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gerbilbox

Detritus eaters?

Rating: 2 votes, 5.00 average.
9 Comments
by
gerbilbox
, 09-07-2011 at 02:59 AM (9645 Views)
I cleaned out the AquaFuge HOB refugium of the detritus that's been accumulating for the past 4 months, and it was much worse than I thought. It was a silt-like layer of grey dirt that lined the bottom of the 'fuge. All that detritus might have been feeding the small patches of cyanobacteria and hair algae in my tank, so hopefully the cleaning will take care of it.

On one hand, I'm glad that it's been collecting in the 'fuge instead of the main tank, but then again it's a sign that I need to manage detritus better. I'm thinking of introducing some detritus eaters into the 'fuge but I'm actually not sure which ones. I previously avoided the cerith snails because they were either from Florida or their origins were unknown (my tank has an Indo-Pacific theme). They could still go into the refugium since they would be in the display area. Any suggestions?

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Comments

  1. DJ in WV's Avatar
    mini brittle star, maybe sand sifting star, cucumbers, would definitely throw in a few Nassarius snails
  2. DJ in WV's Avatar
    The following species are also mentioned as names in current use by the Indo-Pacific Molluscan Database [14]

  3. DJ in WV's Avatar
    heres a link to a dealer that sells Indo-Pacific stuff http://www.ipsf.com/reeftanktuneup.html
  4. Jato460's Avatar
    The sand sifting star makes my sand very clean. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...572&pcatid=572
  5. gerbilbox's Avatar
    I neglected to mention that I have a 15g nano tank, so something like a sea cucumber or a sand sifting star would be like unleashing Godzilla onto city. The Aquafuge refugium is even smaller, about 13" x 4" x 12", so let's stick to small invertebrates. The Indo-Pacific them is kind of irrelevant if they are going into the 'fuge.

    My understanding of nassarius snails is that they go after carrion and uneaten food, and they don't go after detritus much if at all. My Super Tongan Nassarius seems most active when I drop pellets into the water. I've ordered from IPSF before and I like them but the cost is currently outside my budget for the near term. Maybe again in the future.

    Is there a mini brittle star species that consumes detritus? I have loads of mini brittle stars but they don't seem to do anything to the detritus, at least not significantly. I only see them stick out their legs at night as if they're filter feeding.
  6. DJ in WV's Avatar
    I have a few differnt kinds in my fug the white ones seem to stay in the sand bed more than the others. I would think any would if there was no rock to hide in
  7. gerbilbox's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DJ in WV
    I have a few differnt kinds in my fug the white ones seem to stay in the sand bed more than the others. I would think any would if there was no rock to hide in
    Are you talking about mini brittle stars?
  8. DJ in WV's Avatar
    yea micro or mini brittle stars
  9. gerbilbox's Avatar
    I just discovered Pacific East Aquaculture, which does sell Pacific invertebrates...well Sea of Cortez is close enough. No mini brittle stars, but I'm gonna check out their Ceriths as soon as they have them in stock again.