Cleaning rock recommendations?

[Alex1524]

I currently have existing live rock in my 60 gallon tank and will be using some of this rock in my new 29 biocube. My existing rock has some bubble algae along with those astrea starfish on them. What is the best method to get rid of all of these pests before placing it the new set up besides scrubbing the bubble algae off? Fresh water dip? Lower/higher salinity? Not really sure. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[rovster]

I don't think there is any way to selectively remove those pests. Only way to guarantee is CC let dry out and die or better yet an acid dip, but then you have to start all over!

 

[Alex1524]

That's what I was afraid of. I wanted to try and keep it as "live rock" because I have some great coraline growth on there as well as all the beneficial bacteria.

Any other ideas?

 

[rovster]

Stars are not a problem. You can throw some emeralds in there and see if they eat the bubble. If not, you know what to do, lol!

 

[martinniemczyk]

For asterina stars best option is harlequin shrimp, but will eat other stars as well if any in the tank and will die when all star fishes will gone...

 

[epon]

toothbrush and scrub it clean

 

[Alex1524]

Thanks guys, I think during my next water change I'll take the rocks out and really scrub them good. I just purchased a house so I still have to close and then do some work to it then set the tank up so by the time I do all that will be a few weeks.

Martin, I forgot about the harlequin shrimp. That's a good idea. I have those little starfish everywhere!

 

[necrio]

+1 on the harlequin shrimp. Once they are done with their job you put them in a F/O tank and feed them chocolate chip stars or sell it/lfs it.. etc etc.

 

[DgenR8]

Martin, I forgot about the harlequin shrimp. That's a good idea. I have those little starfish everywhere!

**Might** be a good idea. Harlequins eat nothing but starfish, but don't always eat Asterinas. It should also be noted that they do far better in pairs than as singles.

 

[martinniemczyk]

I had thousands of asterinas( every morning all rock was covered by them) harlequin doing good job, buy I have to remove my sand sifting starfish to the sump. U have 3 choices after all asterinas will gone.
1. Find new home for shrimp with full of food
2. Have some rock with asterinas in ur sump and move to main tank from time to time (thats what I do for the moment)
3. Buy sand starfish every 3months to feed shrimp (sound bad, but is this same think when people buying live food for lionfish etc)

 

[DgenR8]

3. Buy sand starfish every 3months to feed shrimp (sound bad, but is this same think when people buying live food for lionfish etc)

I kept a pair of Harlequins for about 4 years, I fed them Choco Chip Stars, AT LEAST one every two weeks, often times, one a week.
I honestly don't know how long they can go without food, but a spindly sand sifting star every three months sounds like you'll have dead shrimp in less than 2 months time at that rate.

 

[martinniemczyk]

My shrimp when start with sand star, not killking but just cut part and keeping star alive. Fully eat in bout mont and a half, so u right, 3 months is while to long. My mistake mate

 

[DgenR8]

A lot of people say that they cut off one leg at a time, and keep several stars regenerating in their sump.
I did try that, but the exoskeleton is much tougher to cut through than it looks. I found it easier to just put the whole star in with the shrimp and let them eat it. I couldn't cut the star like I hoped I could.