urchin?

[trainman]

I bought a red sea urchin about a week ago, he has been really cleaning up my rocks. But tonight I have noticed that he has lost some of his spines, from what I can tell, this means I have high nitrates and some bad water quality. I can fix these over the next few days, but does anyone know if the poor water quality will kill him fast, before i get it better.

 

[trainman]

SG is bout 1.025, and nitrates are over 40

 

[nanomantis]

Poor water quality can kill them fast, and 40 is starting to get up there.

 

[trainman]

i moved him to my reef tank, nitrates were around 5ish in that tank, he is eating and has moved alittle. will his spikes that he lost regrow. sg in that tank is 1.025 also.

 

[ophiura]

Yes, they will regrow if water parameters are ideal. 40, IMO, is not catastrophically high, and so slow and steady is the best approach for it.

 

[sanchoy]

What do urchins eat anyway? Algae? or just waste..