Moving a 32g Biocube. BUT Asterina star fish and bryposis. Start over or manage. Suggestions?

[Cromulent]

My questions revolve around moving a 32g biocube (<1 hr) and how to handle asterina starfish and bryopsis.
I've done freshwater for 30 years, and been keeping a 13 gallon nano saltwater for almost a year. An opportunity came up to rescue a 32g Biocube (1 clown, few corals) but it has starfish and bryopsis.
I have read extensively on this site about a move and think I have that under control, but it will be my first ever move.

Should I house the fish and coral in a large pail or tote while starting cube from scratch, or move it all intact and tackle the issues once moved? Clean tank, sand, etc with a new cycle, and then eventually move fish and corals from temporary home? One large coral may be quite fixed to the rock. I could chisel it but assume I would just import a problem into a newly started tank.

Suggestions?

I appreciate your knowledge and taking the time to respond.

Crom.

 

[Brandon3152134]

The star fish are an easy fix with a harlequin shrimp but with be eaten in like a week so have a plan for him to move to a new tank. The algea could be dealt with a vinegar dip since you have everything taken apart anyway. What types of coral are these because a more sensitive species would determine ur next move.

 

[Rednamalas]

To elaborate on Brandon's point, harlequin shrimp are incredible at removing the tiny sea stars, but once they've eaten all of them, there is a high likely hood they'll starve to death, so unless you want to have a sea star you raise in the sump to feed to the harlequins, I'd recommend giving them back to your LFS once you're done.

 

[Cromulent]

The star fish are an easy fix with a harlequin shrimp but with be eaten in like a week so have a plan for him to move to a new tank. The algea could be dealt with a vinegar dip since you have everything taken apart anyway. What types of coral are these because a more sensitive species would determine ur next move.

Brandon, thank you. I had read about the harlequin but after a stressful, but surprisingly easy move it is all done. New sand, and very few starfish so I think I might just try to pick them out. Saw just five once tank was set up. I appreciate your help. I will post a pic once lights go on tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[Cromulent]

To elaborate on Brandon's point, harlequin shrimp are incredible at removing the tiny sea stars, but once they've eaten all of them, there is a high likely hood they'll starve to death, so unless you want to have a sea star you raise in the sump to feed to the harlequins, I'd recommend giving them back to your LFS once you're done.

Homeboy, thanks. Very few starfish, so I will try manual removal. Tank set up now, a long move but seemingly successful. Will post a pic tomorrow. Thank you, Crom.

 

[Brandon3152134]

Pic

 

[Cromulent]

Here is tank after adopting it. The move was smooth. Left lights off about 24 hrs for calm. Rocks just put in quickly as moving. Creature survival took priority o er visual appeal. I will adjust and work on manual removal of algae. I will work on it slowly and don't want to upset system. Salinity 1.026, Nitrate <2, Nitrite 0. Temp 76. Pic of star fish as well. Removed 8-10 star fish during set-up last night and just a few all day today. I presume I won't need a harlequin shrimp if I can stay on top of manual removal.

 

[Brandon3152134]

Wow looks really good! Doesnt look like any sensitive corals just wacth for ammonia spike and your home free.

 

[Parker Kufel]

I’ve heard lettuce sea slugs or nudibtanchs are excellent and specialize in bryopsis treatment. I ordered a couple of them from Live aquaria. We will see how well they do!

 

[Parker Kufel]

Also are you 100% sure it’s bryopsis and not GHA?

 

[Tamberav]

The coral looks healthy and the starfish are likely not bothering anything and eating algae off the glass like in the photo.

I have those starfish for like 8 years now with a wide range of coral including zoos that grow too fast. I have never seen them eat anything but algae. I would not stress over them.

The algae might just be gha.

 

[Brandon3152134]

Update pic?

 

[Cromulent]

I’ve heard lettuce sea slugs or nudibtanchs are excellent and specialize in bryopsis treatment. I ordered a couple of them from Live aquaria. We will see how well they do!

Thanks Peter, this adopted tank didn't have quite as many starfish as the fellow suggested. I have picked them out several times per day for the last two weeks. I only saw one per day for several days now. I've also manually picked a lot of algae. I'd like to avoid chemical treatments. I hadn't heard nudibranchs ate algae, but I'm new. I will read up on that.

 

[Parker Kufel]

Thanks Peter, this adopted tank didn't have quite as many starfish as the fellow suggested. I have picked them out several times per day for the last two weeks. I only saw one per day for several days now. I've also manually picked a lot of algae. I'd like to avoid chemical treatments. I hadn't heard nudibranchs ate algae, but I'm new. I will read up on that.

main kind are the lettuce slugs and the berghia nudibranchs which eat aiptasia! They are awesome!!

 

[Parker Kufel]

My questions revolve around moving a 32g biocube (<1 hr) and how to handle asterina starfish and bryopsis.
I've done freshwater for 30 years, and been keeping a 13 gallon nano saltwater for almost a year. An opportunity came up to rescue a 32g Biocube (1 clown, few corals) but it has starfish and bryopsis.
I have read extensively on this site about a move and think I have that under control, but it will be my first ever move.

Should I house the fish and coral in a large pail or tote while starting cube from scratch, or move it all intact and tackle the issues once moved? Clean tank, sand, etc with a new cycle, and then eventually move fish and corals from temporary home? One large coral may be quite fixed to the rock. I could chisel it but assume I would just import a problem into a newly started tank.

Suggestions?

I appreciate your knowledge and taking the time to respond.

Crom.

The reef flux worked great, just dealing with some dinos now, doing another water change in a few days!

 

[Cromulent]

The reef flux worked great, just dealing with some dinos now, doing another water change in a few days!

Fluconazole worked on byropsis. Still picking out starfish. Down to one or two per week.