I started cycling a Waterbox 35.2 a couple of weeks ago and after reading through the forums decided to roll the dice on live rock with potential pests versus dry. I ended up ordering from Salty Bottom since they had the best price and went with 20lbs. of the coraline live rock since it advertised as having less potential hitchhikers. I opened the box and immediately noticed a large Mantis shrimp and a good sized Gorilla crab so I set them off to the side in a bucket and tried my best to inspect the rock for more without killing off all of the beneficial bacteria by keeping it out of water too long. I was cycling the tank and planned to do it with the rock in there anyway so after looking through them I placed them in the tank. I figured I'd have to catch another crab or two maybe or even another Mantis shrimp so after letting things settle a bit for a couple of days I looked for pests at night. I have so far pulled 6 more Gorilla crabs and seen 2 more dead ones at the bottom of the tank. I can hear a Pistol shrimp in there but have yet to see it, I did wonder why it would be making the clicking sound so often if there were nothing else really in there. I've never had one so maybe they do it for sport who knows. I gave my tank another look over a little while ago and notice a few small white things floating or swimming around. I waited for one to land on the glass to get a better look and of course it's a baby Mantis shrimp, there must be at least 5 - 6 more I saw plus who knows how many hiding in the rocks still. At this point I regret going with live rock regardless of the benefits in the long run because I've spent over a week trying to get these stupid crabs out and now am going to have to delay adding fish to the tank. Maybe I don't have to wait but personally I don't feel comfortable adding anything until the Mantis shrimp issue is resolved. Which brings me to this, what is the best way to get rid of them without tainting the live rock with anything? I know inverts are susceptible to copper but I don't want to add that because it will just seep into the rocks and sand and cause issues down the road for any future inverts. I'm sure a live rock guru will tell me I'm crazy or something but this is exactly the scenario I didn't want to deal with so unless I can guarantee there's no hitchhiking pests I won't be using live rock again. It's a shame too because I like the way it looks better and was looking forward to the benefits of using it but for right now at least it's causing me more work and headache. I could absolutely change my mind if I can get past the Mantis shrimp issue without too much trouble but I got exactly what I didn't want when I ordered this rock. Again, I understand hitchhikers will come along with the rock but this many in 20lbs. of rock seems like a lot but it's my first time ordering it so maybe not. Anyway, if anyone could advise the best way to get rid of all the baby Mantis shrimp I'd greatly appreciate it. I also had a worm of some kind that had a triangle shaped head with spiky things down its body, it didn't look like a Bristle worm but it was small and already dead so I didn't worry too much about it.
