. If one ends up grabbing, I would be surprised. I still think the right way is to have the tank's overflows overflow into a large area tank that can be cleaned, monitored, and transformed into an adjustable environment. Like a 40 breeder off to the side with baffles, then a wide slow moving settle out area that can be examined, and when babies are found, nurture them with light and flow, otherwise keep it dark and slow. They may need some time to attach, just a guess. Who knows. I'm not trying, just keeping them healthy for my own eye enjoyment. If someone else got another as a baby from a spawn without a settle out area, I'd be shocked. I don't see changing my tanks drains in my future, but I can see someone got some action the next day when the skimmer cup's overflowing. I really think a settle tank is needed.

[OrionN]

What I a going to do is to remove the mother to my frag tank or my QT tank. From my experience with Malu, I think the release of the baby is going to be around the 3rd night at night. I can turn off my MP10 in the QT or frag tank (or turn it really low). I also will put on a air stone. I will keep her there until she release the babies.

I really though about this, and was going to do this for my Malu. However, the tank cracked and I lost my female Malu. Now I am just going to feed them and wait and see. My Malu spawn in April. Will see if I can get a spawn this time around with mu Malu.
I got my Haddoni to spawn. I should not feed him too much. I will concentrate on my Gigantea and Malu now.

[taylor t]

Let us know how that turns out for you. I'd be concerned tank transfer may interfere with the process, the change in water, light, flow. Hope you are successful. I don't think I could transfer mine. They can retract like lightning when I bump the rock and deflate faster than a nascar. Not to mention their foot is well inside holes in the rocks that are like concrete to my sand, guessing from high mag.

[D-Nak]

I'm in the process of setting up my new gigantea dominated tank that will have a lot of macroalgae (codium, bryothamnion, halimeda, etc.) in it, as well as mangroves and turtle grass. The overflow then flows into a smaller tank that will also have a lot of macroalgae (gracilaria and chaeto). The goal is have this tank catch any babies that are released and hopefully have them settle.

The other trick is figuring out what they eat. IME, small gigantea have to eat, or they don't grow. Once I started feeding my small gigs, they really started growing. A couple others that I didn't feed slowly withered away and died. Since I am breeding clowns, I'll try everything from rotifers to copepods since I have them available. I also have lobster eggs and calanus on hand.

However, the reality is that although I'm hoping it happens, but there's nothing I'm trying to encourage it to happen. For example, my lights aren't synchronized to a moon cycle. I think it'll just be dumb luck of something does happen.

[ThRoewer]

My concern is that giganteas may need to have a certain minimum size before they spawn.

Minh, how do you know that your malu was a female and not both male and female? Is there any documentation that these anemones have actually different fixed sexes or are they both and just release sperm and eggs at different times?

[OrionN]

I have been paying attention to my anemones. There is no differences that I can see. My hope is to have fully mature known male and female and try our best to ID them from the differences in visible sperms and eggs though the column. It is really hard in Malu since the column is hidden in the sand. I was able to get my Malu to spawn. The female became pregnant with fertilized eggs so that was how I ID the sex of my Malu. Unfortunately the first patch of babies were chewed up by the filtering system. I was ready for the next patch then my tank (at the office) cracked over the weekend(those darn Finnex tank, or was it my stand :( ) and I lost my female Malu. I got a wet office Monday morning. The office stunk up for weeks until I ripped the carpet out and change it to laminated flooring.
I documented this in one of the thread here in Reef Central.
I have been looking at the Gigantea with bright light but so far not able to see any differences in the several Gigantea anemones that I have.
Last week my Haddoni spawned, so I know I have a male red Haddoni. Again with Haddoni, it is hard because we don't see their column.

[taylor t]

D-Nak you probably have the best chance of being the first one to nurture one if you can find one to nurture.

Does anyone have par readings on how strong their gigs light is that you would be willing to share?

I pulled the lighting back on my green/yellow down from 2300 to 1200 and it decided to go for a walk. I upped it back to 2200 with spots and seems happy again and has stayed put for now. It's been in the same place for 3 years until I messed with it's lights. Not many fixtures out there that can produce 2300 par hanging 12" above the water, to a water depth of 14", off the shelf. What I'm seeing, is the more light the happier. Does anyone else know what their par readings are?

[OrionN]

I can borrow a PAR meter from a friend. The happiest of my Gig is the one under most light and really high current. I will try to get PAR reading and report back

[taylor t]

Thanks Minh. I'd appreciate that.

Here's some pics of my tanks with new lights. It's been about 2 weeks now for both.
75 with SIRIUS XTC lights only:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfhlhb5dw.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfhlhb5dw.jpeg.html)

I need to keep the 5K spots on the gigs. They seem ok at 800 par, happy at 1600 par, and the happiest is the green at 2300 par. Not accomplished with out of the box fixtures, supplemental light is needed.
Here is the tank with the additional 5K spots to get the needed par:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscqvmeahs.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscqvmeahs.jpeg.html)

Here's the 210 XTC only:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshjvrskdy.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshjvrskdy.jpeg.html)
Here's 5K spots in addition:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsuewqkuxe.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsuewqkuxe.jpeg.html)

Mertens under XTC lights only. It appears as if it's starting to turn green again. It's getting a green tint to it again.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshjjykjmc.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpshjjykjmc.jpeg.html)

Here is the mertens under my old lights. All brown.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsipi6gtr9.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsipi6gtr9.png.html)

Here's about 8 years ago under MH. It was green.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso4sbl0hn.png (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso4sbl0hn.png.html)
Time will tell if it turns green again. It hasn't received UV in years.

[taylor t]

If anyone knows their par numbers on their gigs, I'd love to know them! Please post!

[OrionN]

I just bought a Apogee MQ-200. I will have to wait until the weekend after it arrived to check light. I have my tank under natural setting of the Radion so it is brightest at about noonish

[taylor t]

No one?

[OrionN]

No many of us have PAR meter, and not many of us have Gigantea. I think you are the only one with both right now. I will be the second one in a few weeks

[ThRoewer]

I have been paying attention to my anemones. There is no differences that I can see. My hope is to have fully mature known male and female and try our best to ID them from the differences in visible sperms and eggs though the column. It is really hard in Malu since the column is hidden in the sand. I was able to get my Malu to spawn. The female became pregnant with fertilized eggs so that was how I ID the sex of my Malu. Unfortunately the first patch of babies were chewed up by the filtering system. I was ready for the next patch then my tank (at the office) cracked over the weekend(those darn Finnex tank, or was it my stand :( ) and I lost my female Malu. I got a wet office Monday morning. The office stunk up for weeks until I ripped the carpet out and change it to laminated flooring.
I documented this in one of the thread here in Reef Central.
I have been looking at the Gigantea with bright light but so far not able to see any differences in the several Gigantea anemones that I have.
Last week my Haddoni spawned, so I know I have a male red Haddoni. Again with Haddoni, it is hard because we don't see their column.

The thing I wonder about is if they have district sexes or are both at the same time. It seems only sperm is released but eggs are fertilized internally, so being hermaphrodites could work just fine for these anemones. That only some at the time have fertilized eggs would also not fundamentally go against this.

[Vapour1ze]

Following

[brcb7tuner]

I had a friend come over with a apogee usb and I was only getting 75 par at my gig and 100 just below the surface. My mertens and haddoni were getting less then 50. This is with a 175w 20k, two 36" actinic t5 and a little blue and uv led, I have my lights high above the water at 18" and the bulbs are older. I thought my tank and sps were maxed out with this combo and don't plan on going any higher, I run my halide 12hrs a day and total 13. I don't know if the meter may be off, but he said he checked outside and was getting over 1200 and he gets a little over 200 on his tank. My gig has been happy for a year now and could move up a little if it wanted.

[OrionN]

My Apogee arrived yesterday. I took some measure today. My happiest Gig is a huge Gig. About 18 inches. Top part PAR at 550. Middle where the mouth is is about 490. Two other Gig at about 425. The 4th Gig at about 350. He is the smallest and slowest growth. I always feed him extra. Magnifica at 350 and Haddoni at 275

[OrionN]

Taylor t
I got 7 Radion 5 of which is G3 pro and 2 G2 pro over my 6 foot tank. My tank got really bright light. There got to be error in reading either your's or mine. Brighter light than this and my anemone going to burn.
???????

[OrionN]

My new Par Meter. Spend 15 min to make a Wand for it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=344200&stc=1&d=1457230752

[jmadison]

My concern is that giganteas may need to have a certain minimum size before they spawn.

Well Gents (and Ladies if I missed you), my dark green gig is DEFINITELY a male. I shut pumps down to do some cleaning last night and he went ahead and started clouding up my tank with his seed...

I am not convinced that this was a spawn due to ideal conditions (although params are fine), rather I think the stopping of the flow triggered this. That all being said, it's definitely a male. The blue and the purple gig did not release anything at the time. They did swell up some, but that too may be due to the stopping of the flow. Skimmer didn't go TOO crazy and I am monitoring them all today. I shot a video of the release and will try to upload later.

[OrionN]

Check the other two anemones carefully for evidence of eggs. In my Malu I can see the babies inside the mother. They move independent from the fluid and each other. I seen several that move pass each other in opposite direction. My Malu release the babies in 72 hrs at night. If you see something consider stop the return pump and use air pumps to bothe your sump and DT overnight on the third night. At least that is what I would do if I am you

[jmadison]

Check the other two anemones carefully for evidence of eggs. In my Malu I can see the babies inside the mother. They move independent from the fluid and each other. I seen several that move pass each other in opposite direction. My Malu release the babies in 72 hrs at night. If you see something consider stop the return pump and use air pumps to bothe your sump and DT overnight on the third night. At least that is what I would do if I am you

Minh,

I am all on board to follow the above, couple(many) questions. I don't suppose you have a photo of your malu's for reference? Is it visable under reef lighting or do I need to shine a flashlight through the nem? Do they stay more in the column or in the disc? You said the Malu released its' babies after 72 hours or it was a 72 hour process of releasing babies? How small are the babies? Do you suggest me trying to remove the babies and place them in a low flow remote 20 gallon with display tank water?

Sorry for all the questions, I do a lot of lurking in the anemone forums and remembered your post about possibly breeding gigs.

[OrionN]

http://home.grandecom.net/~mnguyen/2009-10-23%2007.59.08.jpg

That is the fertilized anemone eggs in my female Malu.

[OrionN]

Spawning

http://home.grandecom.net/~mnguyen/2009-10-23%2017.53.42.jpg

http://home.grandecom.net/~mnguyen/2009-10-23%2017.53.53.jpg

Post picture

http://home.grandecom.net/~mnguyen/2009-10-23%2020.01.22.jpg

[taylor t]

I had a friend come over with a apogee usb and I was only getting 75 par at my gig and 100 just below the surface. My mertens and haddoni were getting less then 50. This is with a 175w 20k, two 36" actinic t5 and a little blue and uv led, I have my lights high above the water at 18" and the bulbs are older. I thought my tank and sps were maxed out with this combo and don't plan on going any higher, I run my halide 12hrs a day and total 13. I don't know if the meter may be off, but he said he checked outside and was getting over 1200 and he gets a little over 200 on his tank. My gig has been happy for a year now and could move up a little if it wanted.
Thank you for this! Wow, that's low. I wonder what they look like? And, wonder what they would look like if they got more light? I know for sure, they can handle more light than that. Can you post some pics of yours?



Following
Don't, turn around, sell your stuff, and run as far as you can from this hobby! It's cheaper to spend all day at the casino! (J/K:lolspin:)
I'm sorry for spreading my anemone-addictive-itus disease to you.
:D:facepalm:



My Apogee arrived yesterday. I took some measure today. My happiest Gig is a huge Gig. About 18 inches. Top part PAR at 550. Middle where the mouth is is about 490. Two other Gig at about 425. The 4th Gig at about 350. He is the smallest and slowest growth. I always feed him extra. Magnifica at 350 and Haddoni at 275
Thank you for this! I know you feed a lot. I'm surprised at the low par numbers, but also haven't seen too many pics of them (but haven't looked very hard for them either) lately. Mine didn't do well with such low light. But I don't feed as often/as much as you either. You can grow a gig huge in 6 months, I still have gigs 3 years old around a foot.



Taylor t
I got 7 Radion 5 of which is G3 pro and 2 G2 pro over my 6 foot tank. My tank got really bright light. There got to be error in reading either your's or mine. Brighter light than this and my anemone going to burn.
???????
No error in my readings. I'm sure. What I am sure of, is, if you were to give them more light, you would be impressed at how they started to look. You could feed less too. Maybe not brighter light from the radion, but maybe supplemental light from additional 5K LED spots. Spectrum matters, and I think they could gain from another brand in addition, no offense. Really, you would be surprised at the increase in overall appearance. No joke. Ugly to have clamp on lights yes, but they love those lights.

My new Par Meter. Spend 15 min to make a Wand for it.

Nice!

[taylor t]

Here's some pics from tonight.
FTS 75 gig tank.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso9vi8te1.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso9vi8te1.jpeg.html)

Here's Pete's little "brown".
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1f0dhn90.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1f0dhn90.jpeg.html)

Far left blue, starter of this thread:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspfwejvbh.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspfwejvbh.jpeg.html)

Other blue, starter of theread (Both under a foot):
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdycki0hz.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdycki0hz.jpeg.html)

Purple
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps0oulwtzb.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps0oulwtzb.jpeg.html)

Middle blue:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoayx22mm.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsoayx22mm.jpeg.html)

Other purple:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdj6h437w.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdj6h437w.jpeg.html)

Green:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsuqdwz3i9.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsuqdwz3i9.jpeg.html)

They had a little trouble adjusting to the new lights. But we're over that bump now. I'm still glad I made the switch.

[taylor t]

Here's the footing of the far left blue. It's on the back of the tank. Mom and pop have babies on the glass that will swim the next couple nights.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5yssu3wx.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5yssu3wx.jpeg.html)

Here's the purple and green on the right. Both are through the sand to the bottom of the tank.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpskkukubss.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpskkukubss.jpeg.html)

[taylor t]

So here's the 210 FTS:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdmcn934k.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdmcn934k.jpeg.html)

Pete's old "goliath", not so goliath now a days. ...he overfed, JMHO, but hey, if that's what you want....
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscvwua6ad.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscvwua6ad.jpeg.html)

Purple. This guy acts like a BTA. Pulls back at lights out, pops out at sun up. Not like any other gigs I have.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscdhyof7q.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscdhyof7q.jpeg.html)

Another purple.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsryfch8b0.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsryfch8b0.jpeg.html)

For those who know, or care, this is Robbie's green (reef1589) [for keeping track of purposes]:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso3qdy3ru.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpso3qdy3ru.jpeg.html)

Mertens:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsruqexeyx.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsruqexeyx.jpeg.html)

Happy Easter everyone! :)

[taylor t]

I know to most, I have a big brown ugly anemone. It's eye candy to me.
I also have another expensive hobby, guitars. I have a select few I would grab if my house was on fire. This mertens would be among the "burning building saves". I know to most, it's just another oversized brown anemone, but I really like it.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8eqm5rgv.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps8eqm5rgv.jpeg.html)

I would honestly give it a 5/10 in health and appearance, from what I know they are supposed to look like. But it's still a family favorite. It would be the first of the anemones to be saved.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscczyjys7.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpscczyjys7.jpeg.html)

[blaujess]

Awesome color

[taylor t]

Awesome color

Thanks

[taylor t]

Here's some feeding videos. I turned the pumps off to feed them.

http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.A8EE2A9B-09F0-47D6-AE0B-5911FFD1DBA5_zpszojxyzjj.mp4

http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.7B589B50-D422-4E27-ADD3-14F493B9DA8C_zps792pjcrq.mp4

http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.3459CEE0-C34C-4A0F-8C72-47D4FBF8D1A1_zps62nfjo7j.mp4

http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.F7F15174-63D6-4581-BBCC-2A6D7B2AB488_zpsuzj2acdn.mp4

Here's the 210 clowns and babies.
http://vid256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/trim.6159E1A5-6D67-4DDF-BE2F-D66B3848E3F7_zpsnwmlq9mp.mp4

[OrionN]

taylor t
What is your thought on feeding them such finely ground food? A lot of that will go to your filter feeder or just up the nutrient or end up in your skimmer IMO. I feed mine chunks of sea food instead of use a syringe like you.

BTW, I just got to get more light to my anemones. Your anemone's colors are nice.

[taylor t]

taylor t
You may want to smash the food. Not pulverized them but just smashed them up, just enough so that they stay together and not dissolved when it hit the water. It is easier for the anemone to digest smaller bits of food.
Since your suggestion, I've just kind of done it this way. I suppose it was originally YOUR thoughts, not mine... I remember Rod saying he never directly fed his, and mine seemed to have done so well with just feeding the tank. It's easier to target feed the anemones using tubing, more on the nems and less floating in the water. It's helped in how often I empty my skimmer, less.




If you don't want the algae in your tank, a foxface will make short work of them. My one spot foxface just make short work of all the tougher algae.
I think I may have forgot to tell you, thanks for the suggestion. I now have one in the 210. It may have a foxface, but has a pigface appetite.



I take out a piece of original Rods frozen food. Actual size may vary, 1"or 2", I may be off a little...
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps2c18c2e9.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps2c18c2e9.jpeg.html)

I dip it in the 75 gallon for a few seconds, to let a little bit thaw and fall. I just always did this for my white anemone crabs, I could see they strain the water column for crumbs, so I figured I was just feeding them.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/image_zps6103f851.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/image_zps6103f851.jpeg.html)

I think feeding this way, adds TONS more to the skimmer and overall tank nutrients. Dropping pulverized food right on the nems gets the food right to the intended recipients instead of the water column. Less food seems to go farther with less impact on the nutrients is what I see feeding like this. It's ok that we don't agree. :beer:



taylor t
What is your thought on feeding them such finely ground food? A lot of that will go to your filter feeder or just up the nutrient or end up in your skimmer IMO. I feed mine chunks of sea food instead of use a syringe like you.

BTW, I just got to get more light to my anemones. Your anemone's colors are nice.
You'll never know how you've impacted the hobby - I originally got the idea FROM YOU! :) See above quotes. :) And thanks! I normally don't feed near that much in the videos I posted, that's about 3x as much as I normally give them, that's why I video'd them, and probably why they aren't 24" yet. Normally, I just let a little dust fall on them, just enough food to stimulate a response, or as you put it "you got to get them some raw material". If they're mostly bags of water, all they really need is a little anyways. In a sense, maybe they're just filter feeders too. Who knows for sure. They definitely grow with large food chunks for sure, as we've all seen, but it's also possible to have a healthy good looking gig that's small too, using little food.

And thanks! If you get your anemone's more 5K lighting, I promise you, you will see good results if you give it a few weeks - in ADDITION to your radions-not changing the setting on your radions... Nothing wrong with those lights, but I think they are all lacking the intensity in the spectrum that gigs like. Just what I see in the reactions of mine. Those radion lights are proven to keep them alive-sure, but gigs can look better if given more light in a 5K flavor. Although, some are sold on aesthetics alone, they don't want to add a "yellow" light to their tank. I get that. The one gig that looks the best, my 75 green, gets 2000+ par. That's ridiculous lighting for anything but a gig. I don't think radions can even make that strong of lighting, let alone penetrate a foot into water.
And, that's using the q-200 par meter that doesn't pick up the blue spectrum very well, so it's even higher than that!

[OrionN]

What are the bulbs you use for your spot lights? Where did you get it? That is what I needed.

[taylor t]

The dreaded Home depot. The ones I'm using are discontinued.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-120W-Equivalent-Daylight-5000K-PAR38-Dimmable-LED-Flood-Light-Bulb-2-Pack-425280/204109095

I've got some of these too, just not as strong.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100W-Equivalent-Daylight-5000K-PAR38-Wet-Rated-Outdoor-and-Security-LED-Flood-Light-Bulb-4-Pack-435016/205362379

Last year, I got the 120 watt equivalent (120 watt=19.5 watt)
Now they seem to only offer the 100 watt equivalent (100 watt=17 watt)
Just make sure it's daylight, or 5K color and you'll be fine. I've been using both, they seem to like them both. Roughly $20 or less per bulb, $6 for a cheap clamp on socket. $3 for a strip and $10 for a timer. Philips brand seems to be best, I've tried a few different brands. 5K color (or daylight) seems to be best.

[taylor t]

As ugly as it may be. Highly effective.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsolg1kcxy.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsolg1kcxy.jpeg.html)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpswrrbtq4c.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpswrrbtq4c.jpeg.html)

[OrionN]

I will go looking this weekend. Thanks

[taylor t]

:thumbsup:

[OrionN]

I put a 5000K spot light on one of my Gig. I have this for the refugium and for the HT (when I used 2 HT), only 75 W equivalent.

Here is a picture. I will get 4 or 5 more but with the highest watage I can find.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=347488&stc=1&d=1460239528

[taylor t]

I put a 5000K spot light on one of my Gig. I have this for the refugium and for the HT (when I used 2 HT), only 75 W equivalent.

Here is a picture. I will get 4 or 5 more but with the highest watage I can find.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=347488&stc=1&d=1460239528

That guy looks good, is that your purple you've had a while? Is that guy living in your big 320? or the smaller cube? More info on last 6 months of care please. Take a picture now, and take a picture in 2 weeks and compare them.

[OrionN]

That is my first Petco Gigantea. He is slightly green. I will take pictures every 2 weeks and see how he change with increase light.

[taylor t]

Here's a picture of the little "brown" I got from Peter. Looks like it could be what you're calling multicolor. He got it from DFS, the California site of LA, not DD. It was listed as a small brown, and small it was-hardly 2" measured with a stretcher. This guy also looks like it could turn all green, but hasn't. It's got a green glow on the whole disk with actinic lighting. I was expecting it to turn all solid green by now, like my other 2, but it's not. It may be the same type of coloring as yours.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/dave1748/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpstjglbypx.jpeg (http://s256.photobucket.com/user/dave1748/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpstjglbypx.jpeg.html)

Pete had this guy over a year himself, I've had it over a year also. In captivity over 2+ years, today with very little food, it's only about 3-4". Closer to 3" though.

[OrionN]

I got 4 of these. Will try them in a day or two. I got them for 11.00 each

http://reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=347701&stc=1&d=1460344765

[Jeff4777]

so many colorful pictures in this thread!! Absolutely beautiful.

[OrionN]

Here is a picture of my reef with 5000K LED spot lights for my Gigantea:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=348183&stc=1&d=1460830154

[Neoz]

Minh that Clam is spectacular! Especially with the yellow tang swimming inside of it. You have a video of your tank?