Orange linkia saved by Sump?

[Leadfooted]

I've had a Linkia doing great in my 5 year old system until about recently (did well for about 8 months). He's clearly eaten up all the nutrients and dying in my main tank (loss color and shrinking to half the size. I tried to research options to save but most threads point to inevitable slow death (so sad).
My refugium/sump is pretty dirty to say the least since I haven't vacuumed it out for the last 2-3 months (lots of build up). I got thinking maybe Patrick (we can talk on first name basis now) would like a few days in the dirty refugium portion???? Sure enough, it's been about a week now and his color is back and he's even grown a little more plump anyways). I'm not sure how tomorrow will be but today, he's looking great (but I'm still worried).

My questions is, some of you must have done this and apparently might have saved Patrick's life. Now I just wonder how long I should leave him in the sump and how often I can or should do this again?

Hope this helps someone else and any tips to keep these guys alive is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

My orange Linckia has been nearly bulletproof. He even tangled (and lost) with the powerheads twice, but still he endures and thrives. It seems pretty far-fetched that he is starving in your display tank. Do you carbon dose? If so, I fully believe that carbon dosing provides Linckia starfish with ample bacterial film to consume.

I think your plan in the sump is going to work, even though I've never done it.

 

[Leadfooted]

My orange Linckia has been nearly bulletproof. He even tangled (and lost) with the powerheads twice, but still he endures and thrives. It seems pretty far-fetched that he is starving in your display tank. Do you carbon dose? If so, I fully believe that carbon dosing provides Linckia starfish with ample bacterial film to consume.

I think your plan in the sump is going to work, even though I've never done it.

I place a carbon bag in my sump for a few days once a month, is that that same?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Nope, not the same. If you dose vodka or vinegar to control nitrates, that is carbon dosing. Carbon dosing increases the bacterial load, and from what I read, Linckia starfish eat bacterial film. I think that's why mine is so healthy.

 

[Leadfooted]

Nope, not the same. If you dose vodka or vinegar to control nitrates, that is carbon dosing. Carbon dosing increases the bacterial load, and from what I read, Linckia starfish eat bacterial film. I think that's why mine is so healthy.

Amazing and I like your way much better for a more consistent food source. Thank you! I'll research the proper way to vodka dose tonight.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Great. Just do your research ahead of time and go slowly!