sugabeatz

So I am not sure what to do in regards to all of the critters that I have on my live rock. What exactly are these things eating? I have no fish or clean up crew at this point. The tank has been running for one week, and I already know that I have brittle stars, black sea urchins, spaghetti worms, tube corals, coral cups, sponges, and one aiptasia (which I ordered stuff to kill it). I also had a Cirolanid Isopod (which I scooped out and flushed and am hoping there is no more!) I do not want these things to die, and do not understand where they are getting their nutrients from. I probably won't add anything for maybe another week or two and then it will only be like 2 blue hermits and 2astreia snail. Is there really enough in the water for all of these critters to eat until I get some more waste producing livestock in there? The tank is a 5 gallon with 5 pounds live sand and 8.5 pounds live rock.

Attached Images

	PA211065.JPG (518.0 KB, 122 views)
	PA181036.JPG (477.2 KB, 114 views)
	PA160983.JPG (555.5 KB, 113 views)

Slug

They eat the stuff on the rock we can't see. Micro algaes, micro organisms, etc. The feather dusters should be fine. Theres plenty for all of them to eat. Its a whole other world down there!

Mystic54

I just wanted to comment and say that I love your pico tank! I've been thinking of setting my own 5 gallon reef tank up, but lately I have been too busy with college. It looks great! Good luck on it!

Kamie427

I love that spotlight!! Very attention grabbing!

Gouramiguy17

I have been wanting to do something like that, setting up a 5 gallon and add live rock and sand and see what grows and let it grow

sgould

Wow...sounds like you got a great crop of rock! Where did you get it?

reefdude

I love hitchhikers! On LR that is... its so exciting to see new stuff grow in your tank that you didn't intentionally put in I had the same worm looking things on my LR when I bought it, I'm guessing you got it from a LFS. either that a close dealer. Anyway, back to your question. Definitely get rid of the aptasia, it is the weed of coral farmers. As far as the other unknowns, I was told by very reputible folks at my LFS to let them grow to see what it is before you snuff it. I replied "well what if I can't identify it?" They all said (I ask different people on different trips there) if it's not hurting your tank, leave it be. I've had that same looking thing in my tank for almost 8 months. Every now and again when the lunar lights go own I see a pink and purple worm looking thing come out, not for very long though. I've also adopted an urchine and some very small starfish. Point is, if it poses no immediate threat to your tank, let it be and look for it, especially when its lights out! Oh, almost forgot, they eat what slug said.