Brittle stars hitch-hiked on live rock

[Fishguy88]

I just set up my 20 gallon saltwater tank. I added live sand yesterday, and just added 25lbs of live rock today. I got some live rock from an established tank of a friend. I put the live rock in and I see that there are about 30 quarter sized brittle stars on the rock and sand now. What should I do? The tank isn't cycled, and I feel like that is way too many for my tank. If they die, then that's just going to skyrocket the ammonia. Is it best to try and get as many out as possible?

 

[lespaul339]

Leave them be. They are beneficial clean up crew. If they die it's no biggie, it won't hurt your tank. But they might even make it through your cycle. Since you already added live rock from an established tank, you may not even get a big cycle.

 

[Rybren]

Don't sweat it. The live rock can handle the death (if any) of the brittle stars. Add a tiny bit of food to the tank every day or so and it will be fine.

Assuming that you kept the live rock wet during the transfer, you'll likely see little in the way of a cycle.

 

[mcgyvr]

Personally I'd just leave them..
If they make it.. good..
If not.. no big deal..

Personally I would have started with dry sand and the live rock..

 

[Fishguy88]

Don't sweat it. The live rock can handle the death (if any) of the brittle stars. Add a tiny bit of food to the tank every day or so and it will be fine.

Assuming that you kept the live rock wet during the transfer, you'll likely see little in the way of a cycle.

Unfortunately I forgot news paper, and he didn't have any (I'm an idiot). He pour some water from the tank on it and I rushed home. It was about 20 min.

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[ziggy2]

Why would you use dry rock and sand? Doesn't the live rock speed the process? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all these little creatures a bonus?

 

[mcgyvr]

Why would you use dry rock and sand? Doesn't the live rock speed the process? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all these little creatures a bonus?

was that a question for me?
I stated dry sand and LIVE rock..
IMO "live sand" is more trouble that its worth as there is considerable dead/decaying material in there that will cause a large ammonia spike..

Live rock is good and yes will speed the process but IMO live sand is not worth it..

Live rock is usually packaged quickly/kept wet so the amount of dead "crap" is minimal.. But "live sand" is just "damp" sand that can sit in a warehouse for days/weeks/months and can have considerable dead "crap"..

 

[Rybren]

Unfortunately I forgot news paper, and he didn't have any (I'm an idiot). He pour some water from the tank on it and I rushed home. It was about 20 min.

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Still no cause for concern. You'll get more of a cycle than had you kept the rock submerged, but still no biggie.

 

[Fishguy88]

Still no cause for concern. You'll get more of a cycle than had you kept the rock submerged, but still no biggie.

Ok, I'm glad it isn't a huge deal. Probably a couple weeks cycle now?

 

[Fishguy88]

was that a question for me?
I stated dry sand and LIVE rock..
IMO "live sand" is more trouble that its worth as there is considerable dead/decaying material in there that will cause a large ammonia spike..

Live rock is good and yes will speed the process but IMO live sand is not worth it..

Live rock is usually packaged quickly/kept wet so the amount of dead "crap" is minimal.. But "live sand" is just "damp" sand that can sit in a warehouse for days/weeks/months and can have considerable dead "crap"..

Well crap, I didn't know that. I thought live sand was better.

 

[lespaul339]

Unfortunately I forgot news paper, and he didn't have any (I'm an idiot). He pour some water from the tank on it and I rushed home. It was about 20 min.

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You may see a little cycle, but I don't think it will be much. It really depends on how much die off you got.

 

[Psychomantix]

Ok, I'm glad it isn't a huge deal. Probably a couple weeks cycle now?

It's hard to say. It could take over a month, or it could be complete already. You can use the ammonia test and see how quickly it gets converted in 24h if you like. or risk it and throw in your first hardy fish or inverts.

 

[Sk8r]

a few flakes of fishfood a day will keep them well and they'll survive cycle fine. Fishfood is a reliable way to cycle a tank without all the exotic fuss.