Removing the sand sifting star fish?

GatorDrew · 09/02/2007, 05:02 PM

I have a sand sifting star fish; however, I've been reading that it feeds off of the beneficial micro fauna in the tank. So, while I don't plan to kill the star fish (I'll sell it to my LFS) I was curious if many believe i should take it out?

Thank you all!

clavery · 09/02/2007, 05:03 PM

if you have only one in a 90G tank, it's not going make that big a difference in your sand bed. Leave him be - he'll keep the top of the sand from getting an algae crust, if nothing else.

justinl · 09/02/2007, 05:38 PM

i agree. in a 90gal, you wont notice much diference... i say leave it.

AZDesertRat · 09/02/2007, 06:03 PM

Get it out as soon as possible. I disregarded this advice and a single star wiped my 100G fully established system out in a few months. Thats with 330 lbs of Southdown in a 5"DSB that was crawling with mini brittle stars and red worms. Its been 18 months since I got rid of it and even with donated cups of live sand, numerous bottles of Ocean Pods and I don't know how many additions of reef stew and critters its still not what it once was.

stuccodude · 09/02/2007, 07:52 PM

get a big clean up crew for when he starves and dies, to eat him and bristle worms, good luck, i tried

GatorDrew · 09/02/2007, 08:21 PM

This is what I was leaning towards after reading the countless posts on other forums as well. Now, whenever I walk past the tank I take a quick look to see if he's around. I really want to get him out... I think Sand Sifting Crabs/Snails are the better way to go.

pelochas · 09/02/2007, 10:19 PM

wow, i was looking and in front on one in a lfs to buy one sand sifting star. didnt know they were that bad, if so why are lfs selling them?

OmarD · 09/02/2007, 11:35 PM

Get a harlequin shrimp. It will solve sand star problem. And give the stars a purpose for being in tank.

More Pics

GatorDrew · 09/03/2007, 09:04 AM

Dude... that video is crazy. Looks like they would go after other stuff like my Brittle Star. But that's awesome.

talon4x4 · 09/03/2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GatorDrew
Dude... that video is crazy. Looks like they would go after other stuff like my Brittle Star. But that's awesome.

Nope, they are afraid of brittle stars.

Check this out....
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyu...uinshrimp.html

D-Rod · 09/03/2007, 09:40 AM

I have one in my 72 gal and it's doing very well keeps the sand mixed, It's been there over one year and I have not experienced one problem, those that have problems almost always have way too small tanks or the tank too new...some just buy into the hype.

rickytikki · 09/03/2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by D-Rod
I have one in my 72 gal and it's doing very well keeps the sand mixed, It's been there over one year and I have not experienced one problem, those that have problems almost always have way too small tanks or the tank too new...some just buy into the hype.

That's a relief, I've got some.

AZDesertRat · 09/03/2007, 10:53 AM

You will be sorry. Look at the number of posts the people who are recommending them have. Those who have been around here a while know better. You will find both good and bad advice here so you need to consider the sources and weed it out for yourself.

DrBegalke · 09/03/2007, 11:44 AM

If it were mine, I would remove it... then again, I would never have gotten it in the first place.

easye123 · 09/03/2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
You will be sorry. Look at the number of posts the people who are recommending them have. Those who have been around here a while know better. You will find both good and bad advice here so you need to consider the sources and weed it out for yourself.

soo you recommend i get rid of this guy?

Ive never had a problem with him in my 90g. Sounds like your serious though, soo now you got me worried.

AZDesertRat · 09/03/2007, 12:06 PM

Yes I do. Putting one in my 100G was the single stupidest thing I have ever done in 17 years of reefkeeping. I had several people here tell me not to do it but I thought I knew better. Boy was I sorry! I had mini brittle stars and red spaghetti worms up the wazoo but have almost none after itwas in there two months. I took it back to the LFS and started re stocking the sand bed and even 18 months later it still is not the same.

easye123 · 09/03/2007, 12:17 PM

Whats not the same? What did the starfish do that was soo bad?

I still have tons of bristle worms and brittle stars.

D-Rod · 09/03/2007, 12:23 PM

If you don't have a least a 2" sand bed I would find a new home for it, otherwise you'll be fine.

AZDesertRat · 09/03/2007, 12:29 PM

Not. My sandbed is 5" deep made up of 330 lbs of Southdown and its not fine. Do what you want but consider yourself warned. Sand sifting stars should not be sold in LFS period.

easye123 · 09/03/2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by easye123
Whats not the same? What did the starfish do that was soo bad?

I still have tons of bristle worms and brittle stars.

still did not answer my questions.lol

AZDesertRat · 09/03/2007, 12:54 PM

It wiped them all out. My DSB looked like the Sahara desert. If you still have some you are obviously supplementing its food or over feeding. They do not eat detritus so are getting food elsewhere.

09/02/2007, 05:02 PM	#1
GatorDrew Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 27	Removing the sand sifting star fish? I have a sand sifting star fish; however, I've been reading that it feeds off of the beneficial micro fauna in the tank. So, while I don't plan to kill the star fish (I'll sell it to my LFS) I was curious if many believe i should take it out? Thank you all!

09/02/2007, 05:03 PM	#2
clavery Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 503	if you have only one in a 90G tank, it's not going make that big a difference in your sand bed. Leave him be - he'll keep the top of the sand from getting an algae crust, if nothing else. __________________ Cheryl Lover of shoes, dogs, and all things chocolate Current Tank Info: currently none

09/02/2007, 07:52 PM	#5
stuccodude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: sanger Posts: 1,040	get a big clean up crew for when he starves and dies, to eat him and bristle worms, good luck, i tried __________________ fear the wrath of patrick willis!!! no offense is safe. Current Tank Info: 240 all the goodies,hydra 26 led lights, chiller etc

09/02/2007, 10:19 PM	#7
pelochas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 385	wow, i was looking and in front on one in a lfs to buy one sand sifting star. didnt know they were that bad, if so why are lfs selling them? __________________ 120g Reef Tank Oceanic, 2x175watt MH 14k Iwasaki, 1 Ecotech MP40, Reeflo Dart return pump, AquaC EV-120 Eheim 1262 ,AquacontrollerJr, KentMaxximaHI-S, PhosBanReactor150, Geo Kalk Rx. Current Tank Info: working on diy led lighting and finishing a sump refuge relocated outside the house

09/02/2007, 11:35 PM	#8
OmarD Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Silverdale, WA Posts: 179	Get a harlequin shrimp. It will solve sand star problem. And give the stars a purpose for being in tank. More Pics __________________ AG "125" AquaC EV 180, "SCWD", 80 lbs lr, CoralSeaLife "Moonlite" Hood, PFO 250W HQI Mini-Pendant (XM HQI 10000k bulb) Current Tank Info: AG "125" AquaC EV 180, "SCWD", 80 lbs lr, CoralSeaLife "Moonlite" Hood, PFO 250W HQI Mini-Pendant (XM HQI 10000k bulb

09/02/2007, 05:38 PM	#3
justinl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,118	i agree. in a 90gal, you wont notice much diference... i say leave it.

09/02/2007, 06:03 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Get it out as soon as possible. I disregarded this advice and a single star wiped my 100G fully established system out in a few months. Thats with 330 lbs of Southdown in a 5"DSB that was crawling with mini brittle stars and red worms. Its been 18 months since I got rid of it and even with donated cups of live sand, numerous bottles of Ocean Pods and I don't know how many additions of reef stew and critters its still not what it once was.

09/02/2007, 08:21 PM	#6
GatorDrew Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 27	This is what I was leaning towards after reading the countless posts on other forums as well. Now, whenever I walk past the tank I take a quick look to see if he's around. I really want to get him out... I think Sand Sifting Crabs/Snails are the better way to go.

09/03/2007, 09:04 AM	#9
GatorDrew Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 27	Dude... that video is crazy. Looks like they would go after other stuff like my Brittle Star. But that's awesome.

09/03/2007, 09:40 AM	#11
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	I have one in my 72 gal and it's doing very well keeps the sand mixed, It's been there over one year and I have not experienced one problem, those that have problems almost always have way too small tanks or the tank too new...some just buy into the hype. __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

09/03/2007, 10:53 AM	#13
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You will be sorry. Look at the number of posts the people who are recommending them have. Those who have been around here a while know better. You will find both good and bad advice here so you need to consider the sources and weed it out for yourself. Last edited by AZDesertRat; 09/03/2007 at 11:46 AM.

09/03/2007, 11:44 AM	#14
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	If it were mine, I would remove it... then again, I would never have gotten it in the first place. __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

09/03/2007, 12:06 PM	#16
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Yes I do. Putting one in my 100G was the single stupidest thing I have ever done in 17 years of reefkeeping. I had several people here tell me not to do it but I thought I knew better. Boy was I sorry! I had mini brittle stars and red spaghetti worms up the wazoo but have almost none after itwas in there two months. I took it back to the LFS and started re stocking the sand bed and even 18 months later it still is not the same.

09/03/2007, 12:17 PM	#17
easye123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,505	Whats not the same? What did the starfish do that was soo bad? I still have tons of bristle worms and brittle stars. __________________ Loading...... Current Tank Info: 90g BB sps 30g sump. 2x175w mh. 2x110w vho act. Vortech. tunze 6025. ER rs 135. TLF phos. ACjr

09/03/2007, 12:23 PM	#18
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	If you don't have a least a 2" sand bed I would find a new home for it, otherwise you'll be fine. __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

09/03/2007, 12:29 PM	#19
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Not. My sandbed is 5" deep made up of 330 lbs of Southdown and its not fine. Do what you want but consider yourself warned. Sand sifting stars should not be sold in LFS period.

09/03/2007, 12:54 PM	#21
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	It wiped them all out. My DSB looked like the Sahara desert. If you still have some you are obviously supplementing its food or over feeding. They do not eat detritus so are getting food elsewhere.