brittle star question

[azaintcold]

Is a brittle star hardy enough to add to a new tank as part of the original clean up crew after cycling, or is it best to wait until the tank is well established like the rest of the stars out there?

 

[nereef]

i would wait, since parameters in a new tank can be all over the place.

 

[odglock19]

Im not saying you shouldn't wait because that's usually the right thing to do but I put a sand sifting star in my tank and its only a little over 3 weeks old and he's been doing just fine i acclimated him for over 3 hours but other than that no problems.....

 

[azaintcold]

Thanks for both of your input. It is a 150 gallon with over 150 #'s of LR. Does this make a difference in anyone's opinion?

 

[odglock19]

Originally Posted by azaintcold
Thanks for both of your input. It is a 150 gallon with over 150 #'s of LR. Does this make a difference in anyone's opinion?
I'm no expert but i say if you feel your cycle is complete then test your water for maybe 3 or 4 days like twice a day to see if anything jumps up and if it doesn't than you should be good to go....but i can only go by what I have done and talked to others about....good luck in whatever you decide to do... drip acclimate the star for a good longtime though if you decide to add him...again good luck.

 

[azaintcold]

Sounds like the safe bet would be just to wait. Thanks again!

 

[reefreak29]

need to wait at least 3 to 6 months

 

[ophiura]

I would wait. Seastars and relatives are some of the most delicate when it comes to osmotic balance. These parameters are changing dramatically in a new tank but you do not test for it. Similarly, your skills as a hobbyist must develop in keeping parameters stable.
As an aside, I would never, ever recommend a sand sifting star as most will starve in all but the largest tanks (with open sand beds) in about a year. In addition, they eat beneficial creatures in a sand bed.

 

[aztec reef]

i would wait too, the reason is your sandbed is new and has little biodiversity and if you put in the Star now your sandbed will not work properly from the get go. it's best to let your sandbed mature a bit and critters multiply and colonize for a while. Or else the Star will eat on all the beneficial critter that aerate and eat detrius off the sandbeds which in return give you Whitesands...

 

[azaintcold]

Thanks again. I know about the sand sifting star, ophiura, appreciate it. I'm going to do one brittle and a linkia in my 150 reef. I knew i had to wait for the later of the two, but was unsure on the brittle because it is considered hardier. Thanks for everyones input, I will enjoy the snails and a shrimp or two in the mean time.