what is this red worm thing??? and im new to salt!

hotpod said:

ok so i set up my extra 20 gallon tank and changed it to salt. i have a clown fish and about 11 pounds of live rock...well we were admiring our pieces of perfect rock that i picked out today and noticed 2 red worm things and it looks like they have little legs...what are they?and are they harmful?

<<Can you be a little more descriptive on the worm? Is it segmented? does it have tentacles et cetra.. >>

and i got a blue crab and a red leg crab...which came with the rock becuase she couldnt get them out of the holes...so i got a few crabs for free! i just hope they make it through the cycle. anyway what are the worm things? should i be worried??? oh and i should mention that the live rock have been in the privatley owned store tanks for about....9 months...so they were doing very good. i think they may have been in there for even a litttle longer...who knows. anyway what are they???? any suggestions? i have some mushroom and pulp looking things growing on it...i thought those needed strong currents? do i need to get a power head?

<<The ammount of current needed by a coral all depends on the type, as they all have different needs...Mushrooms, and basic polyps are ok in low to medium flow. In a tank your size, you need about 500 gph water circulation, so, if you dont have powerheads in there, nows the time to add them>>

i work at petco so this is my first saltwater attempt...i have 5 55 gallon freshwater tanks so if you have any suggestions it helps if you compare something to freshwater...i have been keeping those for a few years now...so anyway let me know what the worm things are and do i need a powerhead?

<<Cant really compare a FW system to a SW as they are quite different in needs et cetra. Answered above about powerhead and worm.>>

ill be getting a 55 gallon soon for hundred bucks...and im pretty sure im going to set up another salt water tank with corals as well...so let me know!!! i need advice!

<<When the time arrives, start yourself a new thread and ask plenty of questions about setting it up. We'll all do our best to answer any queries you may have>>

p.s. thanks to all of you have made me so knowledgeable on fish keeping, without i wouldnt be able to answer so many questions at work...i find myself often times quoting you all! so thanks again!


OHHHH and what salinity level do i keep it at????? for corals and fish????? thanks again!!!

<<Average salinity should be about 35...or 1.023 to 1.025>>

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