Minimum tank size for feather duster?

[Fiver]

I was thinking of adding a few feather dusters (Atlantic and maybe coco worm) to my one-month-old, 33 gallon reef tank. The LFS says that's too small to sustain them, and that they'll slowly starve. I wouldn't want that, and am holding off.

I'm just curious what your thoughts and experiences are with feather dusters and tank size. Thanks!

 

[hotelbravo]

Whats to small to sustain them? You never listed your tanks gallons. And with feedings the size of the tank should not matter.

 

[Fiver]

Whats to small to sustain them? You never listed your tanks gallons. And with feedings the size of the tank should not matter.

Oops! 33 gallons. (I edited the original post to include tank size.)

 

[hotelbravo]

well i have to disagree that a 33 is to small for a feather duster. just buy phytoplankton and feed it.

 

[Fiver]

well i have to disagree that a 33 is to small for a feather duster. just buy phytoplankton and feed it.

That's good to know. Thank you. I already feed phytoplankton to my gorgonian and sponges, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Calappidae]

And with feedings the size of the tank should not matter.

Well, you have to consider the bioload caused from the feeding in smaller tanks. 33 is no big deal at all, but in a 5 gallon where biofilteration is mediocre, sometimes it's best not to have a fan worm since, well, any nitrate spike = rip.

33 is perfect.

You don't really need to feed them much either. If you have a sandsifter like hermit crabs, snails, etc they'll pretty much feed him for you. Little bit of marine snow wouldn't hurt.

 

[Fiver]

Well, you have to consider the bioload caused from the feeding in smaller tanks. 33 is no big deal at all, but in a 5 gallon where biofilteration is mediocre, sometimes it's best not to have a fan worm since, well, any nitrate spike = rip.

33 is perfect.

You don't really need to feed them much either. If you have a sandsifter like hermit crabs, snails, etc they'll pretty much feed him for you. Little bit of marine snow wouldn't hurt.

Thanks, that's good to know. I really like this LFS, so I wasn't sure how to take their advice.

 

[gogo7]

i've kept a trio of sabellids in a two gallon vase for a few years. phyto for sure.
they shed their crowns when underfed. currently have mine in a plankton friendly four gallon vase. your tank is new, so a couple of mils of full cultured live phyto every other day will keep them going. bottled dead phyto will work too. i'm not so sure about cocos.

 

[Fiver]

i've kept a trio of sabellids in a two gallon vase for a few years. phyto for sure.
they shed their crowns when underfed. currently have mine in a plankton friendly four gallon vase. your tank is new, so a couple of mils of full cultured live phyto every other day will keep them going. bottled dead phyto will work too. i'm not so sure about cocos.

Thanks for the great information and advice. What's up with my LFS?!