Supplemental Feeding

[mdobbins]

I feel like I need to supplement my inverts with some extra food, while I’m working on adding fish into my tank. My sea urchin is losing spines and I have had a couple turbo snails and hermits die. I also can’t keep an emerald crab to save my life. My glass and rocks are covered in a thin film but I don’t know why else they’re not making it, if not from starvation.

What is a good way to do this?

 

[KrisReef]

Sea urchin is dying, I suspect that it isn't going to survive. The fact that turbo's and hermits are also exiting suggests that what ever you have growing isn't a good food source for inverts?

I never worried much about my cuc, (cruel, I know) but folks feed pellets and sheets of nori, that may help yours out? Try very small doses, 5 pellets, and a 2 inch square of nori, secured to the substrate so the critters can access it easy and observe if they go for it. If you get a positive feeding response, add more.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How old is your tank? Any tank older than a few months should be able to keep inverts. Inverts are sensitive to water quality. Starvation or water quality are the 2 main suspects IMO. Pictures can help.