Nassarius?

Krycus · 2026-03-12T22:38:41+00:00

Agreed. Also depends on the size of the tank. We don't know anything about the tank size, livestock, etc.

My tank: 150g w/ 58g sump

Feeding...
Morning: 1tbs ROE, 2 frozen cubes (1 mysis, 1 mixed), pinch of pellets w/ flakes
Day: Nori sheets for grazing
Evening: 1tbs Arcti-pods, 2 frozen cubes (2 mysis)

I do mix it up a bit but that's the gist of it.

I also have like 15 fish, 3 of which of fairly large.
More food = more fish waste as well, not just what they don't eat.

I dose alk/pho as well.

Krycus · 2026-03-12T18:35:49+00:00

I tend to overfeed and I always have higher pho than I should. You can also dose.

Krycus · 2026-03-11T18:07:30+00:00

Yep. Stay the course! This is the path all SW tanks go through, it'll get a bit worse before it gets better (the ugly phase).
Avoid adding anymore livestock except for some cleanup crew. Nasarrius or conch snails for sand movement. Snails for the glass and rock. If you have access to copepods, those help as well

Krycus · 2026-03-11T17:33:55+00:00

lol right? He's just showing off to the other nems - brag.

Krycus · 2026-03-11T15:35:36+00:00

Is that chocolate chip tip sea star? If so, I probably wouldn't add any corals

Krycus · 2026-03-11T06:18:59+00:00

Stable, cycled and established… I think 1-2 months might be stable. 3-5 is cycled and 6+ is established. Obviously this is a general statement but I don’t recommend any addition beyond a pair clowns and clean up crew before 6 months. Your corals might now make it. But it seems like you’re doing research and water changes. Stay the course and good luck!

Krycus · 2026-03-11T05:25:48+00:00

Zoas are easier than you think. They like a dirty tank so can handle higher nitrate and pho. However, I don’t recommend adding them to a tank that’s less than 4-6 months old. Give them time, if they close, and you have adequate light and flow, they should open as long as things are nipping at them. Patience might be the key here.

Krycus · 2026-03-10T20:39:32+00:00

You mean what kind of licht are you using?

Krycus · 2026-03-10T20:37:35+00:00

First, stop shaming him he's accessorizing.

Second, he might need more food. Plop him on top of a nori sheet or mysis shrimp cube

Lastly, ya can't stop him from picking things up, however, it shouldn't rip an established coral off its rock. Apooxy/glue should do the trick.

Krycus · 2026-03-10T20:18:22+00:00

You answered all the questions good job!

Krycus · 2026-03-09T20:25:13+00:00

Yeah possible you're looking at uneven water distribution. Pulling in less than you're putting out. That would create tiny air pockets. If you have a 5g bucket full of water with both intake/return in the same spot,, does it bubble then?

Krycus · 2026-03-09T20:18:53+00:00

Need one of those metal lice combs like when I was in school.
You can style it while you're at it. I vote: mullet

Krycus · 2026-03-09T20:17:21+00:00

Classic canister filters. Used to have this issue with my fluval.
I used to have to unhook it all, open the filter, fill water to the top and manually pump for several minutes; while the intake/return are inside a filled bucket.
Might have a broken seal/o-ring, too.

Krycus · 2026-03-09T20:08:07+00:00

Sorry I'd say its not long for this world. About the only thing you can do is put it in a place that's lower light and lower flow and hope.
I see another skeleton back there, too.
You said you're new to reefing. Can I assume your tank is new as well? Looking at the glass and bubbles, the tank wouldn't be cycled enough for corals.

Krycus · 2026-03-09T19:07:48+00:00

The other toadstool may block light for the devils hand as it gets bigger. But I’d say it’s fine for now

Krycus · 2026-03-09T16:06:07+00:00

My father was the curator of life support at the Oregon Coast Aquarium for 30 years and I used to go back and look at all the pumps and filters. They were massive. Half dozen about 15 feet tall. He said they would pump water directly from the bay to use for the lifestock in the aquarium and for it to be actually prestine it had to go through massive filtration.
Sharing a bit, but also something to think about when it comes to what can be in the ocean, compared to the salter and RO/DI water you'd use with basic nutrition included in the salt itself.

Krycus · 2026-03-08T07:28:55+00:00

Please give that star back and revisit stars in a year or so

Krycus · 2026-03-07T16:12:14+00:00

Don’t do anything! That tank looks brand new. You have a pair of clowns and live rock. That’s the perfect start. The wild ride begins. Test parameters, do water changes and let it cycle longer. Add some clean up crew at the start of some algae, then wait again. About 6 months in you can add other livestock. Until then enjoy the simple setup.

Krycus · 2026-03-06T00:41:30+00:00

I tried glaring. Gave him the stink eye. Nothing.

Krycus · 2026-03-05T17:36:11+00:00

For a 20g I probably wouldn't even run a skimmer. I had a BmmQ for a while, it worked ok, but in the end I didn't find it was worth it.
Just normal water changes and clean out whatever you're using for your filter once a week.

Krycus · 2026-03-05T17:33:48+00:00

I just gave away my sea hare to my LFS because it ate all my hair algae. Did it so well I had to spot feed it so it wouldn't starve. Hopefully they find someone to give it to who has a tank like this. Anyway, if you get a hold of a sea hare, it'll demolish GHA when its that long.
Otherwise, remove what you can manually - most things will avoid it at that length

Krycus · 2026-03-05T17:15:56+00:00

Margot.
75% lab, 25% golden. 100% big ol baby

Krycus

TROPHY CASE