LTA Question

Simba · Jan 27, 2013

I got 2 LTA's yesterday. I put one in and it is at the bottom of my tank on the sand by a rock. The secon is on a rock up higher. I thought they need to be in the sand so I tried to move the second one today however it is attached to the rock. I noticed the first one kind of folded up once the lights went out and today it opened a little. The second one didn't seem to change when the lights went out and the tenticles don't seem to be moving much today. I have read that they take longer to get use to the tank and I have read that they usually move around the aquarium however neither of mine have moved. Should I be concerned or just be patient?

Trex · Jan 27, 2013

Do you have a picture of them both? Just want to make sure that they are both M. doreensis.

What size tank?
How deep is your sandbed?
Current water parameters -- with numbers please.
What lights do you have? What lights were they under?
What do you have for flow?

Simba · Jan 27, 2013

Tank size is 65g
Sandbed is 3 inches
Water Parameters: Nitrite and Nitrate both 0, PH 8.0-8.1, Temp is 76 degrees
Lights: LED (Reef Capable LED Lighting System)
Lights from LFS were T5's
Flow: I just have a model 5 Utility pump (500GPH) I also have a NW-110 skimmer

I did a water change on Friday night and then took my water to my LFS on Saturday for testing. They said everything was right where it should be.

Trex · Jan 27, 2013

Are you acclimating them to your lights? (( If your fixture isn't dimable, you can use 3 layers of window screening, with removing a layer ever 5-7 days ))

It could be the pictures, but they both appear to be lighter in color than I would prefer -- slightly bleached, but not too bad -- but makes the light acclimation even more important.

What is your salinity/SG? How do you measure it?

The first one doesn't look like it has its foot buried, I would dig an impression in the sand and place it in there.

The second one should be in/on the sandbed, but I would not move it -- would cause more stress.
If you have any powerheads, makes sure that they are covered -- don't want they getting sucked into them.

SNAKEMANVET · Jan 28, 2013

I agree with Trex on all he said.

Simba · Jan 28, 2013

Thank you both. I wokeup this moning and the one that was on the rock was on the sand. I feel bad because it would have fallen. I tried to dig a hole for each of them however they do not stay in it. I did not realize I needed to acclimate to the light.

I do not have a kit yet to test the salt levels. I am waifing for my lfs to get a kit in that they advised will test everything which would be nice so I don't need to make weekly visits. Is there a kit anyone would suggest I can get somewhere else that is good?

The picture isn't the best. The one that was on the rock is the brownish/rose color like you see in the front but all the way around. With the other one what you see on the left side is the way it looks all the way around. It looks like the light is making them look rely white. I'm hoping when I get home from work they will be happier. I really appreciate the advice!

jedidad · Jan 28, 2013

You don't use a kit to test salinity. You need to get a refractometer. Don't let them sell you a hydrometer to check the salinity. Make sure you get some calibration fluid for the refractometer to ensure it is reading right.