solitude127
Proud user of IO Salt!
I was wondering if Sea Cucumbers are worth it for my 90 gallon reef tank? I was to use it to help keep my sand clean. Are they easy to keep? Thanks for any advice
Sea cucumbers?
- Thread starter solitude127
- Start date
Guygettnby
Well-known member
i keep them in my tanks and i have never had a problem keeping them. i think they are one of the best sand cleaners out there for the home reef tank and would recomend them to everybody.
I had one black sea cucumber (the LFS called it a "sea turd") for about a year. It was the best sand sifter I have ever had, was more interesting to watch than I ever imagined, and was much more nimble in navigating around rock and corals than I would have thoght possible.
BUT, when it did finally die (I have no idea why) its body became this mass of sticky strings that could not be removed from anything they got on. I had to throw away the net I dipped it out with.
I have heard stories about these things poisoning tanks when they die. This did not happen with mine, but I think I caught it before it had been dead very long. It did make a physical, if not a chemical, mess.
So, my experience is that they are remarkable creatures that do a great job cleaning sand and rock, but be very aware that every living thing you put in your tank will eventually die and this must be taken into account.
BUT, when it did finally die (I have no idea why) its body became this mass of sticky strings that could not be removed from anything they got on. I had to throw away the net I dipped it out with.
I have heard stories about these things poisoning tanks when they die. This did not happen with mine, but I think I caught it before it had been dead very long. It did make a physical, if not a chemical, mess.
So, my experience is that they are remarkable creatures that do a great job cleaning sand and rock, but be very aware that every living thing you put in your tank will eventually die and this must be taken into account.
