Brian's 270 Starphire

[pookstreet]

Wow that more than I was think. I was looking to add 3-4. Kenny are they messing with you corals?

I have/had a LOT of valonia A buddy, Terry (stryker), came over one day and jokingly asked if I was farming valonia

No, I have not seen them on any corals. I've looked with lights off and they are just grazing on the rocks. Looks like they each have their own little patch and don't venture far. Most of the time, I just see a huge claw coming out of a hole in the rock scraping the rock surface

 

[Dejavu]

I have/had a LOT of valonia A buddy, Terry (stryker), came over one day and jokingly asked if I was farming valonia

No, I have not seen them on any corals. I've looked with lights off and they are just grazing on the rocks. Looks like they each have their own little patch and don't venture far. Most of the time, I just see a huge claw coming out of a hole in the rock scraping the rock surface

If your farming it than I'm growing it for export . Looks like I'll be adding a few next week.

 

[pookstreet]

LOL..........if only we could find a market for it

Just start with a few to see how they do. I only added that many because I've used them in my previous tanks with no issues so I had no compunctions about throwing them in all at the same time.

 

[Dave's Reef]

I know emeralds are not the most ideal but at least they are good at knocking the stuff loose so I can pick them out. Still haven't seen the orange spot pick at them yet but the valonia infestation is slowly going away.

Kenny, Brian, Dan and whoever else is reading...

BEWARE of evil little emerald crabs! I have personally witnessed on more than one occasion and more than one crab making lunch out of my acros!!!

No, I'm not kidding either... I found a while back that some of the tips on several of my acros were broke off and just didn't look right at all. I couldn't figure for the life of me what it was that had happened. Then, one night with a flash light in hand I observed on of the little menace's snapping off the tip of another of my acros with it's larger claw and eating it! Seriously!!!

Maybe you may have heard this else where, I've seen it written about a couple places (after it happened to me) and had never had trouble with the little green guys before but I will never again put an emerald crab in my tank.

I removed the one I saw doing damage thinking it was an isolated incident but found the other two or three I had remaining doing the very same thing days later and right in the middle of the regular lighting period! Brazen little so and so's!!!

Anyhow, take it for what it's worth from someone with personal experience... They will eat acros!

 

[Dejavu]

LOL..........if only we could find a market for it

Just start with a few to see how they do. I only added that many because I've used them in my previous tanks with no issues so I had no compunctions about throwing them in all at the same time.

I've never had a problem with them either. I don't think they will be hard to get out if I need to.

 

[pookstreet]

Dave, were they eating healthy branch tips or perhaps there was some algae growing there??? Just curious.

Well, if I ever see them doing that, I'll just nuke the tank with a heavy dose of interceptor

 

[Dejavu]

Kenny, Brian, Dan and whoever else is reading...

BEWARE of evil little emerald crabs! I have personally witnessed on more than one occasion and more than one crab making lunch out of my acros!!!

No, I'm not kidding either... I found a while back that some of the tips on several of my acros were broke off and just didn't look right at all. I couldn't figure for the life of me what it was that had happened. Then, one night with a flash light in hand I observed on of the little menace's snapping off the tip of another of my acros with it's larger claw and eating it! Seriously!!!

Maybe you may have heard this else where, I've seen it written about a couple places (after it happened to me) and had never had trouble with the little green guys before but I will never again put an emerald crab in my tank.

I removed the one I saw doing damage thinking it was an isolated incident but found the other two or three I had remaining doing the very same thing days later and right in the middle of the regular lighting period! Brazen little so and so's!!!

Anyhow, take it for what it's worth from someone with personal experience... They will eat acros!

Thanks Dave, I have hear the same thing. For me it seem like my only option until the ich is in control.

 

[Dejavu]

Dave, were they eating healthy branch tips or perhaps there was some algae growing there??? Just curious.

Well, if I ever see them doing that, I'll just nuke the tank with a heavy dose of interceptor

That's what I was thinking.... interceptor :uzi:.

 

[Dave's Reef]

Dave, were they eating healthy branch tips or perhaps there was some algae growing there??? Just curious.

Well, if I ever see them doing that, I'll just nuke the tank with a heavy dose of interceptor

No, these were healthy corals they were eating... no damage or algae whatsoever. I had kept them for years when valonia would sprout up out of control and never had it happen before. Then all of a sudden they went into action on my corals, acro's in particular as that's all I really keep anyway.

I realize it sounds crazy and I thought so too when I first saw them doing it because I had NEVER heard of it before. But... it's true, google it like I did and see what you get. I read of a number of others who had similar experiences.

It seemed like the larger ones were more the culprits but the medium and smaller ones don't exactly have the appetite or ability to get at the valonia adequately anyway.

If they're working for you great but don't be surprised if you find some chunks off the tips of your acros someday!

Word to your mother!

 

[pookstreet]

Got a new pack of interceptor ready :lol:

 

[DanW]

I've had them before in my last tank and they didn't (at least I didn't see them) go after my acros but I didn't see them go after the valonia either. I've also read horror stories similar to Dave's also. I really hate valonia. If mine continues to progress maybe we can create a new ecommerce site...exoticvalonia.com...if we hype the "LE" status.

 

[Dejavu]

I've had them before in my last tank and they didn't (at least I didn't see them) go after my acros but I didn't see them go after the valonia either. I've also read horror stories similar to Dave's also. I really hate valonia. If mine continues to progress maybe we can create a new ecommerce site...exoticvalonia.com...if we hype the "LE" status.

I'll if your short in supply you can alway hit me or Kenny up .

 

[Dejavu]

 

[pookstreet]

Dude, your valonia farm has nothing on me :lol2:

 

[Dejavu]

Dude, your valonia farm has nothing on me :lol2:

Don't you see my crops below the acro..... that's just the start .

 

[pookstreet]

Those are not "crops"! Thats why I don't take top downs yet. If I did, you won't be able to see the rocks.

 

[DanW]

OK so I only have a small problem comparied to you guys. YIKES!

 

[tanglovers]

Brian - I bet this guy would take care of that algae.....

I am starting to get pretty attached to him his 150 is just about ready.

 

[Dejavu]

Brian - I bet this guy would take care of that algae.....

I am starting to get pretty attached to him his 150 is just about ready.

As bad as I want to add him now, I'm going to have to wait. No fish for at least 12 weeks. I figured you've held on to him this long, whats 12 more weeks .

 

[Dave's Reef]

I've had them before in my last tank and they didn't (at least I didn't see them) go after my acros but I didn't see them go after the valonia either. I've also read horror stories similar to Dave's also. I really hate valonia. If mine continues to progress maybe we can create a new ecommerce site...exoticvalonia.com...if we hype the "LE" status.

I'll if your short in supply you can alway hit me or Kenny up .

Dude, your valonia farm has nothing on me :lol2:

Sounds like we've all got similar problems guys... I've got a bad case of valonia going now too and find the best thing to do is manually remove it with a piece of rigid tubing snugged up to some vinyl tubing and siphon it out.

The rigid tubing will pry it up off of the rock or whatever else and then it just gets siphoned out. I'm sure I'm not the only one to try this, right?

I'll take a pic of my weapons of choice and attach it to give you guys a good idea if you haven't already tried it!~