tbs is it worth hunting down all the unwanted pests

[tangafish]

i am setting up a new 135 gallon reef tank. I originally planned on going with lalo live rock but then i saw the tbs, from what i have seen it is about as good as i gets but i am horrified of all the unwanted boogie bugs that scurry in the night such as the mantis and gorilla shrimp or even scarier for me a small octopus. Is the rock as i am hoping? is it soo much nicer that all of the sleepless nights and hunting expeditions will be worth my while. i have no intention of adding any fish or anything else other than the 2nd part of my package until all of the unwanted guests are gone. any idea how long that might be. please give any helpful insight.

 

[tangafish]

correction, gorilla crabs?

 

[voodude]

Worth every minute of it !!

Worth every minute of it !!

You have probably see some of the posts I put up on the TBS and NEWBIE forums regarding questions on how to get rid of certain creatures. Got the Octo (with the help of a Picasso triggerfish) and got the stone and gorilla crabs in between putting in part2 by rinsing the part1 rocks that I thought were home with seltzer water. Got the one main one (he really didn't do any harm) and about 25 of his buddies. Now tht I have the complete package with the LR scaped extremely well with my friend Peter's help and knowlege, and all the critters and sponges and ... and ... It was MORE than worth it. I am sure I will have some hitchikers on part 2 that I did not get when I dunked and flushed it before putting it in the tank, but I'll deal with it. There are no known parasitic type of isopods or other really detremental creatures running amok. I only have the Picasso as I got him in desparation, and maybe didn't have to, but was tired of chasing stuff with tweezers and a turkey baster!! Would have made a great funniest home video candidate now that I look back. I'll let this pic speak for itself .... the reef is mesmerizing ... so alive and always something new. If you can find LR this alive (and it comes around about 1/2 hour after it is in the tank) anywhere else, I would love to hear where ... Richard is a master at what he does, both with product and advice. You can not go wrong.... Bruce ...

By the way, my tank is a 90G Oceanic w/starlight glass, and it looks like I am diving over a real reef.
Good luck ... :dance:

 

[Untamed12]

Yes, it's worth it.

...and don't assume that some critters are universally "unwanted and bad". It just depends what you want your tank to be like. For me, all the mantis and crabs are still there and I find them quite interesting and enjoyable.

 

[tangafish]

thanks for the reply, i have been absolutely amazed at the pictures of the tbs rock, i went with carribean rock last time i ordered online and after a day or so shipping in no water you can imagine what i was left with. i feel that i have really bought a nice tank setup this time so the to me the rock is just as important as the tank. how long does it generally take to catch the mantis or gorilla crabs, i keep alot of small gobies and smaller fish but do intend to get some larger fish now that i have a larger tank. i dont plan on transferring any fish in there until i can be sure they wont become dinner. what is the best way to get as many of the crabs out as possible before putting the rock into the tank, i have seen several ideas just not sure which way to go. my problem is once they are in my tank (which is tall and unfortunately i am not) it is going to be a pain trying to reach down there to catch the little buggers.. i did think about temporarily using milk crates just to raise the rock until i could hopefully catch them.

 

[tangafish]

i am ordering the 50 gallon package which comes with 100 lbs of live rock, not as much as i know i will need but little low on $ after buying the tank and all the goodies. i was thinking about ordering another package later but then i would reintroduce the unwanted critters, i am thinking about just ordering an additional 50 lbs of the base rock to go along with the package. did you think this would be my best bet and would 150 lbs of rock for my tank overall be enough?

 

[voodude]

Richard's formula turns out to be quite accurate. I got 180lb of LR and 90lb of LS and as you can see from the picture, it is plenty full, yet enough room to keep things back and put sponges, coral, etc in front and give the fishes a place to swim without bumpin their noses:lol: I went through the same questions and research as you are and found out the seltzer water works great and does not seem to harm the other things on the LR. You will still probably find some critters you may not want, but dealing with it will be easier once you see it together, as I did. My tank is about 5 1/2 ft to the opening and I have to use one of thse 2-step stools to really get my arm in deep. Invest early in a pair of long tweezers ... they work. I tried the bottle traps, but they are kind of messy when you pull them out to change the bait (at least with the plans that I followed. Spend time up front over a rubbermain dish pan and 2 liter bottles of seltzer and a set of forceps ... you'll be glad you did.
If you go for base, I do not believe you will be as happy. Raising the first half off the floor of the tank might not be a bad idea, cause pulling it out after it's in is not fun. If you see crabs that yu do not want, give it some time. They get bolder and come out further each day. Bait them with krill or shrimp and grab 'em with the tweezers. Or just whack 'em with a hammer :hammer: :crazy1: :fun5: . I might think that a good wet-vac might work too ... :idea: ... lots of suction power ...
Again, I do not believe you will be sorry (maybe forego a few beers or something and get the extra LR.... and there's always some very good surprises with part2.
Good luck and keep us posted ... Bruce

 

[tangafish]

thanks for the help. i am new to reef central and never posted anything in any forum before so thanks for being gentle with me. i have the long tweezers so guess i am good to go but i think i will invest in one of the claws that i have seen on various thread's. i have a feeling it will come in handy. you have a nice tank and some nice size rocks. just curious what is starlight glass? i cant wait to get my first order, i just setup my tank on friday so have to wait a little longer before it's ready for part 1. did everything in your tank in the picture you posted come from the tbs?

 

[voodude]

I meant Starfire glass .. oopz ... yes everything came from TBS (except the Picasso Triggefish that you can just see in the left cave). I'm newer than you as this is my first tank (other than the goldfish in a bowl from the fair when I was about 5). Lucilly, the person I contracted to help with the setup is a marine biologist ... and also now a good friend. Learning lots every day. It is a great experience and RC is a great place for a wealth of knowlege and assistance. Guess you won't receive your first package until Richard gets back from Vay-Kay in July. Waiting is sometimes the worst part of this thing. But patience pays off in the end (did I say that???) ... I'd like to see a pic of your 135 if you could put one up .... you never know!! :rolleye1:

 

[tangafish]

i was hoping to get my first part before richard went on vacation but with my amonia levels right now not going to happen. i will try to post a pic today, tank is empty and looks as eager to get the rock as i am. you have helped ease my concerns and help reassure me that i am making the right choice on the rock. i wanted the best this time and i know i found it with tbs. i have had my current tank for about 2 years was the best christmas gift i ever got but is a simple setup compared to what i have now, my new tank is the reef ready w/built in overflows and a large sump. i have no experience with that so i might as well be a newbie..lol what does the live sand look like? can you post me a pic, just curious of coloration and size etc, i have some substrate they put in there when they setup the tank, just wondering if it will match

 

[scowiii]

The unwanted's that come with the package are just a minor nuisance. I have become quite efficient at catching crabs. Its not that hard to watch what holes they hid ein then either spear them or if the rock is small enough to take it out and flush him out. Remember the rock wont die for being out of the tank a short time so dont worry about killing any stuff when you flush.

 

[tangafish]

how long can i expect to catch all the unwanteds. i am assuming a couple months, hopefully at the most. i wished i could afford to order all that i need now, but for the amount i need is about 1600.00 so going w/ just under half for now and will have to order the rest later. i should be quite the hunter by the time this is all said and done. i am trying to post a picture of my tanks but i am an avid copy and paster and unfortunately it wont let me do that. did you get an porcelein crabs in your package? i am hoping to get one. thanks for the imput.

 

[voodude]

Here a couple of shots I just took to show you what LS looks like ... it contains nutrients and calcium as it is mostly busted up shells, bottom stones and stuff. Would suggest at least having some added to your order and put it in before the LR. Cuts down on some of the shipping cost if you wanted to do it later.

Pic uploads get easier after you do a few ... I had problems at first also. You have to keep em under 50K ,unless you become premium member, and then it goes up to 100K (I believe). Here is a link to the instructions .. http://www.reefcentral.com/faqs/imgcode/IMGCODE.htm

Hope this helps out ....

 

[scowiii]

Here is what came in my package.

29lbs ls
58lbs lr
2 cukes
1 purple gorgonian
1 green plant thingy
1 yellow ball sponge (DEAD after a week) Because he wasnt well secured one other yellow ball sponge that is attached to a rock is thriving.
2 Peppermint shrimp
1 Anemone
2 Flame Scallops
1 Decorator Crab ( Named Banzai) He climbs up to the pump outlet and then parachutes off it.
2 Serpent stars (1 was a hitchiker in some LR)
2 orange Sponge branches that are doing pretty well.

Off course there are some baddies.

Stone crabs- about 5 that I have caught
Gorilla Crabs- all together about 30 of them I know there are a few survivors. But eventually I will get them all.
Those bad pods you hear about. I have succesfully caught about 5-6 of them. You can see them at night with a flashlight swimming. The ones I usually catch are near the tank glass by the live sand and I just use a turkey baster and suck them out....

Would I buy from TBS again. Most defiantely yes. If I were to price it out at the LFS to get what you get in the package I would have paid triple the amount.

Even if you can only get half your package thats still good becaus eit will help your tank cycle and then you will still see alot of stuff come out of the rocks. We still see tons of new stuff everyday and its great.

:thumbsup: for TBS Rock

 

[tangafish]

scowii did you try the seltzer water before you put the rock in the tank, another site said to use high salinity dip and the crabs would come out but i would be concerned with damaging some of the other life forms. i have no doubt now i want the tbs; the true question is going to be can i wait till july to get it. i was hoping to get it before he left for vacation but my amonia levels are elevated, havent cycled a tanked in a couple years forgot about how long it might take well i have no doubt it will be worth the wait and maybe by then i can come up with some extra $ to order a larger package, i think i will go ahead and this point instead of ordering the 50 and atleast go to the 75 gallon package that will give me 150 lbs of rock and 75 lbs of the live sand. is there any way to speed up the cycling on my tank in hopes of ordering by friday? tank was just delivered and setup last friday 5/25..cant help it i iam a little impatient but i certainly know i dont want to loose any of the life on the rock by rushing it.

 

[scowiii]

Yeah I used a seltzer water and flushed the rock. But again some of the crabs are stubborn and you still wont get them out. But from the looks of it I think I got about 90-95% of the bad crabs. Plus I have had my packager for about 2.5 months now so I am still in no rush to add fish or other stuff in the tank atm because its hard to decide what to move around. Plus the anemone is looking like he is deciding to move spots again.

 

[scowiii]

My first package took about 2.5 weeks to cycle but I waited until week 4 to get second part of package. After second part put in tank does a small cycle again but this is the point you dont do water changes other wise it prolongs it. Wait till it caps then do small water changes to get your nitrates and nitrites down. Other than that my tank is doing fine and just having a small heating issue while its summer time...

 

[tangafish]

thanks for all the info, this site is great. does my amonia have to be at 0 before i can add the first package?

 

[scowiii]

You shouldnt have any ammonia in your tank if your staring a fresh tank. But as everyone says you dont want to do water changes until the ammonia gets over 1ppm otherwise your just going to prolong it.

 

[tangafish]

i get part 1 tonight i cant wait! my nitrite, nitrates and amonia are all at zero so i am good to go, got my seltzer water and several large tubs of water ready to clean them and trap the critters before i put the rock in the tank. if i have any sponges should i go ahead and put them in my established reef tank rather than my new tank. dont want to loose it during the cycle. any hints or tips for my long night tonight..oh yeah, last time i got my carribean rock i really scrubbed it good but i dont want to dislodge any sponges etc, should i try to clean it real well or leave it be.thanks for the help