Adding in a Blue Carpet Anemone.

[fredl]

Hey Scott,

just make sure you have enough room where you're going to place it.
my blue carpet is doing fine. it hasn't moved at all.
i used 400watt MH so maybe that helps.
don't worry your 250watt Giesemann will do just fine.






Fred

[OCDP]

Hey Fred,

I have a good idea of where I want it. It will be on the bottom / just about mid level. I don't know where I should place it first though. Sand, or on rocks? Or a bit of both? I want to try as hard as I can to put him in the best spot so he doesn't move on me too much (I know, I have no control over this, but if I place him in an ideal spot he may not move.)

I have 250w HQI over my 20g. I am hoping that the intensity will keep him in place. I mean, 250w is quite a bit over a 20g.

It looks like they prefer sandy / rocky areas to bury the foot. Almost as if they like to have the crack under the rock and the sand to cover them. Correct?

Looking for best placement suggestions so I can plan out where he should go. (PS Fred: Your blue carpet looks stunning... such vibrant blue colouration. Very nice)

Thanks again everyone.

[AJ_77]

I housed Tony's green carpet for a while, and it occupied about the lower 1/3 of a 50 gal. It put its foot down through 4 inches of sand and stuck onto the bottom glass. It did nestle up against some rocks, much like the blue one above.

We wore long gloves to move it in, and a few tentacles stuck and tore off - very difficult to handle carefully. The acclimation bucket went right in the tank, and we slid the anemone out.

I considered using a short piece of large-diameter pvc pipe to contain the foot and keep wandering to a minimum, but it pretty much stayed put without it.

What size is this one you're getting? Looks cute.

[OCDP]

Thanks for your input AJ. I never knew Tony was away. Thanks for the heads up

The one I am getting is about 8" . This is what I am told anyhow.

Sounds like moving and handling these things are tricky business... and I am going to need something to cover my hands and arms well. Any recommendations? (ie: something I could use around the house or whatever)

I think I am underestimating the stickiness of these anemones right now lol. I guess I'll soon see the power of these animals. I am excited to take on a new challenge in the hobby as I found myself not challenged (haha that makes sense eh) . I think the carpet will be a good challenge , will keep me on my toes and I will make damn sure that this thing thrives in my tank. I've had very good success with anemones thus far, so I hope that success sticks around once I add this guy in.

I am now trying to think of the best/easiest-stress free way to acclimate AND introduce the anemone into the tank. Without harming it, or myself.

[AJ_77]

so, you haven't seen the new one in person?

get some pond gloves/reef gloves - sturdy and long. those thin dental gloves aren't the best.

and yes, the carpet is the stickiest thing you will ever deal with, if it's healthy (healthy = sticky). they are lethal, but not in my tank (smart fishes).

you could try a 4-litre pail for the slow drip, that you can lower into your tank enough to get the animal out and onto the sand.

[OCDP]

Originally Posted by AJ_77

so, you haven't seen the new one in person?

get some pond gloves/reef gloves - sturdy and long. those thin dental gloves aren't the best.

and yes, the carpet is the stickiest thing you will ever deal with, if it's healthy (healthy = sticky). they are lethal, but not in my tank (smart fishes).

you could try a 4-litre pail for the slow drip, that you can lower into your tank enough to get the animal out and onto the sand.

I have not seen it in person. It's rudy's in the buy/sell forum. That's where I am getting it. Do you know of a place in town I could buy some good sturdy gloves to handle this beast?

Lethal? Lethal to myself, or the fish??? haha..

I have 2g buckets, they are deep not shallow that I was planning on using for the drip. I suppose I could do the drip, then grab a stick or some tongs and just slide him into the water, let him float to the bottom and position him with sticks/tongs or some object..Would it be horrible if the anemone was exposed to air for a minute or two?? If I am dripping, and then I go to dump him in, I am still going to get some of his tank water in my tank. So I figure I'll need to drip, then dump all the water out, and then just slide the anemone in?? I need to think of what to use and how to do this effectively.

Thanks for your help AJ.

[Chaloupa]

I have access to medical gloves too...definately a NO NO! Due to the powders and stuff they use for them. My husband was stung on his wrist...not a nice sting either...scabbed up now! We learned our lesson and are purchasing a set of reef gloves to protect ourselves better. We have 3 tanks so are in them often.....

We used a bucket and drip method...worked well except that our cap is hard to get off so from cap into tank he slid it into his hands (which were covered) and into tank...and got stung that quickly. Sticky? YEP!

Ours we placed on the sand bed. Moved him with bagged hands and a turkey baster...stuck like glue to the turkey baster too! He has stayed in the sand but also wedged between some rocks....he has had a disaster with a powerhead so he hasn't stuck completely to the floor of the tank due to a bit of trauma. Be careful if you have any power heads...cover them with the round foamy things you can buy to put over the screens...ours are Maxijet 1200's. Was a disaster but averted (sp?) quickly. It took him several hours to remove from the powerhead but we let him do it...no pulling etc. Tense day! Sounds like your 20g has PLENTY of light!

True perc's are nice! They should be quite safe with yours. Saddlebacks are a bit of a hit and miss from what we are being told as to how busy they are in the anemone and whether or not they are not too abusive. I look forward to seeing pics of yours and how its doing!

[OCDP]

Originally Posted by Chaloupa

I have access to medical gloves too...definately a NO NO! Due to the powders and stuff they use for them. My husband was stung on his wrist...not a nice sting either...scabbed up now! We learned our lesson and are purchasing a set of reef gloves to protect ourselves better. We have 3 tanks so are in them often.....

We used a bucket and drip method...worked well except that our cap is hard to get off so from cap into tank he slid it into his hands (which were covered) and into tank...and got stung that quickly. Sticky? YEP!

Ours we placed on the sand bed. Moved him with bagged hands and a turkey baster...stuck like glue to the turkey baster too! He has stayed in the sand but also wedged between some rocks....he has had a disaster with a powerhead so he hasn't stuck completely to the floor of the tank due to a bit of trauma. Be careful if you have any power heads...cover them with the round foamy things you can buy to put over the screens...ours are Maxijet 1200's. Was a disaster but averted (sp?) quickly. It took him several hours to remove from the powerhead but we let him do it...no pulling etc. Tense day! Sounds like your 20g has PLENTY of light!

True perc's are nice! They should be quite safe with yours. Saddlebacks are a bit of a hit and miss from what we are being told as to how busy they are in the anemone and whether or not they are not too abusive. I look forward to seeing pics of yours and how its doing!

Thanks again for the post

My biggest biggest concerns as of right now is acclimation and introduction to my reef. I don't want to get stung , and I don't want it sticking to me, or anything else as I don't want to damage this anemone whatsoever (or myself!!!) .

You say don't use the latex gloves? I have used them in my reef before. I haven't noticed any ill effects. Perhaps it wouldn't be that great to physically handle the anemone, but how about if I rinsed the gloves and soaked them in boiling (ok maybe not boiling) hot water? I am also thinking of double wrapping my hands in the gloves. Would wrapping my arms in bags help too? Just trying to plan this out to the T. I want no problems with this guy.

As for your powerhead incident that really sucks. Did he float away in your tank and get sucked up? I use Seio 620's and the intakes aren't too harsh. Harsh enough to do some damage, but nothing like a MJ1200 intake. If he stays put where I want him, I should be fine.. I do have Seio intake guards though.

I'm confused by your "cap" Are we talking monti caps? Or are we talking tops for the tank?

I plan to dedicate the entire right side of my reef for the anemone. Once settled I'll decorate with some zoos in the surrounding area. But not until he's comfy.

Please shoot me a reply when you get the chance. I really appreciate all the help and input here.. it will help make this acclimation and introduction a lot smoother.

Scott

[safety4fire]

LeeValley has latex gloves that go to the elbow.