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[dees]

Hi, I'm new to the marine aquarium world. So far, no problems and we've had the tank about 6 months. However, about 2 months ago we purchase a hunk of live rock. Now, all of a sudden I've notice some creatures that I KNOW I didn't buy. They look like long worms that somewhat resemble a centipede. Are they safe for the tank?
Also, I purchase a Green Star Polyp this last Sunday. It is now Thursday and he hasn't come out of his shell. Is this normal. We have a Chocolate Chip Starfish. Could he have hurt the polyp in some way?
And, should I turn my tank light off at night? The fish don't seem to like the light off and either hang at the bottom of the tank or hide in the live rock.
Thanks for any help or suggestions you can give!!!
Dee

 

[ol'salty]

First of all welcome to the board!! What kind of lighting do you have? This could be the reason your polyp isn't opening i believe. And yes you have to turn your lights off at night. They need to be on a pretty strict schedule to imitate nature. Most peep run around 10-12 hours on a day depending on algea. The light running all the time could affect the polyp too i guess.

 

[dees]

I believe they are just two 25 watt bulbs (standard aquarium bulbs).
Turning off my light isn't going to hurt the fish? They just seem so sluggish - is that normal?
Please excuse my stupidity. Still have alot to learn!

 

[teresaq]

cc stars are not reef safe, and will eat corals.
what is not coming out of shell. green star polyps dont have a shell, they are a matt attached to rock. :notsure: the worms are likely brissle worms, they ae find. they help clean up your tank

 

[teresaq]

when your lights are off, your fish go to sleep. you should have your lights on during the day, and off at night.
you really dont have enough light to suport corals. if you can more it as clost to the light as you can, it may help.

 

[teresaq]

oh, I guess i should have started with WELCOME. this is a great place to learn. The search button at the top is a great help. also the archives has tons of info. you can read for days

 

[leftyblite]

Welcome to the boards.

The worm is probably a brsitle worm, it is beneficial to your tank. I noticed mine a couple of months ago when I moved some rock. It was about a foot long(this is small compared to some of the others I've heard about on this and other websites). Mine helps keep my sand really clean. You might notice other creatures too. I also had a baby crab that for a few days only my daughter could see since he was so small. As far as lights, I keep mine on a timer for approx 10 hours a day. The fish usually within an hour after turning lights off go to there resting spots. A good book that you might want to get that has been invaluable to me and quite a few others here is The Conscientous Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner. Plus this website is an awesome tool for help and opinions. Please don't be afraid to ask any question you might have. All of us were new at some time. Good luck!!! :happyfish :happyfish

 

[dees]

Thanks! I will get the book. The kids (3 boys) and I are having a ball with this tank.
You're right about this site being good for info. I had a Lettuce Slug who accidently got sucked into the filter. I just read about someone else on this site who had the same problem. It sounds like you need alot of algae for them to eat and if you don't, they'll try to eat it off the filter. I wanted to get another one, but now I'm questioning the wisdom. They are awfully cute, though. "Lenny" always looked like he had a smile on his face. The boys were broken hearted.

 

[teresaq]

the lettus slugs eat bryopsis alge, so if you dont have that type they will dye. try doing a search here for a sea hare. they are pretty cool too. my daughter loves them. they look like shrek.

 

[rbrockm1]

those worm like things are more than likely bristle worms. they help eat some of the extra food in the tank. the star polps need medium to high lighting. well welcome to the boards. any ?s you got we can answer. if i were you i would trust this board more than my lfs, but thats from some of my experiences

 

[dees]

Teresa, Thanks for the info on the sea hare. This site doesn't seem to have any, but I'll keep seaching.
I obviously don't know the correct terminology for some of these creatures and what they are made up of, but my polyp is attached to a small rock and the "flowers" seem to hide in small hard tubes when frightened. The "flowers" are what won't come out - not like when it was at the pet store.
I wish I knew about the chocolate chip star before I bought him. The pet store didn't warn us. He is probably what killed my first little anemone. I might have to deport him to another small tank I set up for some hermit crabs that were brought home from North Carolina.
I'm also disappointed about the Lettuce Slug, he really was cute! And, again, the pet store didn't warn us. This site should really come in handy - I'm glad I found it!
Thanks again!
Dee

 

[teresaq]

most to all corals need good lights. normal floresent bulbs will not suport them. move it really close to your light. It may make it, but likely not. What size tank do you have?

 

[dees]

Very small - 20 gal. It started out because my husband and I brought home some small hermit crabs from North Carolina thinking . . . well, they won't live. HAH! The suckers won't die and continue to get larger, so we've moved them to a tank of their own because I think they were killing the other small hermits and a couple of fiddlers that we brought back, too. I know, I know - shouldn't have brought them home. Too late - I'm in Ohio and as much as I'd like to take them back, they'll have to wait until next summer.
I'm going to check out getting a brighter light system for the 20 gal. tank.

 

[teresaq]

please dont return them to the wild. do a search here on the subject. you can return sickness to the wild.
you will love new lights and you can keep lots of softies with just a pc fixture.
how long is a 20 gal? looking in my catolog you can get a nice 24 inch unit for 70 to 135 bucks.

 

[dees]

I'm not at home, but my gues would be that it is at least 24 inches. What is a "pc" fixture? My husband is an electrician so I'm sure he knows.
The crabs seem to be quite happy in their separate tank (and growing larger every day). I just read online that you shouldn't keep them, that I should return them to the spot where we found them. But, what you say makes sense. I guess if they're happy and eating, I shouldn't worry.
Thanks for your help!!! I'm quite addicted to my tank!

 

[teresaq]

give me an e-mail some time for more info
m0m24@earthlink dot net
pc-power compact
vho-very high output
mh metal halide
t5 high out put florescent