Help with snails and shrimp

[ashjian]

Hi,
I'm a third grade teacher in Westborough, MA. I maintain a 180 salt water reef tank in our elementary building. I am a novice at this, and I've made a ton of mistakes, but I have managed to keep the system up and quite healthy.
Two questions that I could use some advice on:
First, I cannot seem to keep snails and shrimp alive for very long. I am wondering if my 12 inch (tip to tip) green brittle star is eating them or there is some other issue affecting them?
Second, I have a 2-3 hundred dollars to spend on the aquarium. Any suggestions on what Internet company I should do business with?
I am a person who would welcome, and appreciate, some guidance.
Many thanks!
Tom

 

[nycbob]

we r not allow to give competing websites on this site. did u temp acclimate ur inverts? inverts r sensitive to temps or specific gravity difference. r there hermits in ur tank? they could eat them too. good luck!

 

[b-baby80]

I would suggest this site for your order

Also you may want to watch any temperature fluctuations.That will cause snails to drop and die.
Are you keeping your calcium and everything in check?
Maybe give us your latest water readings.It could have something to do with it.
Also what fish do you have?One of your fish may not be invert safe.

 

[ashjian]

Thanks for the help.
Our aquarium does unfortunately go through a rise in temperature in the summer when it takes on the ambient building temperature of the school which is quite warm. I know the custodians sweat like dogs all summer.
As for fish, right now we have 1 yellow tang, 1 purple tang, 1 hippo tang, 3 percula clowns, 2 tomato clowns, 1 flame angel, 3 green chromis, and 1 royal gramma. We also have a huge brittle star, a small slate pencil urchin, some small hermits, and I would guess 5-7 astria snails.
I have been trying to find someone locally to come and see the tank and give me some direction and guidance. Another big issue for me is that all the corals that have thrived are reds, browns, and maroons. consequently the whole reef is that color and almost devoid or other contrasting colors.
My goal is to provide as much color, size, shape, and species varation as possible for the students. Thanks!

 

[b-baby80]

I'm kinda new so i could be off but i think 13 fish are plenty.So 5 of those are clown species?You may want to watch them but if their doing o.k. It's probably o.k.You didn't mention your lighting or if you have tested your water?What do you add?Do you does iodine?calcium?Anything like that?The temp fluctuations are probably why you can only keep certain corals and why your inverts keep dying.I don't think any of your fish are the kulprit.I think their all o.k.You may want to look into getting a chiller for the tank.that way the temp doesn't fluctuate so much

If you can give us more info.I'm sure we can get this figured out

 

[mie]

Also pay close attention to the clowns they will eventually start establishing dominince and territory's, and that will end up in fighting and death.

 

[mcbdz]

Welcome to SWF.
If you can list where you are from there maybe one of our members that is close by and can help you out in person. You could also do a search and find your local reef club. Someone there may help you out and even help out with some frags.

 

[b-baby80]

She said Westborough, MA

Originally Posted by mcbdz

Welcome to SWF.
If you can list where you are from there maybe one of our members that is close by and can help you out in person. You could also do a search and find your local reef club. Someone there may help you out and even help out with some frags.

 

[ophiura]

It is critical to know the parameters.
Snails and shrimp and all inverts are quite delicate and sensitive to water quality. We really need to start there.
I think you may also need to look into getting a chiller...perhaps someone can donate one...it is really a concern that it gets so warm in the summer.

 

[ashjian]

First, thanks to all who have read my post, and to those who took the time to reply. Let me start with a confession. I'm pretty much a salt water dolt! Being a scuba diver, I wanted to bring a part of the ocean to our students. About 5 years ago I wrote a grant and installed a 180g with the idea that an outside company would maintain it. NOT! We could not find a company so I reluctantly took on the job. I have educated myself only to the extent that it has made me dangerous. My regular classroom duties, the extra-curricular events I run, and my own three children (and their schedules) really restrict the time and energy I can devote to the aquarium. I am trying righ now to work with two gentleman from a group called the Boston Reefers here in MA and hopefully get some guidance. It seems like the tank has a ton of potential but I can't get it to the next level.
I will post some better parameters as soon as possible. Again, thanks for the help, advice, and patience. I'm sure guys like me drive you nuts!

 

[nick76]

Welcome

Ok well starting off...
We need to know how the system itself is doing.
What is your Salinity? Nitrites? Nitrates? and Ammonia levels?
What are you using for Filtration?
Most brittle star species are harmless... however in your case yes your Green Brittle star is probably devouring anything can catch, at that size that species is know to become carnivorous.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by Nick76
Welcome

Ok well starting off...
We need to know how the system itself is doing.
What is your Salinity? Nitrites? Nitrates? and Ammonia levels?
What are you using for Filtration?
Most brittle star species are harmless... however in your case yes your Green Brittle star is probably devouring anything can catch, at that size that species is know to become carnivorous.
I agree. The only way we can help is if you can give us a lot of info. Please re-post some info that you've already given so we can use this as reference.
1. Tank size
2. Age
3. Stock list (fish and inverts and any coral you might have)
4. Equipment (sump, skimmer, filters, powerheads, lights, heaters, salinity verification device... everything)
5. Pounds of Live Rock
6. Inches of Live Sand
7. Cleaning schedule (water changes, perhaps you can tell us how you perform them as there's certainly a right way to do it)
8. Water Source do you use tap
9. Salt brand
10. Temperature range/fluctuations (ex 76-82 degrees)
11. Ammonia
12. Nitrite
13. Nitrate
14. Phosphate
15. pH
16. Alkalinity
17. Calcium
18. Magnesium
19. Pictures
20. Salinity or Specific Gravity level
21. Top off routein
Keep in mind you can bring a water sample in to your Local Fish Store and they'll check your parameters just make sure you get a number from them not just a "looks good." IMO if this is in school you should have these tests and show the kids. Don't know if there are any chemical regs that may make any of these kits "illegal" to have in school. In the meantime you should read Fenner's book the Conscientious Marine Aquarist. It's difficult to successfully keep a salt water aquarium without reading that book.

 

[ophiura]

I disagree on the brittlestar - lets not perpetuate hype. It is a known predator, but this does not in any way mean it is responsible for the loss of these animals. I would highly doubt it, personally...and I have several very large green brittlestars.

 

[nick76]

Originally Posted by ophiura
I disagree on the brittlestar - lets not perpetuate hype. It is a known predator, but this does not in any way mean it is responsible for the loss of these animals. I would highly doubt it, personally...and I have several very large green brittlestars.
and thats why shes the expert