WTB sand sifting star

[bluetanggirl]

Anyone got a sand sifting star that they dont want??

 

[superchargeme]

how big is your tank?

 

[bluetanggirl]

55 gallons

 

[Ohiomom]

Please do some research..sand sifting stars are really difficult and generally starve in tanks unless they are huge. hth

 

[BrunstuckyJoe]

+1

 

[AD87]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15169103#post15169103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ohiomom
Please do some research..sand sifting stars are really difficult and generally starve in tanks unless they are huge. hth

One should do fine in a 55 gallon it has to be very mature and diverse! I have 2 in my 75 currently for the past 2 years, I also have a blue linkia.

 

[bluetanggirl]

well i have found the problem so i am no longer in need of one.

 

[Ohiomom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15173965#post15173965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speeddemonlsr
One should do fine in a 55 gallon it has to be very mature and diverse! I have 2 in my 75 currently for the past 2 years, I also have a blue linkia.

Then I would say you are the exception..anything I have ever read/heard says they kill off all beneficial life quickly and generally starve. Glad to hear you have had success.

 

[Kostrab]

What was the problem?

 

[bluetanggirl]

I keep getting to much algea and cant get rid of it. But i am going to fix it by getting a small Blue Tang.

 

[laskopyre]

what type of algae is growing? Is it hair, some type of macro from the rocks, red, etc?

 

[bluetanggirl]

yup it is green hair algea on my sand and i have red algea on my rock as well.

 

[laskopyre]

tang might help with the hair algae, but won't be much help on the red algae. I'm guessing that is cyano. if it is, adding another fish might make it worse. Nutrients could be a little out of wack. Might want to think about a simple small fuge with chaeto to compete with your tank algae.

 

[alix2.0]

+1, you can fix the symptom, but you have to remember that if you have an algae problem, there is always a reason, and you need to fix that. another fish will only add to it. plus, a blue tang will outgrow a 55. what are your water parameters?

 

[PRDubois]

Are you using RODI?
Are your lights on timers for 10h or less a day?
-----Cut down to 6h a day till algie is under control.
Are you overfeeding?

Once you figure out the cause and fix it then a stuff called "Red Slime Remover" will get rid of the red stuff for good.

 

[superchargeme]

I had one sand star in my 180 with a 5 year old bed, It lived for about 3 .5 years doing very well. Then I had a variance in my salenity and he was hit First the tips of its legs then slowly the rest of it. I don't recommend them.
Algea has to have food to grow if you remove/limit its food source then you will solve your algea problem.
Anthony Caflo says "dilution is the solution" I have to agree. Water changes with rodi have worked great for mt, Good luck

 

[bluetanggirl]

No i am not using RO/DI water the guy at Captain Larry's tested my phosphates and they were 0.1.

As for my lights they r not on timers but I am trying to turn the lights off at 12 hours. But maybe i need to lower it until I get rid of it.

Would it help to stir it up?? and clean the sand bed??

 

[bluetanggirl]

What do I need to make a ruge?? And i do not have a skimmer.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15176569#post15176569 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laskopyre
tang might help with the hair algae, but won't be much help on the red algae. I'm guessing that is cyano. if it is, adding another fish might make it worse. Nutrients could be a little out of wack. Might want to think about a simple small fuge with chaeto to compete with your tank algae.

 

[aerius007]

More flow in the tank could help with the red.

 

[bluetanggirl]

It is not so much the red it is the brown. would taking out some of the sand help i mean the sand it only like an inch to begin with.