Starfish??

[fishfatty]

Okay...my tank has been up and running for 4 months, or maybe a little longer. Im going to start using RO water for my next water change.( i know i should have been) But, I have this bad red algae problem, which I know is probably from using tap water. I have 5 hermits, and a cleaner shrimp for my fish. I know i could maybe use some more hermits, and snails too. I was possibly going to buy a cucumber for my sand bed. My question is, Could I buy a starfish for my tank? Theres A TON of algae, and the LR has lots of buble algae. My tank has proved to be very stable since I can remeber last.
Please, anyone, tell me your opinion. Can I get a starfish? Thanks!

 

[fishfatty]

hurry

 

[blue00si]

Buy some turbo snails. I have read and been told that starfish will sometimes eat you fish and inverts.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by FishFatty
Can I get a starfish? Thanks!

Definitely not. Fix the algae problem while your tank establishes more.

 

[alyssia]

Your tank is too new for a star.

 

[debbie]

Yes like posted above. Your tank should be a min of 6 months old before adding a star. Then you want to do your "homework" first before getting any star. Starfish will not eat the algae alone some are meat eaters, some need live rock for food source so do yourself a huge favor as well as the stars and wait a bit longer. Get a handle on the algaes you have going there and then post and ask questions regarding the stars.
You should also do a search on the forum here for stars and read as many posts as you can. Lots of info out there and very helpful people here to that can help. Ophiura is one person that is very knowledable regarding stars.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by Debbie
Yes like posted above. Your tank should be a min of 6 months old before adding a star. Then you want to do your "homework" first before getting any star. Starfish will not eat the algae alone some are meat eaters, some need live rock for food source so do yourself a huge favor as well as the stars and wait a bit longer. Get a handle on the algaes you have going there and then post and ask questions regarding the stars.
You should also do a search on the forum here for stars and read as many posts as you can. Lots of info out there and very helpful people here to that can help. Ophiura is one person that is very knowledable regarding stars.

Nicely said. Stars are very delicate and if your tank doesn't meet the needs of the star you pick it will die.

 

[debbie]

Thanks Alyssia, I am no expert but I made an error with a star and a urchin and don't want to see others do the same. I feel that all these "saltwater" creatures should be cherished. I pay dearly for all corals, rock and fish here. Everything has to be shipped into our LFS so it certainly is not like the freshwater selections we get.

 

[fishfatty]

Alright...thanks everyone!!! I did purchase 3 large margarita snails today from the LFS. I think I will have the algae problem under control once i clean it up, and start using RO water! Thanks everyone for your help all the time!

 

[debbie]

Originally Posted by FishFatty
Alright...thanks everyone!!! I did purchase 3 large margarita snails today from the LFS. I think I will have the algae problem under control once i clean it up, and start using RO water! Thanks everyone for your help all the time!

Your welcome. Do post any questions you may have. Lots of good help here.....