Tuxedo urchins, will they mar the glass

[Frogmanx82]

I am considering a tuxedo urchin, but heard over time, a few years, your glass will get hazy from the microscratches the urchins will cause.

Is this a big issue? I guess keeping the glass clean should keep them off it for the most part.

Also, do they eat the little feather dusters?

 

[Kemo484]

I've had one for over two years, some minor scratches but nothing too serious. It did eat all my coraline off the glass though, so if you like that look I wouldn't recomend one. Not sure about the feather dusters.

 

[650-IS350]

I'd be more worried if you had plexi.

 

[Frogmanx82]

Minor scratches in two years is not acceptable. I hope to have my tank for 20 years.

 

[Kemo484]

They're not that deep, probably just buff out with some jiff.

 

[NYC/NJREEFS]

Blue Tuxedo Urchin

Blue Tuxedo Urchin

I've had one since Dec, 2008 and like they said before me "all the coralline algae" is gone from my tank's glass and even on the rocks. As for the scratches on the glass I really dont have a complaint.

I've had a pink and white feather duster and it has not harassed it ever so you should be fine with it.
Good luck

 

[Frogmanx82]

Does not having a complaint mean there are no scratches or the scratches are minor and not noticable.

 

[suta4242]

Since you're on the other side of the pond, have you got a glass tank or acrylic?

I have glass and a couple of different urchins. None of them have left any permanent marks on the glass.

About the feather dusters: I think that depends how big. I'm guessing here but maybe the tiny ones <5-10mm, possibly. Definitely not the bigger ones. I know my collector, Tripnuestes gratilla is a really efficient herbivore, but he does raze an area clean.

HTH

 

[Frogmanx82]

I have glass, I heard that even for glass, over a number of years microscratches can effect the visibility into the tank.

 

[suta4242]

I can understand your concern but would be really surprised if the urchins caused it. More likely the odd sand grain lodges in your magnet cleaner etc & scratching occurs like that.

I guess everyone is different, but I wouldn't keep a reef tank without at least one urchin. Think they're a great part of a diverse CUC.

All the best!

 

[jdargonaut]

I bought a used 190 gal acrylic, the previous owner had a short spine and a long spine urchin. The entire inside of the tank is covered with micro-scratches. Less noticeable when the tank has water, but when it is dry, wow! scratches look bad. The patterns of scratches leaves no doubt in my mind they were caused by the urchins. I bet you will not have these problems with a glass tank though.

 

[mscarpena]

I had one for years the only issue I had with him is he was a bulldozer and knocked corals over. No glass scratches.

 

[jollyballs]

no glass scratches with mine. ive had one for year also. i even have coraline algae on the back of my tank. it eats some of it but it still grows back quicker than it can keep up to it.

 

[Urchinhead]

If its glass you will be fine. Tuxedo spines are not that long and not all that sharp when compared to long spine's.

 

[Frogmanx82]

Its not the spines that are the problem. Its the mouth.

 

[Urchinhead]

Humm... You are worried about the grinding then...? Good point.

 

[Rubicon06]

Never knew this, and I've always wanted one

 

[anjl97]

My tank came with a few scratches, but to be honest, my urchin is so cool it would still be okay. Right now he is carryind around a toadstool leather! I have already had to take away some GSP (twice) and a little biorb salinity thingy. he carried that around for a week! He tried to take the xenias, but fortunately the rock they were on was too heavy. I really love the guy. I think my cleaner magnet will end up doing way more than he can.