Random noob questions (live rock related)

tengquen · 01/07/2010, 08:38 PM

Hey Guys,

Wondering if you can answer a couple of questions for me. They aren't urgent, but are fascinating to me. I'm curious if someone can explain what they are...

I have a new 28 gallon jbj nano cube that I set up 6 days ago with ro/di water (TDS meter showed 0), instant ocean salt, 35lbs live rock (most is fiji w/ coraline algae), 2inches live sand (I think 20 lbs?).

Anyway, I have noticed three things on the live rock...
1. Very small whiteish tube. Has about five small feathery looking extensions. When the tank is disturbed, it quickly shoots back down into the tube. It is very small, maybe 1/8 inch long and is pinkish/brown in color. Any idea what this might be? I see at least 6 so far.
2. This animal looks the same, except it does not have a tube, is white in color, is same size, and when the tank is disturbed, it closes shut really fast, like someone's hand making a fist.
3. All of my live rock is now covered with really tiny bubbles. They eventually rise to the top of the tank, but more seem to pop up over time. They were not there before. I think I read somewhere that the bacteria in the live rock will break down waste into hydrogen gas...is that what this is? Or am I way off base.

Just an FYI, here are my current tank readings...
Amonia 0
Nitrate 2.5 mg/L
Nitrite 0.1 mg/L
Ph 7.8
Salinity 1.0225
Temp 78 degrees F

I have not done any water changes yet, but plan on doing a 25% tomorrow.

I havent even bought any fish or corals yet and I am already fascinated by this hobby

Chiefsurfer · 01/07/2010, 08:44 PM

#1 is undoubtedly a spaghetti worm. Harmless and I believe a filter-feeder.

#2 sounds like a tiny aptasia anemone. If it has no "tube" it's not a spaghetti worm.

#3 is tough. I think dinoflagellettes(particularly nasty type of algae) are known for producing bubbles. That being said, micro-bubbles, that you may not even see, can collect on surfaces, especially in the beginning of anything added to the tank. Yes nitrification bacteria produces nitrogen gas, not sure if that is what is going on.

#1, I am dead positive on. 2 and 3 would be much better to have pics on.

Also, monitor your Ph, AND when you are measuring it(should be lower in the AM than the Pm unless you are running a refugium). If your tank fully cycles, no fish or anything, and ph is still 7.8, raise that a bit.

Sisterlimonpot · 01/07/2010, 08:45 PM

1: soounds like a feather duster
2: sounds like a majano or aiptasia
3: was the rock cured or uncured?

If you're going to have corals bring your salinity up to 1.026

garzaci · 01/07/2010, 08:46 PM

They sound like feather dusters to me. They are good hitch hikers. They will not harm anything and you don't have to worry about feeding them. The bubles might be trapped air that's working its way out of the rocks.

tengquen · 01/07/2010, 08:53 PM

Wow guys thanks for the fast responses! I thought #1 might be feather dusters.

To answer some questions, I don't have a refugium and I only take readings around 7pm. The live rock was fully cured.

Chiefsurfer · 01/07/2010, 08:56 PM

this:

or this:

tahoe61 · 01/07/2010, 08:57 PM

If the tank has only been cycling for 6 days in my opinion I would wait another week or more before doing a water change. The bacteria that you need to establish in your tank need something to eat and by removing it you are slowing down your cycle. Agreed if you used cured LR than your cycle will be shorter, but you do not need to start water changes yet, wait until you know the tank has hit it peek and you have no nitrates or nitrites. Sounds like your off to a great start though and I have this tank too.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefsurfer

this:

or this:

Chief...it's the second one. Thanks for helping identify. My description skills are a little lacking and they are too small to take a pic w my camera.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheryl jordan

If the tank has only been cycling for 6 days in my opinion I would wait another week or more before doing a water change. The bacteria that you need to establish in your tank need something to eat and by removing it you are slowing down your cycle. Agreed if you used cured LR than your cycle will be shorter, but you do not need to start water changes yet, wait until you know the tank has hit it peek and you have no nitrates or nitrites. Sounds like your off to a great start though and I have this tank too.

Thanks for the advice. I am really happy w this tank so far. I found it for $299, tank, stand, and shipping included. That was the push I needed to get started in this really neat hobby :-)

PRDubois · 01/08/2010, 05:35 AM

1: feather dusters - Very Good

2: sounds like aiptasia - Bad - Kill it
Get a suringe like the one in the test kits.
Get some regular Lime Juice from the grocery store (Lemon will work but Lime is better)
Without touching it inject 1ml of Lime Juice directly above it or next to it.
It will instantly shrivel up and die

3: Bubbles - Dont worry about them, they will go away. Might still have some airpockets in or under the rock.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 08:00 AM

Hey Guys,

I looked up majano and its def not that. I looked up aiptasia and it sort of looks like that but its completely white, and has very thin "branches" and has no stalk at all from what I can see. All the pics of aiptasia had thicker "branches" and had a stalk they were sitting on. Unless they look different when they are younger, I don't think thats what it is. I will try and get a pic but its so small, I'm not sure it will work.

Does anyone know of a site that shows a picture of all the creatures you could expect to find on live rock? Maybe I could narrow it down with that.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 08:31 AM

Tried to take a pic, but its impossible. Also, I'm even more sure that its not aiptasia. All of the pics I found online have extensions that are kind of wavy, whereas the ones in my tank stand erect, like the feather dusters do but with out the feathery part of the stalk.

I guess I will leave them alone for now unless you guys think different. They seem to clamp onto things floating in the water, so maybe that is good?

Sisterlimonpot · 01/08/2010, 08:46 AM

Still sounds like aiptasia, I would kill them before they start to spread and get out of control. Don't know if you have already been here but it is good for ID'ing.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

Still sounds like aiptasia, I would kill them before they start to spread and get out of control. Don't know if you have already been here but it is good for ID'ing.

Thanks for the link. 99% sure I found it. http://www.melevsreef.com/id/tube_worms.html it looks exactly like the small one on the right without the tube.

tengquen · 01/08/2010, 12:40 PM

Also, the bubbles were gone this morning, but have returned as of an hour ago. So it still seems like something is "producing" them to me if they are coming and going. I have had my tank for 7 days now and the rocks had bubbles for the first 24 hours, but then had none until yesterday. Strange. Any thoughts?

Elysia · 01/08/2010, 07:14 PM

If the bubbles are not there when the light is off, then it is likely that algae is producing oxygen during photosynthesis. Although I don't know if I have ever seen diatoms do that, most tanks go through a diatom bloom shortly after set up. Likely the rock had air pockets for the first day, and now algae is producing oxygen.

jbird69 · 01/08/2010, 07:51 PM

I cant believe people are telling you to kill it without a picture ID. Thats pretty irresponsible. Both descriptions sound like featherdusters. Not all featherdusters live in white tubes. The OP said it retracts instantly when disturbed. Majanos and aiptasia dont do that. Nor are they white.

Sisterlimonpot · 01/08/2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbird69

I cant believe people are telling you to kill it without a picture ID. Thats pretty irresponsible. Both descriptions sound like featherdusters. Not all featherdusters live in white tubes. The OP said it retracts instantly when disturbed. Majanos and aiptasia dont do that. Nor are they white.

description 1 states that it retract quickly, description 2 says that it closes up like a fist, possibly not aiptasia or majano’s without a pic but it's not a tube worm.

01/07/2010, 08:46 PM	#4
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	They sound like feather dusters to me. They are good hitch hikers. They will not harm anything and you don't have to worry about feeding them. The bubles might be trapped air that's working its way out of the rocks. __________________ Carlos No tank at all. Sold everything when I got stationed in Okinawa. Planning for when I return though. Current Tank Info: 20 gal reef tank

01/07/2010, 08:57 PM	#7
tahoe61 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: On the state line Posts: 730	Jbj If the tank has only been cycling for 6 days in my opinion I would wait another week or more before doing a water change. The bacteria that you need to establish in your tank need something to eat and by removing it you are slowing down your cycle. Agreed if you used cured LR than your cycle will be shorter, but you do not need to start water changes yet, wait until you know the tank has hit it peek and you have no nitrates or nitrites. Sounds like your off to a great start though and I have this tank too.

01/08/2010, 05:35 AM	#10
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	1: feather dusters - Very Good 2: sounds like aiptasia - Bad - Kill it Get a suringe like the one in the test kits. Get some regular Lime Juice from the grocery store (Lemon will work but Lime is better) Without touching it inject 1ml of Lime Juice directly above it or next to it. It will instantly shrivel up and die 3: Bubbles - Dont worry about them, they will go away. Might still have some airpockets in or under the rock. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

01/08/2010, 08:46 AM	#13
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Still sounds like aiptasia, I would kill them before they start to spread and get out of control. Don't know if you have already been here but it is good for ID'ing. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

01/08/2010, 07:51 PM	#17
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	I cant believe people are telling you to kill it without a picture ID. Thats pretty irresponsible. Both descriptions sound like featherdusters. Not all featherdusters live in white tubes. The OP said it retracts instantly when disturbed. Majanos and aiptasia dont do that. Nor are they white. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

01/07/2010, 08:38 PM	#1
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Random noob questions (live rock related) Hey Guys, Wondering if you can answer a couple of questions for me. They aren't urgent, but are fascinating to me. I'm curious if someone can explain what they are... I have a new 28 gallon jbj nano cube that I set up 6 days ago with ro/di water (TDS meter showed 0), instant ocean salt, 35lbs live rock (most is fiji w/ coraline algae), 2inches live sand (I think 20 lbs?). Anyway, I have noticed three things on the live rock... 1. Very small whiteish tube. Has about five small feathery looking extensions. When the tank is disturbed, it quickly shoots back down into the tube. It is very small, maybe 1/8 inch long and is pinkish/brown in color. Any idea what this might be? I see at least 6 so far. 2. This animal looks the same, except it does not have a tube, is white in color, is same size, and when the tank is disturbed, it closes shut really fast, like someone's hand making a fist. 3. All of my live rock is now covered with really tiny bubbles. They eventually rise to the top of the tank, but more seem to pop up over time. They were not there before. I think I read somewhere that the bacteria in the live rock will break down waste into hydrogen gas...is that what this is? Or am I way off base. Just an FYI, here are my current tank readings... Amonia 0 Nitrate 2.5 mg/L Nitrite 0.1 mg/L Ph 7.8 Salinity 1.0225 Temp 78 degrees F I have not done any water changes yet, but plan on doing a 25% tomorrow. I havent even bought any fish or corals yet and I am already fascinated by this hobby

01/07/2010, 08:44 PM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	#1 is undoubtedly a spaghetti worm. Harmless and I believe a filter-feeder. #2 sounds like a tiny aptasia anemone. If it has no "tube" it's not a spaghetti worm. #3 is tough. I think dinoflagellettes(particularly nasty type of algae) are known for producing bubbles. That being said, micro-bubbles, that you may not even see, can collect on surfaces, especially in the beginning of anything added to the tank. Yes nitrification bacteria produces nitrogen gas, not sure if that is what is going on. #1, I am dead positive on. 2 and 3 would be much better to have pics on. Also, monitor your Ph, AND when you are measuring it(should be lower in the AM than the Pm unless you are running a refugium). If your tank fully cycles, no fish or anything, and ph is still 7.8, raise that a bit.

01/07/2010, 08:45 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	1: soounds like a feather duster 2: sounds like a majano or aiptasia 3: was the rock cured or uncured? If you're going to have corals bring your salinity up to 1.026 __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

01/07/2010, 08:53 PM	#5
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Wow guys thanks for the fast responses! I thought #1 might be feather dusters. To answer some questions, I don't have a refugium and I only take readings around 7pm. The live rock was fully cured.

01/07/2010, 08:56 PM	#6
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	this: or this:

01/08/2010, 08:00 AM	#11
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Hey Guys, I looked up majano and its def not that. I looked up aiptasia and it sort of looks like that but its completely white, and has very thin "branches" and has no stalk at all from what I can see. All the pics of aiptasia had thicker "branches" and had a stalk they were sitting on. Unless they look different when they are younger, I don't think thats what it is. I will try and get a pic but its so small, I'm not sure it will work. Does anyone know of a site that shows a picture of all the creatures you could expect to find on live rock? Maybe I could narrow it down with that.

01/08/2010, 08:31 AM	#12
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Tried to take a pic, but its impossible. Also, I'm even more sure that its not aiptasia. All of the pics I found online have extensions that are kind of wavy, whereas the ones in my tank stand erect, like the feather dusters do but with out the feathery part of the stalk. I guess I will leave them alone for now unless you guys think different. They seem to clamp onto things floating in the water, so maybe that is good?

01/08/2010, 12:40 PM	#15
tengquen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 41	Also, the bubbles were gone this morning, but have returned as of an hour ago. So it still seems like something is "producing" them to me if they are coming and going. I have had my tank for 7 days now and the rocks had bubbles for the first 24 hours, but then had none until yesterday. Strange. Any thoughts?

01/08/2010, 07:14 PM	#16
Elysia Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,718	If the bubbles are not there when the light is off, then it is likely that algae is producing oxygen during photosynthesis. Although I don't know if I have ever seen diatoms do that, most tanks go through a diatom bloom shortly after set up. Likely the rock had air pockets for the first day, and now algae is producing oxygen.