Red "Powder" coming from Liverock

[bridgette_rae8]

Great, I will look into the Cerith Snails this weekend. I think I'm going to go get some RO/DI salt water tonight to do a partial water change so I'll look at what they have while I'm there! I'm sure a few more hermits would hurt either...

 

[meowzer]

I would not get a sand sifting star...most starve in smaller aquariums, and yours is definitely not old (established) enough

 

[bridgette_rae8]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3138763
I would not get a sand sifting star...most starve in smaller aquariums, and yours is definitely not old (established) enough
Alright, thanks for letting me know, I'll just go with the hermits/snails for now and maybe a goby in a few weeks...thanks!

 

[btldreef]

I had 2 Sand Sifting Star Fish in my 40G, which is only 4 gallons larger than yours and had no problem with them. They starve in tanks that don't have fish. If you have fish, and you're feeding the fish, they should not starve. They're not necessary to a CUC, but at least they eat diatoms, something Nassarius Snails are not going to do.
It's all up to what you want, but get a goby.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3138949
I had 2 Sand Sifting Star Fish in my 40G, which is only 4 gallons larger than yours and had no problem with them. They starve in tanks that don't have fish. If you have fish, and you're feeding the fish, they should not starve. They're not necessary to a CUC, but at least they eat diatoms, something Nassarius Snails are not going to do.
It's all up to what you want, but get a goby.
LOL...I think you just want to disagree with me.....seems we have had or read opposits on everything

How old was your 40G before you put the stars in there????

 

[bridgette_rae8]

What kind of lighting do stars need? I have a Coralife Compact with 1 65 watt actinic and 1 65 watt 10,000 daylight and blue led moon lights.

 

[bridgette_rae8]

I went to my LFS yesterday and got some RO/DI salt water, did a 10% water change. It seems to be helping with the bloom already. I also checked all the levels before I did the water change to make sure everything was on track and everything was 0 and my ph was 8.2. It's getting there!

 

[spanko]

In my reading, no real life experience to share, sand sifting starfish and sand sifting gobies will eventually;
Kill off the micro fauna in your sand bed leaving it essentially dead.
Die eventually from starvation.
Please do read up some more before you decide to purchase one of these critters for your tank.

 

[bridgette_rae8]

I am, that's why I'm asking questions. I havn't decided to add either or anything at this point. Actually I'm going to wait a while before adding more to my tank to make sure that everything is doing ok as it is. Thanks for the concern though^

 

[small triggers]

<- sand sifting star experiance, BAD i had one in my 35g for almost a year then it started to deteriorate. They feed on the fauna in the sand, (having NOTHING to do with having fish or inverts in the tank) because man oh man did i have enough fish in that tank, which is why i now have a 150g,,,
The only really important thing i noticed is that of course you need that powerhead you are getting (and maybe another one) and some more cured liverock, that one piece is probably not giving you enough beneficial space,,,and the inhabitants usually like somewhere to hide. The normal ratio is about 1-1.5 lbs per gallon of water.

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3138953
LOL...I think you just want to disagree with me.....seems we have had or read opposits on everything

How old was your 40G before you put the stars in there????
LOL .. I've learned in this hobby that everything is up to what happens in your own tank. I can only give advice based on what I've experienced. Not trying to argue at all.
I actually but my starfish in immediately.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3139676
LOL .. I've learned in this hobby that everything is up to what happens in your own tank. I can only give advice based on what I've experienced. Not trying to argue at all.
I actually but my starfish in immediately.
LOL...I was also kidding