detritivores

[Saltpro]

what would be some good detritivores to put in my refugium /sump. Im looking for ones that just eat basically detritus. Since im not using a filter sock any longer im noticing some build up. I really dont want to go back to a sock...although they do work great for that. Everytime i get to a LFS i cant think of what to get. Are crabs good for that at all? I dont want any sand sifting stars. I know they have kits online, is that the only option?

 

[Saltpro]

I dont have any extra pumps in the fuge...maybe i should try that to add more flow. Is this a common problem when not using socks? I wouldnt mind siphoning it out but im still looking for a way to do that easily.

 

[cruzer]

@Saltpro wrote:

yes putting a powerhead in sump will help keep detritus in suspension which will help your protein skimmer catch it. best bet though is the filter sock

 

[Saltpro]

yes i know filter socks do a great job. I dont want to use one becuase i dont want to interfere with pods circulating through the system.

 

[Monti]

Your best bet would be cerith snails, since crabs are predatory and could go after some of your fuge life. But these aren't going to solve your detritus problem. I would look at maybe just putting a powerhead in there and only turn it on every once and awhile. That shouldn't really harm your pods at all.

 

[mukymuk]

No, you can get some good seed material from a fellow reefer. I'd hook you up if you were local. IPSF and inlandaquatics are good.

 

[Saltpro]

@Matt wrote:

Im assuming you mean in the tank itself and not the fuge. Is that correct?

 

[DaveJ]

do you have sand in the sump or are you talking about the crud that collects in the bare bottom sump? Hermits are good for that too. Pods and the like that you would get in a kit online won't put a dent in it.

I also use a shop vac for mine on occasion Just turn the heater and flow off, then drain the sump, vaccum it up and your good to go. Just make sure you wash the hose well before using it.

 

[Saltpro]

@DaveJ wrote:

Yes i do have sand in the refugium section of my sump. Crud seems to collect in there on top and in the sump where it drains. Im not talking like tons of crud, but i can see it and overtime it could become a problem. i was thinking of putting some hermits down there but didnt know if they would do any good.

 

[DaveJ]

@Saltpro wrote:

Yes i do have sand in the refugium section of my sump. Crud seems to collect in there on top and in the sump where it drains. Im not talking like tons of crud, but i can see it and overtime it could become a problem. i was thinking of putting some hermits down there but didnt know if they would do any good."]

If you have sand, a cuke is a good worker, though in a sump, you want to be careful since they will migrate into the other chambers and a cuke and pump don't mix well. If it were me, I'd get myself a couple of 1"-2" conchs, tonga or flordia fighting conchs. Just keep an eye on them and if they clean it up, drop some sinking algae pellets in there from time to time.

 

[Saltpro]

I ended up buying three florida conchs. Put one in tank and two in sump...

 

[DaveJ]

Cool.. did you slowly acclimate them before putting them in? they are neat critters, one of my favorite snails.

 

[Saltpro]

Yes i took time to acclimate them . The water was pretty cool before i got them home. I wasnt really planning on going to the fish stores when i was in Dallas, so i didnt bring my cooler. They seem to be doing fine so far though.

 

[MarcoG]

how are they doing with detritus clean up?

 

[Saltpro]

@unttrmptplyr wrote:

They seem to be helping. there pretty active

 

[Saltpro]

Well im pretty happy with them now that i have had them awhile. I think i may get a couple more. The one in the display tank really goes to town when the lights go off. Always stays out front in the sand.

 

[DaveJ]

They are nice additions... don't be surprised if one goes missing for a period of time. I had one disappear for 3 or 4 months once, thought it was dead and finally went to dig it out of the sand. Found it buried in the corner, alive and well. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I have been told they do that when growing.

 

[Saltpro]

Thanks for the info DaveJ. What do you think about tiger cowrie's? I think they look cool but are they reef safe at all.

 

[DaveJ]

@Saltpro wrote:

Mostly, but they have been known to munch on softies and sponges so watch your zoanthids etc. As far as I know, they don't bother LPS or SPS. They are real tempermental with nitrates though, so you want that under 20ppm for long-term health.

 

[Saltpro]

Thats what i had read to DaveJ. Just was wanting someone that had some experience to chime in. I will probably skip them then. My tank is mostly softies due to my location or lack of lfs. I just like all the different creatures and interest they create.