Added New Livestock

Whys · 10/25/2008, 02:07 AM

37g reef tank, 7g low-flow refugium, 8g sump.

2 weeks ago, added 5" DSB livesand.
1 week ago, added 35lbs liverock.

Now, algae is beginning to grow, amphipods are molting, levels are good, and very low nitrate.

Today, added to display tank: 2 scarlet hermits (1"x2), 1 hermit with dark legs (.25"x1), 2 snails (.5"x2), 2 snails (.25"x2), and finally... 1 brittle star that tip-to-tip measures 1 foot. Sounds bigger than it really is, but it's not small either. Don't know the snails too well, but realize there are two types and requested a balanced mix.

Today, added to refugium: 1 snail (.5"x1), 1 snail (.25"x1), 1 hermit with dark green legs (.25"x1), and 3 baby brittles that hitched a ride (.5"x3).

My skimmer is running, my carbon is running, but was considering not running the carbon for awhile since there seems to be some who think it is a good idea to hold off on it until the tank is more established.

I don't actually have anything in the refugium at the moment except a dusting of the finest sand that found its way to the low-flow and settled, plus a few pebbles of liverock rubble. I'm not sure there is enough in there for the critters to eat. There is algae for the algae eaters, but probably not much detritus. Tho I figure there will be the first time I feed my star. No?

Do brittles eat amphipods? How much bigger will this brown brittle get? How deep into the sandbed will it burrow?

Will these critters burrow deep enough into my DSB?

Concerning the two groups of snails, how can I tell which kind is which?

Do my numbers and balance of hermits, snails, and brittle, sound okay for my tank size and age?

My LFS says I could add a fish in a week. Was considering a true-perc, but haven't decided. Is a fish a necessary next step, or could I keep it to inverts for now? If I wish to keep it to inverts for now, is there any kind I should be considering?

You guys are the best at offering experience and insights. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

ecomdesign · 10/25/2008, 05:40 AM

I'm a newbie to so take this for what is worth! I've only had my tank for a month. I have a 90 gallon with 10 snails, 10 hermit crabs, 1 brittle, and 1 banded shrimp. No fish yet for me and everything has been running smooth for over 2 weeks now. My first 2 weeks I had a major algae blooms. I'd say for the size tank you have that your cleanup crew is pretty good. But I like to hear what the experienced people have to say.

My brittle doesn't borrow in the sand. He stays within the live rock. The only time I've ever seen him eat is when I hand feed him. I give him canned snails (escargot). I know when he gets hungry because my shrimp stays as far away from him as possible!

I had nasty algae bloom in the first few weeks. Keep an eye on yours. So many things can contribute. I found I needed to add flow with powerheads, and I turned my lighting back to 3 hours a day. I'm grandfathering my lights in by adding 1 hour a week until I get to 8 hours.

Donâ€™t know if this helps. Just thought I'd share what I've experienced so far!

Whys · 10/25/2008, 03:20 PM

Okay, thanks for the insight. You've been helpful. I guess what I'm wondering, is how do these critters properly churn a 5" DSB?

Sounds like the brittle will eat amphipods if it's hungry and they get too close.

ecomdesign · 10/27/2008, 04:16 AM

your sandbed is alot thicker than mine. You can get borrowing fish. I think gobys do a good job and some Wrasses burrow aswell. I saw a sandsifting star fish the other day at my LFS that did a great job at stirring the sand bed.

I'm hesitant to put something in my tank to help stir as I put my rock ontop of the sand.

Whys · 10/27/2008, 06:03 AM

Borrowing fish aren't always helpful, as they often eat other things that are. I have been considering it tho.

I believe brittles are also considered sandsifters, but... not exactly what I was expecting. I'm not sure my tank is ultimately well suited for it, but hanging on to it for a bit isn't going to hurt anything either. Who knows, maybe I'll grow attached. :p

The key to deep sand beds seems to be bristle worms and nassarius snails. They will both burrow, gently. I'm also considering spaghetti worms, and sand bed clams for fun.

The depth of my sandbed isn't a problem for my liverock. I fashioned an eggcrate shelf on pvc stilts that sits .5 to 1 inches under the sandbed along the back of the tank where my liverock sits. This will prevent collapse. Also part of the reason I'm considering a borrowing fish.

10/25/2008, 02:07 AM	#1
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Added New Livestock 37g reef tank, 7g low-flow refugium, 8g sump. 2 weeks ago, added 5" DSB livesand. 1 week ago, added 35lbs liverock. Now, algae is beginning to grow, amphipods are molting, levels are good, and very low nitrate. Today, added to display tank: 2 scarlet hermits (1"x2), 1 hermit with dark legs (.25"x1), 2 snails (.5"x2), 2 snails (.25"x2), and finally... 1 brittle star that tip-to-tip measures 1 foot. Sounds bigger than it really is, but it's not small either. Don't know the snails too well, but realize there are two types and requested a balanced mix. Today, added to refugium: 1 snail (.5"x1), 1 snail (.25"x1), 1 hermit with dark green legs (.25"x1), and 3 baby brittles that hitched a ride (.5"x3). My skimmer is running, my carbon is running, but was considering not running the carbon for awhile since there seems to be some who think it is a good idea to hold off on it until the tank is more established. I don't actually have anything in the refugium at the moment except a dusting of the finest sand that found its way to the low-flow and settled, plus a few pebbles of liverock rubble. I'm not sure there is enough in there for the critters to eat. There is algae for the algae eaters, but probably not much detritus. Tho I figure there will be the first time I feed my star. No? Do brittles eat amphipods? How much bigger will this brown brittle get? How deep into the sandbed will it burrow? Will these critters burrow deep enough into my DSB? Concerning the two groups of snails, how can I tell which kind is which? Do my numbers and balance of hermits, snails, and brittle, sound okay for my tank size and age? My LFS says I could add a fish in a week. Was considering a true-perc, but haven't decided. Is a fish a necessary next step, or could I keep it to inverts for now? If I wish to keep it to inverts for now, is there any kind I should be considering? You guys are the best at offering experience and insights. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Last edited by Whys; 10/25/2008 at 02:16 AM.

10/25/2008, 05:40 AM	#2
ecomdesign Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 458	I'm a newbie to so take this for what is worth! I've only had my tank for a month. I have a 90 gallon with 10 snails, 10 hermit crabs, 1 brittle, and 1 banded shrimp. No fish yet for me and everything has been running smooth for over 2 weeks now. My first 2 weeks I had a major algae blooms. I'd say for the size tank you have that your cleanup crew is pretty good. But I like to hear what the experienced people have to say. My brittle doesn't borrow in the sand. He stays within the live rock. The only time I've ever seen him eat is when I hand feed him. I give him canned snails (escargot). I know when he gets hungry because my shrimp stays as far away from him as possible! I had nasty algae bloom in the first few weeks. Keep an eye on yours. So many things can contribute. I found I needed to add flow with powerheads, and I turned my lighting back to 3 hours a day. I'm grandfathering my lights in by adding 1 hour a week until I get to 8 hours. Donâ€™t know if this helps. Just thought I'd share what I've experienced so far!

10/25/2008, 03:20 PM	#3
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Okay, thanks for the insight. You've been helpful. I guess what I'm wondering, is how do these critters properly churn a 5" DSB? Sounds like the brittle will eat amphipods if it's hungry and they get too close.

10/27/2008, 04:16 AM	#4
ecomdesign Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 458	your sandbed is alot thicker than mine. You can get borrowing fish. I think gobys do a good job and some Wrasses burrow aswell. I saw a sandsifting star fish the other day at my LFS that did a great job at stirring the sand bed. I'm hesitant to put something in my tank to help stir as I put my rock ontop of the sand.

10/27/2008, 06:03 AM	#5
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Borrowing fish aren't always helpful, as they often eat other things that are. I have been considering it tho. I believe brittles are also considered sandsifters, but... not exactly what I was expecting. I'm not sure my tank is ultimately well suited for it, but hanging on to it for a bit isn't going to hurt anything either. Who knows, maybe I'll grow attached. :p The key to deep sand beds seems to be bristle worms and nassarius snails. They will both burrow, gently. I'm also considering spaghetti worms, and sand bed clams for fun. The depth of my sandbed isn't a problem for my liverock. I fashioned an eggcrate shelf on pvc stilts that sits .5 to 1 inches under the sandbed along the back of the tank where my liverock sits. This will prevent collapse. Also part of the reason I'm considering a borrowing fish.