Cycling Tank: Bristleworm Problem?

misane2day · 11/01/2009, 10:40 PM

Ok, My 55 Gallon tank has been cycling for a few days. We had about 42 pounds of dead "live" rock, and today we bought 5 pounds of live rock that is actually live. Nitrates haven't spiked yet and the tank isn't yet fully cycled. A few hours after we placed the new rock we started noticing little red spikey worms peeking out through the holes and crevices. We're pretty sure that they're bristleworms. There is also a spikey worm that is more of a gray color. We're wondering if we can leave them in and buy some coral banded shrimp when the tank has cycled. Would they help anything? Or if we should get rid of them ASAP. I'm not sure if they'll die with the natural nitrate spikes during the cycling process either. Any info would be great.

I'll try to post some pictures.

plateboy3293 · 11/01/2009, 10:45 PM

Well first off

To Reef Central
Now the bristleworms are part of the ecosystem in the tank and you want to keep them alive.

Aquarist007 · 11/01/2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plateboy3293

Well first off

To Reef Central
Now the bristleworms are part of the ecosystem in the tank and you want to keep them alive.

I agree totally. If you have that visible life in your tank now then you can bet there is more that might not be visible to the naked eye. IMO it is important to preserve that life for your tank so you might want to to watch ammonia and nitrate levels carefully and do a water change if they spike.

misane2day · 11/01/2009, 10:55 PM

Awesome! That's really helpful, Thanks guys.

11/01/2009, 10:40 PM	#1
misane2day Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Cycling Tank: Bristleworm Problem? Ok, My 55 Gallon tank has been cycling for a few days. We had about 42 pounds of dead "live" rock, and today we bought 5 pounds of live rock that is actually live. Nitrates haven't spiked yet and the tank isn't yet fully cycled. A few hours after we placed the new rock we started noticing little red spikey worms peeking out through the holes and crevices. We're pretty sure that they're bristleworms. There is also a spikey worm that is more of a gray color. We're wondering if we can leave them in and buy some coral banded shrimp when the tank has cycled. Would they help anything? Or if we should get rid of them ASAP. I'm not sure if they'll die with the natural nitrate spikes during the cycling process either. Any info would be great. I'll try to post some pictures.

11/01/2009, 10:45 PM	#2
plateboy3293 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hillsborough, New Jersey Posts: 1,038	Well first off *To Reef Central* Now the bristleworms are part of the ecosystem in the tank and you want to keep them alive.

11/01/2009, 10:55 PM	#4
misane2day Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	Awesome! That's really helpful, Thanks guys.