Would You Put....

[BuckeyeFrags26]

Would any of you 10year or longer reefers put a Sea Urchin In a 125Gallon SPS Reef Tank?

What's the Pro's & Con's On this subject?

 

[BuckeyeFrags26]

or anyone that knows about these types of inverts

 

[wrott]

I've had urchins in sps and non-sps tanks over the past 10yrs, there's no difference. They may knock over frags/LR and eventually starve to death, but why, precisely, do you ask?

 

[thegrun]

I have one in my tank right now. It will pick up and move anything that isn't glued down, but they are great algae cleaners and you can feed them nori when after they mow through your hair algae. They are fun to watch.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

The only con I can think of is that they eat all algae, including coralline.
I have a small one that just appeared in the U-tube on one of my fuges.
It leaves little tracks wherever it goes, stripping down to bare rock.
In a 125 they can't eat enough to do any real damage. If you like them, get one.

 

[BuckeyeFrags26]

just want to root out the facts from fiction

just want to root out the facts from fiction

I've had urchins in sps and non-sps tanks over the past 10yrs, there's no difference. They may knock over frags/LR and eventually starve to death, but why, precisely, do you ask?

I actually own a Black long spine and want to make sure the couple grand in Coral "SPS doesn't get going to bash my hard work and time. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[LeslieP]

I had a pencil urchin that was fine for years, and then he developed a taste for my fancy zoas. He was then banished to the refugium, but I was out the zoas.

 

[grtmmt]

I have one in one of my return wells and another one in the sump

 

[EllieSuz]

I've had a Tuxedo in my tank for over seven years. He's fun to watch, especially when he picks up some strange object as camouflage. I've never noticed any damage. They will eat Nori if you're worried about it starving, but that's never been a problem for me.

 

[terrypercula]

I've had a Tuxedo in my tank for over seven years. He's fun to watch, especially when he picks up some strange object as camouflage. I've never noticed any damage. They will eat Nori if you're worried about it starving, but that's never been a problem for me.

Haha. My tuxedo does the same and IMO he's the best cleaner in my tank.

 

[fishfarmer]

I've put them in my 120 gal FOWLR which doesn't have much for coralline, but has some mushrooms and polyps. They usually did fine for a couple of years. I had smaller ones in mt reef tank and they would scrape the coralline a bit, but when they would get too big they would go in the 120 gal. As for knocking stuff down, I glue most everything down.

 

[snorvich]

I've had a Tuxedo in my tank for over seven years. He's fun to watch, especially when he picks up some strange object as camouflage. I've never noticed any damage. They will eat Nori if you're worried about it starving, but that's never been a problem for me.

I have three tuxedo urchins in one of my tanks.

 

[BuckeyeFrags26]

thanx everyone for the feedback

thanx everyone for the feedback

Thanks to everyone who has left some feedback about sea urchins. I appreciate it

 

[billdogg]

I got one as a hitchhiker several years ago. It was about the size of the tip of my little finger. It is now tennis ball sized and, at least IMO, a great addition to the tank.

 

[Paul B]

I have always had urchins in my reef and I used to collect them in the sea so once I had 24 of them in there at once. They also all spawned at once, that was a mess but didn't hurt anything. This guy has been in there for about ten years and as you can see he helps me re decorate.



I don't remember how long this guy has been in there. Maybe 5 years.

 

[discocarp]

Haha Paul! That's a great picture of him making off with a frag.

 

[BuckeyeFrags26]

Thank You All

Thank You All

I just want to personally thank all of you that posted experiences and feedback. You all have been a HUGE help.

":fish2:Happy Reefing Fellow Hobbyist"

 

[BuckeyeFrags26]

Nice Pics

Nice Pics

I have always had urchins in my reef and I used to collect them in the sea so once I had 24 of them in there at once. They also all spawned at once, that was a mess but didn't hurt anything. This guy has been in there for about ten years and as you can see he helps me re decorate.



I don't remember how long this guy has been in there. Maybe 5 years.

Love the Pics:fish2:. The Long Spine is the same urchin species I own. Awesome Cleaner

 

[crvz]

I'm not in love with the long spine urchin, but I've had a number of tuxedo and pincushion urchins, including a pincushion that I've currently had for about 3 years.

 

[brutuscz]

Not a fan. Had one years ago and got sick of it knocking things over!! THEN...I am also a Foot Doctor. I had the experience of having to remove a dozen spines from a patients foot. They are barbed...and very difficult to remove. Took 2-3weeks to get every one out. Plenty of hot water soaks to soften the skin. Not fun at all...for me or the patient. Had to worry about all sorts of infections. After that....Don't want that spine in my hand. No way...No how!!