I know how you feel, the first time I set up my 20 fowlr, the my live rock had a little die off and was so fustrating at first. I was so tempted to throw the thing in the trash, but I restarted it and its was very exhilarating to master that beast.
I'm an idiot...
- Thread starter OgreMkV
- Start date
When I by rock (cured or uncured) it goes into a bit of a holding tank so that I can clean it and give the hitchikers a chance to "drop out" of the rock or at least me observe them. I think that first and foremost I would want to eradicate the paracitic isopods as they will preclude your tank from becoming successful - killing it all.
The bristle worms and brittle stars are fine, in fact they are a welcome addition to you system. The gorilla crab and the isopods need to go.
Do you have anything but the sand and rock inthe tank?
I forgot to add that don't think you have a monopoly on rough starts. We have all had failures or setback along the way. Once you get this behind you and have it solved....the enjoyment starts. This really is a passion more than a hobby. There are so many puzzle pieces to put together (water quality, temp, chem makeup, hitchikers, pests, lighting, filtration, flow) no wonder it isn't the easiest to get going. But when you do (and you will) it is great....
The bristle worms and brittle stars are fine, in fact they are a welcome addition to you system. The gorilla crab and the isopods need to go.
Do you have anything but the sand and rock inthe tank?
I forgot to add that don't think you have a monopoly on rough starts. We have all had failures or setback along the way. Once you get this behind you and have it solved....the enjoyment starts. This really is a passion more than a hobby. There are so many puzzle pieces to put together (water quality, temp, chem makeup, hitchikers, pests, lighting, filtration, flow) no wonder it isn't the easiest to get going. But when you do (and you will) it is great....
Nothing else is in the tank, but the hitchhikers. A few hermits, a few other crabs. The mantises... mantisi... manti? Anyway... that's all that's left.
Thanks everyone. I just needed a kick in the *ss. I need that from time to time. I'm going to get some more water for tonights and tomorrow's water changes.
Thanks everyone. I just needed a kick in the *ss. I need that from time to time. I'm going to get some more water for tonights and tomorrow's water changes.
I have in the past, when warranted (I thought there was a bad hitchhiker in the rock) laid the rockout on newspaper for 1/2 hour and you would be surprised how quickly the bad guys come out. I also do a 10 min freshwater dip in RO only (no meth blue) afterwards. If you remove all the rock and do this and vaccum your sand (leave the hermits in) you could get a jump on getting rid of the nuisance hitchhikers. Don't know how far you want to go with correcting the situation.
Good luck and hang in there, it will get better.
Good luck and hang in there, it will get better.
im a fw boy but its all the same just stick at it ,t will all be worth the efort
thing always go wrong things always die thing always get desiesed but the main thing is to stick at it
it isnt only you every one goes through it
make sure u document every tging here it helps us help u and it help u help other people when they have the same problem
thing always go wrong things always die thing always get desiesed but the main thing is to stick at it
it isnt only you every one goes through it
make sure u document every tging here it helps us help u and it help u help other people when they have the same problem
Well, I pulled two large rocks from the tank and they both stank to high heaven. Removal was one of the more disgusting smells I've ever experienced and that's coming from a Biology teacher that has lanced infected wounds on cats.
Anyway, I'd changed some water and am reattaching the HOB filter for the time being.
No joy on the mantis. He's actually under the rock, not in it.
ALthough, I poked a stick in one of the smaller caves and was attacked by a inch long neon green mantis shrimp. Let me say this... I lost whatever cool cred I had with my wife at that point. I mean, this thing launched it self at me.
Anyway, I'd changed some water and am reattaching the HOB filter for the time being.
No joy on the mantis. He's actually under the rock, not in it.
ALthough, I poked a stick in one of the smaller caves and was attacked by a inch long neon green mantis shrimp. Let me say this... I lost whatever cool cred I had with my wife at that point. I mean, this thing launched it self at me.
It happens to everyone at some point. Everyone has a dumb moment (I have them on a regular basis from simply not thinking about what I'm doing). Just keep your calm and approach this as rationally as possible. Alternatively, I recommend a skimmer as soon as possible, in addition to large, frequent water changes. Also, keep an eye out for the isopods--they'll be the hardest to get rid of. You'll have to keep the tank clean to remove food sources and lay some traps with food to attract everything. Keep the bristleworms and brittlestars, though. Keep cool and be patient and don't add anything else until you are 200% sure you have all the nasties gone.
Last edited by a moderator:
