CUC dieing, some advice please, newbie on board

Zoaelite · #1 05-01-2010, 09:32 PM

Has the tank ever been treated with Copper?

don.ald · #2 05-01-2010, 10:58 PM

there may have been something wrong with the crabs prior to putting them into your system. i would think that the crabs, if healthy to begin with, would have eaten the snails before starving.
just a thought

horteco · #3 05-02-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don.ald

there may have been something wrong with the crabs prior to putting them into your system. i would think that the crabs, if healthy to begin with, would have eaten the snails before starving.
just a thought

donald

yes that was also the thought of a LFS I trust. He thought if they were weak to begin with there may have been a disease that took over. But his main thought also was that they starved. I have read that the crabs will kill snails for there shells. The snails I bought are alot bigger than the crabs. I don't know if that makes a difference.

I really didn't think that I would have been sold something (really an obvious NEWBIE) without being told that I may have to supplement the food supply. I would have happily bought food for them. I guess I chaulk this one up to lesson #1 GO SLOW AND TRUST YOUR SOURCE

Thanks for your input.

Myka · #4 05-02-2010, 12:56 AM

Hmmm, this is interesting. It doesn't make sense...unless we are missing some sort of pertinent information (that you may or may not realize lol). The hermits eat algae mainly, and should start killing snails if they are starving to death. As well, it should take longer than a week for the hermits to starve to death. If copper was the culprit it should kill the snails too, and probably be quicker than a week. My guess is that you may never know what killed them.

I agree that you should try to return 6-8 snails. While the tank is new you will not need very many critters to clean up. As you stock your tank, you will probably need to slowly add a few more critters here and there. A Fighting/Strawberry/Orange Lip Conch (sand sifting bivalve) would be a good candidate for your tank in 4-6 months when the sandbed has matured.

Zoaelite · #5 05-02-2010, 01:24 AM

Agreed with Myka but to many people are supporting this 1 critter per gallon CUC rule and it's way over board.

IMO don't but hermits again they are not reef tank safe, now that your cycle is completed some blenny or goby and a few snails will work well for algae control.

I'm a little baffled about the crabs though as hermits are far from finicky. I was helping Colby @ elite clean out all of the old snail shells from his tanks and I missed 3-4 live hermits out of a whole pail, after rinsing with BOILING hot water a few times and letting it sit for 2 days I found live hermits chilling on the top.

horteco · #6 05-02-2010, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Agreed with Myka but to many people are supporting this 1 critter per gallon CUC rule and it's way over board.

IMO don't but hermits again they are not reef tank safe, now that your cycle is completed some blenny or goby and a few snails will work well for algae control.

I'm a little baffled about the crabs though as hermits are far from finicky. I was helping Colby @ elite clean out all of the old snail shells from his tanks and I missed 3-4 live hermits out of a whole pail, after rinsing with BOILING hot water a few times and letting it sit for 2 days I found live hermits chilling on the top.

zoaElite

I guess the information I have been gathering is wrong. I was under the impression that crabs were reef safe. The LFS employee did know that I wanted a reef tank. I don't blame the employee of the LFS, he too has been misinformed. Unfortunately he was wrong not only about the numbers of CUC needed but also what criters were reef safe.

I'm glad I didn't add the 1 per gal. that the LFS employee and other sources recommended.

I do like gobys so maybe in the near future I'll be able to get one.

I think this forum will be a good source of information for future purchases.

Thats incredible that those hermits lived through that cleanup process. youch!!! boling hot water.

Thanks again

horteco · #7 05-02-2010, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Hmmm, this is interesting. It doesn't make sense...unless we are missing some sort of pertinent information (that you may or may not realize lol). The hermits eat algae mainly, and should start killing snails if they are starving to death. As well, it should take longer than a week for the hermits to starve to death. If copper was the culprit it should kill the snails too, and probably be quicker than a week. My guess is that you may never know what killed them.

I agree that you should try to return 6-8 snails. While the tank is new you will not need very many critters to clean up. As you stock your tank, you will probably need to slowly add a few more critters here and there. A Fighting/Strawberry/Orange Lip Conch (sand sifting bivalve) would be a good candidate for your tank in 4-6 months when the sandbed has matured.

Myka

Being new to the hobby, it is very likely I've missed something. I sure hope I didn't, but...

The hermits appeared to be eating what ever they could find. It seems though that the tank was cleaned up so fast that the amount of cleanup crew recommended was to high. Now I'm scrambling to make sure the remaining snails don't die.

The snails are cruising around the tank so fast, the crabs may not have been able to catch them.

The fighting conch sounds like a great addition.( in the future)

Thanks for your advice I will for suren take it slow from here on.

Myka · #8 05-02-2010, 03:15 AM

Ya, it is a shame that so many LFS will sell unsuitable critters to people (whether they are naive or not). Another shame is selling critters without asking questions about the tank to make sure the critter is a good match. Some people don't like the LFS people to ask questions, but I think it is important in the big picture (save the reefs rah rah rah lol).

Btw, hermits are kind of reef-safe. They can cause troubles, and many people either aren't aware or think their pro are better than their cons.

Marlin65 · #9 05-02-2010, 03:29 AM

Crabs are opportunistic feed them enough they will be fine starve them they will eat your LPS, Zoe's what ever they need to stay alive. I think you got way to many clean up crew to start with. They staved to death. just cut it back to a few and maybe dump in a bit more food. It is a matter of finding a balance. I only have one crab and two snails in my 75.

horteco · #10 05-02-2010, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Ya, it is a shame that so many LFS will sell unsuitable critters to people (whether they are naive or not). Another shame is selling critters without asking questions about the tank to make sure the critter is a good match. Some people don't like the LFS people to ask questions, but I think it is important in the big picture (save the reefs rah rah rah lol).

Btw, hermits are kind of reef-safe. They can cause troubles, and many people either aren't aware or think their pro are better than their cons.

Myka

I sure wish they would have asked me questions. Although they did sell me the tank, and knew it had just finished cycling, and that I wanted a recommendation on what should be the 1st new entry to the tank. I was definately naive, I trusted they knew what I should do next and I regret it.

On a positive note. I put in some seaweed this afternoon in case the snails were hungry. Just took a look at my tank and three hermits have appeared. They are barely moving, one is on the seaweed eating(yeahhhh)
The other two are getting closer very slowly. I tried to help one to get closer and that spooked him ( it made a weak attempt at finding a hiding spot),so I think I better leave them alone.

If any of them live I will keep a close eye on them to see if they leave my corals alone.