did the cuc poisen my tank

Junjokun · 03/19/2007, 09:08 PM

I bought a sand sifting sea cucumber for my 45 gallon reef tank. It was holding on to the rocks for the first 3 days, but on the 4th day it disapeared. I figured in finaly went into the sand.

About five days later most of my snails and crabs start to die in my tank. I lost a pistol shrimp too, but the fish don't look bothered. So I do a big water change and in the process I find the dead cuc which looks like it has been decomosing for a long time.

Did the cuc poisen my tank? If so, what should I do to fix it?

Randall_James · 03/19/2007, 09:28 PM

just your water change and perhaps carbon. It is my understanding that they do not actively release toxin unless harassed. Not sure what happens when they die

How did you acclimate the cucumber? What type was it?

drummereef · 03/19/2007, 10:03 PM

I would say the ammonia did the inverts in, not the cuke's poison. I had a tigertail cuke get knarled by a powerhead and my tank was fine. I also didn't find it until I got home. Plenty of time for the nuke to take place. Unless you had a sea apple or other colorful cuke I wouldn't stress too much. The water change was a very good idea though. Sorry for your loss.

bertoni · 03/20/2007, 12:01 AM

You could run some carbon, to try to remove any toxin. I suspect it's more likely to be decay problems, but some cucumbers can nuke tanks.

uscharalph · 03/20/2007, 01:01 AM

Sorry for your loss.

03/19/2007, 09:08 PM	#1
Junjokun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 43	did the cuc poisen my tank I bought a sand sifting sea cucumber for my 45 gallon reef tank. It was holding on to the rocks for the first 3 days, but on the 4th day it disapeared. I figured in finaly went into the sand. About five days later most of my snails and crabs start to die in my tank. I lost a pistol shrimp too, but the fish don't look bothered. So I do a big water change and in the process I find the dead cuc which looks like it has been decomosing for a long time. Did the cuc poisen my tank? If so, what should I do to fix it?

03/19/2007, 09:28 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	just your water change and perhaps carbon. It is my understanding that they do not actively release toxin unless harassed. Not sure what happens when they die How did you acclimate the cucumber? What type was it? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

03/19/2007, 10:03 PM	#3
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I would say the ammonia did the inverts in, not the cuke's poison. I had a tigertail cuke get knarled by a powerhead and my tank was fine. I also didn't find it until I got home. Plenty of time for the nuke to take place. Unless you had a sea apple or other colorful cuke I wouldn't stress too much. The water change was a very good idea though. Sorry for your loss. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/20/2007, 12:01 AM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You could run some carbon, to try to remove any toxin. I suspect it's more likely to be decay problems, but some cucumbers can nuke tanks. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/20/2007, 01:01 AM	#5
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	Sorry for your loss. __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank