LTAs and Zoos .. What to do!?

[kraka40]

Hey reefers!

Got a quick question ... over the past few days my LTA has been acting odd: moving around alot, only extending itself at night, not being its usual gross long and obtuse self.

Well, looks like he's finally found (for now) what he was looking for, a new home on the rock structure off the sandbed. I think the new plate and/or leather corals may have been pissing him off even though they are not adjecent.

Nonetheless, He has moved up on the rock such that he is covering half a colony of zoos. What should I do? The zoos are on a rock fragment that I could (potentially) move. Should I move them? Get the LTA to move? or just say WTF, and see what happens.

Thanks your posts are much appreciated!
-kraka

ps. Go Pats!! hehe

 

[Anonymous]

If the anemone is happy, move the Zoos.

Sometimes you can direct some current at the base of the anemone with a powerhead and coax it to move.
Andy

 

[kraka40]

Thanks .. but it looks like I don't need to. The Anemone just took a dive headfirst back to the sandbed. Looks like fun, but not sure the LTA was playing.

The Zoos are back to normal, which is a good sign, and the LTA doesn't seem to be upset. BUT, I may be bringing him to the LFS soon for a credit. He's not his same old self. I've had him for about 7 months and only recently has he started acting up.

Thx

 

[Anonymous]

Is your tank grounded with a grounding probe, Kraka?

Has anything in the tank changed lately?
Andy

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

FWIW, LTA's prefer a sandbed to bury their foot in. Hope it's finally found it's happy place.

 

[Anonymous]

Get ring of PVC pipe (2in tall). Put a small rock in the middle and bury it. Then bury the "foot" of the LTA where you want it. He will attach to the rock and the ring will keep it from walking. We have had a 12"+ LTA that hasn't moved in years.

 

[kraka40]

Thanks for the advice ..

He likes the sandbed very much, which is why I am surprised he started climbing up the rock. My theory is that the shorter days of winter are finally starting to irritate him. My tank is my livining room, which gets a lot of light all day long. He picked the corner closest to the windows and thats where he usually sits all day soaking in the sunlight. I'm wondering if he was climbing up the rock to get closer to my PCs. Its a 50 gal with 96W 10k and 96W Actinic.

I may give the PVC trick a shot, but if he continue to shows discomfort I'll bring him to the LFS for a store credit.

 

[danmhippo]

How old is the PC bulb?

 

[kraka40]

The lights are about 8-9 months old. I'm hoping I can get at least a year out of them. I got them from Hellolights.com