Large coco worm in a reef tank
- Thread starter aww_419
- Start date
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
I have had mine for a little over six months so its hard to say yet. It is very healthy by appearance a few of the items I have fed are H2o lifes' Coral food mix, oyster eggs, phytoplankton, and recently a food called coral frenzy. I am not sure which if any the worm actually consumes but i have caught him in the act of going #2 several times. Hope this was helpful
I've kept Portula magnifica (coca worms) for about 18 months with weekly targeted phyto feeds. Tubes grew with good alkalinity and calcium levels. I also broadcast feed cyclopeeze with 2xdaliy fish feeding . Ultimately though they left their tubes and perished. Other feather dusters have survived for over 7 yrs in the same system. So, I think a specialized biotype with lots of particulate matter for them would be best and long term survival in a typical reef tank is unlikely.
nwrogers
Got gorgs?
I thought I remember reading it was about 3 years but I am not sure...
Here is a good write up:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/invert.htm
I haven't found a reference for lifespan in the wild for this type of feather duster. I do know that typical feather dusters can last over 10 years in captivity. As noted I have 7 yr old but the portula lasted less than 2 yrs with specialized feeding. I've kept several and at some point they just leave their tube . I have found t them bottom.; put them back in the tube to no avail. Once they leave they die within days, in my experience.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I kept a medium sized Sabellastarte sp. tubeworm in my 75 for several years but I used to feed that aquarium a LOT. Like Tom posted, I saw it leave it's tube once or twice but it recovered both times.
DT's phytoplankton seemed to be helpful maintaining it.
DT's phytoplankton seemed to be helpful maintaining it.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
actually... such a low maintenance system might be perfect for this type of worm. No mechanical filter, no skimmer. Lots of real good old fashioned liverock. Moderate to strong lighting to induce some algae growth. Feed pulverized fish foods.
You definitely wouldn't want to place Acropora in such a system but a featherduster could actually do pretty good IMO.
there are obviously different schools of thought on this, but I personally wouldn't use filter bags continuously on a skimmerless tank. in addition to removing a lot of small particles which are beneficial, they can produce nitrate unless you change them and bleach them VERY frequently.
I had a lot of success with a skimmerless tank just by running a fuge and "polishing" the water with filter socks infrequently.
I had a lot of success with a skimmerless tank just by running a fuge and "polishing" the water with filter socks infrequently.
aww_419
Registered Member
Thanks for the advice flanders. I actually just posted a question about my new bags and if I should use them or how in my build thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1776053&page=2
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1776053&page=2
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
IME yes but (like Fritz already posted) I wouldn't advise running a 5 or 10 micron filter on such a system. It would help if we knew exactly what expectations you have for this low maintenance reef aquarium.
5 and 10 micron filter bags are DEFINITELY NOT low maintenance! (can I insert a laughing face here without offending anyone?)
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