fjdog Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Happy holidays everyone and sorry I was not able to make the party. I have been searching for a couple of good detritus-eating critters to keep up with all of the droppings from my turbo snails, but come up with lots of pros and cons for each one? What are the PNWMAS member opinions on adding the following in a fish/invert/soft coral tank? I've been vacuuming the top of the sand during water changes, but would like to do this less often! Serpent stars Brittle stars Micro brittle stars (like those sold by liveaquatix.com) Bristle worms Nassarius snails Bumble bee snails Any others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 I think bumble bee snails eat other snails...not sure though. Just get a bunch of nassa snails, and they'll keep your sand bed clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Serpent stars are good I stay away from 'brittle stars'. Micro brittle stars and bristle worms will help also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippin61 Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I think bumble bee snails eat other snails...not sure though. Just get a bunch of nassa snails' date=' and they'll keep your sand bed clean.[/quote'] never had an issue with mine. they just cruise the rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I like my tigertail cucumber. ( I think thats right, could be just tiger) brown with lighter colored spikes. he does good work and no problems. started with one, now I have four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Bumble Bees are whelks and do prey on other snails IME. Cerith snails are good. Naussarius are also good. Bristle worms do a fine job, just ugly. Kinda depends on what else is in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I like my tigertail cucumber. ( I think thats right' date=' could be just tiger) brown with lighter colored spikes. he does good work and no problems. started with one, now I have four.[/quote'] x2 on this one. I had problems until I got one now dont see anything like I used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Generally the smaller the better! Never had a problem with any save for a couple large hermits killing snails off for their shells. Some large snails also can be buldozers and urchins can do the same as well as become a mobile fragging unit. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronjunior Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Generally the smaller the better! Never had a problem with any save for a couple large hermits killing snails off for their shells. Some large snails also can be bulldozers and urchins can do the same as well as become a mobile fragging unit. Garrett Could use a little superglue and make snail mods mixed with matchbox cars parts. Put some scoops off the machinery in the front and shovels or grading in the back to put them to work properly. I'll try to make a moch up tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Bristleworms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjdog Posted December 21, 2007 Author Share Posted December 21, 2007 Are bristleworms all pretty much safe except for the fireworm with the big red bristles? I had one that my lfs gave me but I chickened out on putting it in the tank because it was about 2-3 inches and I heard so many bad things about the bristleworms. After more reading, it looks like there is mainly one species that causes problems with corals. I may be wierd, but I think they are pretty cool looking myself! Here's a picture of what I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Those are the good ones IMO. I have lots!!! Ceriths are great for sand and rocks, nassarius for sand, and astreas do great on the glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Are bristleworms all pretty much safe except for the fireworm with the big red bristles? I had one that my lfs gave me but I chickened out on putting it in the tank because it was about 2-3 inches and I heard so many bad things about the bristleworms. After more reading' date=' it looks like there is mainly one species that causes problems with corals. I may be wierd, but I think they are pretty cool looking myself! Here's a picture of what I had.[/quote'] I have lots of those, no issues. I guess if I fed ultra low then they may prey on other things but feeding is a daily thing around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 I don't think my bubble bees have bothered any of my other snails, but it's hard to be sure in 180g. My green brittle star ate a few of my sleeping chromis, so I tossed it in the sump, and it does well in there (but I'd never put one in a main tank!). My bristle stars do a great job and I LOVE my tigertail cuke. It's gotten very long now. Seems to prefer one side of my tank, but it's out every night vacuuming through the sand =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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