Starfish and Anenone

[JRH_12345]

So for about a month, I've had a chocolate chip starfish and a carpet anemone, and my chocolate chip starfish hasn't touched, or bothered my anemone, and they have both been doing fine. Does this mean there is a possible chance that the starfish might be reef safe with caution or not?

 

[Subsea]

No, chocolate chip starfish are not reef safe. They are predatory and will actively consume soft and stony corals, clams, sponges, tubeworms, and other slow-moving invertebrates. Because of their dietary habits, they are best suited for Fish-Only (FO) or Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) setups.

Glad for you that yours doesn’t eat anemones.

 

[Terry Le]

Not reef.save just matter of time

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would rehome the starfish!

 

[BryanM]

Definitely not reef safe...

Which is quite unfortunate since they are very interesting/cool looking.

 

[Subsea]

@JRH_12345
What livestock do you plan for this 20G tank?

And, what is list of present livestock?

 

[JRH_12345]

@JRH_12345
What livestock do you plan for this 20G tank?

And, what is list of present livestock?

I have 2 clownfish, 3 hermit crabs, a starfish, an anemone, a peppermint shrimp, 2 turbo snails, and an emerald crab. I am not sure what livestock I plan for but I was thinking about getting a valentini puffer

 

[Subsea]

I wouldn’t think the puffer a good option for a 20G tank. Not likely a good option for your CUC. And not a good option for a reef tank.

 

[JRH_12345]

Alright thank you

 

[Subsea]

Tell me more about your biofiltration. Also, some water testing parameters would help in recomendations.

 

[JRH_12345]

Tell me more about your biofiltration. Also, some water testing parameters would help in recomendations.

I have an Aqueon Circulation Pump, Fins First Heater, and a Fluval 107 canister filter, my tank has a lot of hair algae and diatoms, I've been trying to figure out how to remove them. My nitrates and ammonia are at 0

 

[Subsea]

I have an Aqueon Circulation Pump, Fins First Heater, and a Fluval 107 canister filter, my tank has a lot of hair algae and diatoms, I've been trying to figure out how to remove them. My nitrates and ammonia are at 0

Zero nitrates are an invite for nuisance / opportunistic algae. In reading one of your threads you posted 0ppm nitrate with 40ppm nitrite. With this said, I question your test kit accuracy or your tank has never gone thru denitrification cycle.

What is phosphate ppm?
If that inorganic nutrient is zero, your system is in serious risk on Dinoflagellets invasion!

 

[Subsea]

I have an Aqueon Circulation Pump, Fins First Heater, and a Fluval 107 canister filter, my tank has a lot of hair algae and diatoms, I've been trying to figure out how to remove them. My nitrates and ammonia are at 0

GHA can not be managed with low nutrients.

With respect to diatoms, they are a normal part of a new tank startup and disappear when silicates are used up.

 

[JRH_12345]

Zero nitrates are an invite for nuisance / opportunistic algae. In reading one of your threads you posted 0ppm nitrate with 40ppm nitrite. With this said, I question your test kit accuracy or your tank has never gone thru denitrification cycle.

What is phosphate ppm?
If that inorganic nutrient is zero, your system is in serious risk on Dinoflagellets invasion!

My testing kit sadly doesn't have any phospate tests on it. Should I try to do a water change and use Chemiclean?

 

[Subsea]

My testing kit sadly doesn't have any phospate tests on it. Should I try to do a water change and use Chemiclean?

NO,
Instead, get proper test kits to know what you have before you change things.

Consider exchanging chocolate chip starfish for test kits at LFS. With starfish removed, increase snail population as part of CUC to assist with GHA removal.

 

[BryanM]

My testing kit sadly doesn't have any phospate tests on it. Should I try to do a water change and use Chemiclean?

Required for this hobby, IE mandatory equipment:

Good test kids (Hanna, Salifert)
RODI for pure water

As for dealing with GHA, Mexican turbo snails, Tuxedo urchins, emerald crabs, lawnmower blennys are all good clean up crew choices.

But we'd still like accurate water parameters. If your tank really has 40ppm nitrites then your nitrate tests should be EXTREMELY high.

 

[JRH_12345]

Required for this hobby, IE mandatory equipment:

Good test kids (Hanna, Salifert)
RODI for pure water

As for dealing with GHA, Mexican turbo snails, Tuxedo urchins, emerald crabs, lawnmower blennys are all good clean up crew choices.

But we'd still like accurate water parameters. If your tank really has 40ppm nitrites then your nitrate tests should be EXTREMELY high.

What will help with Diatoms?

 

[keagan]

What will help with Diatoms?

Like subsea said

"With respect to diatoms, they are a normal part of a new tank startup and disappear when silicates are used up."

Time will help with the diatoms.

 

[BryanM]

Subsea already address that: "With respect to diatoms, they are a normal part of a new tank startup and disappear when silicates are used up."