Ron Reefman's Rock Flower experience

[rodrigocpu]

Here are 2 of them having some quality time.

 

[Tired]

RFAs are broadcast spawners. The males chuck sperm into the water for the females to absorb. They don't mate the way mammals do, requiring up-close contact of certain organs.

 

[Eric R.]

The eshops pico 3.8 is tempting and it would be a good size to tank to my classroom for my desk in august (moving schools).

Got a classroom? Very cool! What do you teach?

 

[Wuzzo]

Haven't had the time to go through this thread and research on my own, but what is the secret to get these guys to spawn? Ive had the same group of 7 or so for the past couple years and they spawned once in my fluval 13.5, but that was like 3 years ago and since moving them I haven't seen them spawn again. I saw babies but iirc only one made it, then died later on from a temperature spike. Had the same ones for a while but havent seen them spawn in ages, should I try just target feeding mysis often? Havent fed them in a bit

 

[Ryebreadiest]

Got a classroom? Very cool! What do you teach?

Middle school math. It’s less a teaching tool and more a way to show the kids something cool and build relationships.

 

[Eric R.]

Middle school math. It’s less a teaching tool and more a way to show the kids something cool and build relationships.

Ah, very cool still. I teach high school science and am working on incorporating reef tanks into the curriculum.

 

[fishnchips17]

Haven't had the time to go through this thread and research on my own, but what is the secret to get these guys to spawn? Ive had the same group of 7 or so for the past couple years and they spawned once in my fluval 13.5, but that was like 3 years ago and since moving them I haven't seen them spawn again. I saw babies but iirc only one made it, then died later on from a temperature spike. Had the same ones for a while but havent seen them spawn in ages, should I try just target feeding mysis often? Havent fed them in a bit

Target feeding rfa always help. I've gotten at least 3 spawning events in the past year and I target feed my rfa 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[Wuzzo]

Target feeding rfa always help. I've gotten at least 3 spawning events in the past year and I target feed my rfa 2 or 3 times a week.

Alright, thank you!

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

I'm sure this has been answered on this thread, but I got to page 10 and hadn't found it, so I thought I'd ask here.

What's the basic procedure for adding RFAs to the tank?

This is the first thing I've added to my tank on my own (LFS usually comes and does it).

Does this sound right:

Float in sump for 15-20 mins, turn the pump/powerheads off, place the anemones on a towel to allow them to expel some of their water for a few minutes, then hold each anemone onto the rock low in the tank (maybe where the rock meets the sand) until they attach?

Any other considerations for newly shipped anemone?

Thanks. I look forward to getting these beautiful creatures into my tank.

 

[Mmbra]

I usually float them about 20 minutes in the shipping bag, then take it out and let it secure its foot in a pvc cap and plop it in the tank.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

I usually float them about 20 minutes in the shipping bag, then take it out and let it secure its foot in a pvc cap and plop it in the tank.

Thanks for the reply. I basically did the same. 30 minute float. 5-10 minutes on a towel.. Placed foot on a rock near where it meets the sand. They are all beautiful, happy, and healthy. I'm pumped.

 

[Goey]

I am sure this has been answered in this thread somewhere but going through 44 pages is a lot, i recently got 5 RFAs and added them to my tank, they have all found a spot they like and haven't moved. However they are closed up and only open up a little bit and then for the most part close back up again. I was wondering how long it takes for them to get used to the tank and open up completely, also I was wondering how soon to start spot feeding them after adding them to the tank.

 

[Cell]

I am sure this has been answered in this thread somewhere but going through 44 pages is a lot, i recently got 5 RFAs and added them to my tank, they have all found a spot they like and haven't moved. However they are closed up and only open up a little bit and then for the most part close back up again. I was wondering how long it takes for them to get used to the tank and open up completely, also I was wondering how soon to start spot feeding them after adding them to the tank.

They should open up fairly quickly if they are happy with the environment. Surely by day 2. I wouldn't feed them until they are comfortable.

 

[Ryebreadiest]

How recent is recently? I’ve had ones added my tanks that were open in literally minutes. Any more than a few days and I would be concerned.

 

[Goey]

I added them to the tank on Wednesday, they are opening up more often now. They open up the most when the light is off, should I turn the light down a bit? I am using an Aquaknight A029 with white at 10% and blue at 40%

 

[jkcoral]

I added them to the tank on Wednesday, they are opening up more often now. They open up the most when the light is off, should I turn the light down a bit? I am using an Aquaknight A029 with white at 10% and blue at 40%

Without knowing the par of your lights or the levels in the tank they came from, it’s hard to say on the lights.

It’s likely they are just getting settled, and that can take a few days.

 

[Goey]

Without knowing the par of your lights or the levels in the tank they came from, it’s hard to say on the lights.

It’s likely they are just getting settled, and that can take a few days.

Okay that's kinda what I figured, any recommendations on a par meter? I don't have one, preferably one on the cheaper side

 

[Ryebreadiest]

I’ve used an aqua knight and i doubt those settings are too high. If it’s opening up for periods of time it will probably settle.

 

[Goey]

Okay, I used the Photone app and the PAR at the waters surface was 425, so I assume around the bottom of the tank its between 100-200 PAR, which is where all the rock flowers are

 

[Ryebreadiest]

Okay, I used the Photone app and the PAR at the waters surface was 425, so I assume around the bottom of the tank its between 100-200 PAR, which is where all the rock flowers are

I don’t think the light is too bright, but they might just be acclimating