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#1
08-24-2004, 10:01 PM
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Small feather dusters taking over
Greetings All! I've been lurking here for a while and now have a question to ask of you. We have a 120G tank that has been running since the end of January. Over the last couple of months one side of our tank ( which also has lower water flow) is being taken over by the small feather dusters. They are almost covering the rocks, they come up in the brown stars, between the mushrooms, growing on the hammer...everywhere on that side. I never thought I would ask this question (I was soooo excited when they first started appearing)but...is there any way I can keep them from taking over the tank? Current tank inhabitants are a powder blue tang, two false percs, a cleaner gobie, one two-spot gobie, one emerald crab, a peppermint shrimp, a few hermit crabs and snails. You can take a look at these pictures to see what I mean...
http://www3.telus.net/public/dabbler...ters%20004.jpg http://www3.telus.net/public/dabbler...ters%20002.jpg http://www3.telus.net/public/dabbler...ters%20001.jpg Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. Debbie |
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#4
08-25-2004, 05:43 PM
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IMHO, I'd rather have feather dusters everywhere than the pest I have - valonia
 Just wondering if a wrasse will eat your feather dusters? |
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#5
08-25-2004, 07:14 PM
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I had several of them on my rock too, but suddenly the population crashed and all I see now are empty tubes. I don't why they disappeared, I kinda liked them and they did not seem to be a problem.
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I retired and got a fixed income but it's broke. Ed _______________________________________ 50 gallon FOWLR, 10 gallon sump. 130 gallon reef, 20 gallon sump, 10 gallon refugium. 10 gallon quarantine. 60 gallon winter tank for pond fish. 300 gallon pond with waterfall. |
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#6
08-25-2004, 07:21 PM
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As you noticed, they seem to prefer low flow areas. I've also found that they aren't big fans of light, and that they proliferate in the presence of excess organics. So as I see it, you have several options. You can try increasing flow, increasing light (out of interest, what kind of lighting do you have?), cutting down on feedings, or increasing skimming. I believe there is a possibility that a banded coral shrimp will eat them, but perhaps someone can confirm the likelyhood of this event, and of course, you'd want to consider one of these carefully before purchase, as they don't have angelic reputations. Finally, I would venture to say they will not take over your tank, and even if they don't, they don't pose a real threat. In my opinion they're evidence that your tank is doing well.
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-Quinn Man, n. ...His chief occupation is extermination of other animals and his own species, which, however, multiplies with such insistent rapidity as to infest the whole habitable earth, and Canada. - A. Bierce, Devil's Dictionary, 1906 |
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#7
08-25-2004, 09:15 PM
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Thank you for the replies. I do like the feather dusters but they have made it rather difficult to look into the tank from the only side that is viewable (other than the front). I will see what we can do about increasing flow in that area and maybe increase the skimming. To answer the question on lighting we are running 550 watts compact fluorescent at the moment. Again... thank you!
Debbie |
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#8
08-27-2004, 01:43 PM
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one thing to think about also is feather dusters are filter feeders, so you are gaining a heck of an efficient filter system by having them. yes they will grow behind the rock work and against the glass where you have your rocks piled against it. If you want to stop them from growing on the back glass you are going to have to redo your rock to allow a significant amount of flow along that glass. Personally I view them as a sign of a healthy tank and I don't worry about them blocking off my back glass as there are always spaces between them to look through, they never totally block off a area.
Steve
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 *everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
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