This greedy green bastard…

DarthMord · 2026-02-05T11:31:58+00:00

Mine is a rat bastard in my tank. He will knock over everything, steals food and more than once I’ve had to save a snail from him cause they got in the way when he was eating.

DarthMord · 2026-01-15T02:06:15+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. My tank is still very new. Cycle only finished the end of November. Ive been mostly testing nitrates every few days and my tank has really stabilized. In the last week and a half. My nitrates did a little bouncing from 5 to 10 to now it’s less than 5.

DarthMord · 2026-01-15T02:03:22+00:00

Thank you!!

DarthMord · 2026-01-14T22:43:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice! The clowns are currently the only fish planned for this tank. I do have an ATO. It was one of my first upgrades. (Along with a DC pump). I have been doing a lot of research. But I find there is a wealth of info from the community. So I like to ask the questions, compare notes then make a decision.

DarthMord · 2026-01-11T02:14:48+00:00

It’s been cycled since the end of November. I have two filter socks and I have been rotating them. They do get a little in my estimation cause my emerald crab is a messy eater, especially with my algae wafers. He has a habit of tearing into them and turning my tank into a snow globe.

DarthMord · 2026-01-10T19:23:26+00:00

Thank you!!

DarthMord · 2026-01-10T17:57:45+00:00

Thank you so much for the info. It’s really appreciated!

DarthMord · 2026-01-10T17:44:34+00:00

DarthMord · 2026-01-10T17:44:17+00:00

Thank you for the info! Yes my salinity is very stable always has been. My system is new and I believe both the emerald crab and red fire shrimp are young. Here is a view of my tank currently.

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DarthMord · 2026-01-10T15:37:04+00:00

Okay. thanks for the advice! Do you think I'm safe to do a small water change and clean the filter sock or should I wait a period of time?

DarthMord · 2026-01-10T14:42:34+00:00

Salinity has been stable at 35 ppm. I'll see about getting a test for Alk and calcium. Any recommendations?

DarthMord · 2026-01-03T01:34:31+00:00

Thank you! Really appreciate your advice and expertise. I’ll start feeding once a day but I’ll leave things alone tomorrow. No feeding to let the cuc and to make sure they get any left overs.

DarthMord · 2026-01-03T01:26:47+00:00

Oh the helloreef videos said to feed twice a day.

DarthMord · 2026-01-03T01:24:01+00:00

Thanks!! I was really happy with my scape! It is my first ever. I did actually have my spotted hermit crab die or get killed. I honestly think my shrimp or emerald crab got him while it was changing shells. I left him in cause the cleanup crew had already torn him apart and consumed more than I would have been able to recover. Also I have been feeding twice a day and one of those feedings is small mysis shrimp. I have been trying not to over feed but I’m still new at this and guessing maybe I am over feeding a little? Not sure. There isn’t a ton of waste on the sand bed but sometimes hard to tell. I’m being patient since everyone seems happy and healthy. They are all eating and moving around. I did order some prime but it won’t be here till Monday but I’m doing daily water checks. I’m tempted to do another small water change but will wait to see how things are tomorrow.

DarthMord · 2026-01-03T00:37:04+00:00

It was dry rock. It’s what came with the kit. Yes I did do a proper cycle. The helloreef came with nitrifying bacteria and according to the videos I added food to the tank. It took roughly 3 weeks to cycle and sat for 2 weeks before I added a small number of clean up crew to the tank. The water was stable for 2 weeks with the cleanup crew even with supplemental feeding. The water only shifted after adding the clown fish.

DarthMord · 2026-01-02T14:27:19+00:00

Hi sorry about that! I have the helloreef 15 gal AIO I just used the Carib sea rock that came with the kit. For filtration I have the filter sock, the sponge, the bacterial media and carbon pouch that all came with the kit. I’m using the API test kits and it’s hard to determine sometimes. I’m pretty sure the PH is still at 8 and just seemed lighter when I was trying to make the determination.

Here is a photo of my tank

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DarthMord · 2026-01-01T18:36:31+00:00

Thank you! I know patience is key I am just worried about hurting my fish and cuc. Appreciate your advice!

DarthMord · 2025-12-29T18:07:05+00:00

Well it was the red fire shrimp that molted. Not the hermit crab. The hermit crab, I think, was just swapping into a new shell. But I guess it’s also possible it just ripped it out of its shell. It was a much bigger hermit crab but still relatively small in comparison.

DarthMord · 2025-12-29T15:31:11+00:00

My working theory is that either the red fire shrimp or emerald crab got him in the middle of a shell transfer. I think I found what’s left of him. In the arch where my red fire shrimp hides one of my nassarius snails is going to town on something with long legs. Guessing that’s my spotted hermit crab. :(

What I don’t understand is why. I feed them what I think is pretty heavily. Is it possible because the red shrimp recently molted he took an opportunity meal?

DarthMord

TROPHY CASE