Anyone keep urchins in their reef tank?

[Smite]

I'm a pretty lazy reefer. My coraline algae is unstoppable! Would a sea urchin be a good addition to my sps dominant tank? Would it really make an impact on my coraline? I think they are pretty interesting inverts.

I know a downside is they can topple/separate rock scapes but mine is cemented together for the most part. Any other downsides I should be aware of before I add one? Any specific types to avoid?

I'm considering at a blue or red tuxedo right now but do like the look of the long spine type.

 

[pga7602]

I keep 1 and my wife has 3nin her display. It's really not good for Coraline because the urchin will pulverize the algae causing it to be spread even faster. I actually think an urchin is a good way to spread Coraline if you like it

Just curious, how the Coraline affecting your reef?

 

[minus9]

I keep 3 tuxedo urchins in my 90g and really like them for the most part. Only drawback is them taking things for a ride. I had a few loose zoas and they seem to find them and cover themselves with them. They are the only thing I found that work well with turf algae, but turbos and my foxface are a close 2nd. If you have the room, long spines are a little better than tuxedos and they don't take half your tank for a ride. Either way, make sure fresh frags are firmly planted.


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[kidA]

They are fantastic eaters to keep coraline under control as well as other algae. Got mine from algae barn and they grew fast but not too big. As others have stated they will take loose rock and frags for a ride if not glued down.


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[laverda]

I have 5 different urchins in my tank including a long spine, pin cushion and tuxedo. The long spine is probably 10" from tip to tip and knocks any frag not glued or encrusted over.

 

[Smite]

I keep 1 and my wife has 3nin her display. It's really not good for Coraline because the urchin will pulverize the algae causing it to be spread even faster. I actually think an urchin is a good way to spread Coraline if you like it

Just curious, how the Coraline affecting your reef?

Good to know, I think my coraline is spread just about everywhere possible though.

No real negative effect. Its all over my back wall and I'm on my way to go BB so it'll be taking over that as well soon. I can't help but wonder how many trace elements its sucking up with its growth. Could be the rocks but something is soaking up magnesium in my system like no other.

 

[Smite]

I keep 3 tuxedo urchins in my 90g and really like them for the most part. Only drawback is them taking things for a ride. I had a few loose zoas and they seem to find them and cover themselves with them. They are the only thing I found that work well with turf algae, but turbos and my foxface are a close 2nd. If you have the room, long spines are a little better than tuxedos and they don't take half your tank for a ride. Either way, make sure fresh frags are firmly planted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They are fantastic eaters to keep coraline under control as well as other algae. Got mine from algae barn and they grew fast but not too big. As others have stated they will take loose rock and frags for a ride if not glued down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have 5 different urchins in my tank including a long spine, pin cushion and tuxedo. The long spine is probably 10" from tip to tip and knocks any frag not glued or encrusted over.

Overall sounds like a good addition to the reef then, I think I'll try one or two out.

 

[hersheyb]

asterina stars... i have tons of them in my main tank and they eat all my coraline algae

 

[five.five-six]

I have one and I love him so much that I named him


His name is Knockey







Full name: Knockey McFrag Overson. KMO for short.

 

[Smite]

asterina stars... i have tons of them in my main tank and they eat all my coraline algae

I lways get worries which type are good or bad. This may be the the first tank i havent had them in now that i think about it

 

[Smite]

I have one and I love him so much that I named him


His name is Knockey


Ha! Nice, which type is he?




Full name: Knockey McFrag Overson. KMO for short.