View Full Version : Mini Star Population
lebloom
03-29-2008, 4:40 PM
Can there be too many mini stars in a 75gal tank? Since I have started my tank the stars seem like they are everywhere. I just wondered if too many can be bad for things like the coraline algea because it seems as though its dimenished. Its not gone but the tops of the LR look as though most of its gone and turning whiteish. That and the apstasia problem in my tank has really gotten out of hand. I use Joes Juice but but its like they become immune to this stuff. What besides this Joes Juice and a Butterfly can really make this stuff vanish for good?
Reefscape
03-29-2008, 5:03 PM
Do i presume your talking about Asterina star's here? It can be a problem yes, if they get into plague proportions....
Never heard of or seen asterina's having an effect on coralline though....but, thats just from my own experience....
The whitish coralline could be down to a lack of calcium in the water column, what is the current reading for it??
On the aiptasia, Kalc paste or blasting them with boiling water are both effective..
oscar83
03-29-2008, 6:18 PM
i have quite a few asterinas in my 75 gal reef. i have never seen them on any of my corals thankfully just on the glass and LR occasionally. Ive never heard of them causing a problem with coraline but i have heard horror stories of them taking out whole polyp populations and what not.
sushigirl
03-29-2008, 8:17 PM
I have had personal success on aiptasia by shooting them with a needle/syringe and boiling water; but the trick is to do it before lights out!
I have definitely seen some of the asterinas eat through the coraline and leave bare rock showing. But it is not a problem in that they don't tend to decimate an area of it. I'd more concerned with the ones I've found on an SPS and zoas.