Missing sea cucumbers and an ammonia spike..

[BadOleRoss]

To make a long story short I have a 110 galon with 135lbs of live rock, 2 missing sea cucumbers and an ammonia spike. It there an easier way to seach these creatures out and determine there status other then a search mission? I have not seen them and 2 small brittle stars in days.

 

[EdKruzel]

If the tank was mature (as it should be to add such creatures) two small to medium sized cukes shouldn't show any sign of a spike.

Depending on the type however, cukes can release nasty toxins that can affect and kill other inhabitants.

Ed

 

[BadOleRoss]

They came with a cleaning kit that I added to the tank after a clearly misguided recommendation. The tank has cycled but there is no way I would call it mature. My concern is that being a new tank thet did not suvive and are fueling my spike. Not sure which way to go at this point. "In search of" or just monitor the ammonia and see if it drops.

 

[EdKruzel]

Damage control would be to remove anything you can see, however in your case I'd chalk it up to a loss and wait for the spike to drop.

Cukes and starfish are easily digested into the system once the decay begins.

Try adding activated carbon to help relieve some of the excess nutrients in the system.

Ed

 

[BadOleRoss]

Thanks for the assistance. Being new to this I have a long way to go and the key seems to be to go SLOWLY!

 

[EdKruzel]

Research and patience will deliver great success in this hobby.