Gonzo

One more thought...are you sure your test kit is accurate?  Maybe you should try testing with another kit to ensure correct results.  I have a kit that consistently shows 10 ppm, but my water tests at zero using other kits.

Jeff

Okay,

TLP has just received a donated 180 gal. tank that was set up for almost a year before the owner was transferred to Hawaii.  Thanks to Tyler & Michelle Perry and Rusty Rusin for their help in moving the tank.

Brent Anderson, TLP President, wants the sand in this tank to be cleaned so I want to add at least two stars to clean and then observe the results. After a while we can transfer the stars to another tank or back to their owner. My ulterior motive in this, has to do with keeping sharks. if it works, you will hear about it.

About the Bubble Coral, try moving it to a different place where both the light and water movement are different. Tell us all the other coral in the tank, especially other LPS(large polyp stony) coral. If another coral is "upwind" from the Bubble that can be a major reason for irritation because the other coral's chemicals are concentrated in the stream of water moving past the Bubble Coral.

Again, if anyone dares to descibe their setup there are several very knowledgable members of this forum that can offer some effective suggestions for reducing nitrates and improving general aquarium health. Also some coral are more sensitive to nitrate.

A "can o' worms" of course. Bristleworms are our friends! I have observed that when they run out of delicious detritus, them consume pieces of substrate. The purpose of this is to eat any organic matter on the surface of the sand particle.

Also, the spawn of the bristleworm is food for zooplankton eating coral! I love bristleworms and find that 99.9% of them are beneficial, but their bristles can be downright irritating for hours!

There are hundreds of types of worms, and microorganisms living within the substrate which create a healthy tank. It takes time (not less than two years) and effort to create a really healthy system which offers an environment where new fish may get sick but actually recover! We may not know the science of exactly how it all fits together, but we do know what works.

There is a treasure of expertise within the members and former members of the WMAS. You are all very smart to be taking advantage of it through this forum and attendance at the WMAS meetings. As one of the remaining few founding members of the WMAS, I think you folks are great.

This my 2 cents worth.

Mark

I would have to agree with Adam.  Although it is possible that the Sand Sifting Stars my disturb the sand bed, and it they can eat some of the beneficial life that lives in the sand, they also can do many good things.

If the sand bed is not used for Nitrate removal, which it is not in many tanks, or there is a barrier placed in the sand bed so that the star is only able to burrow 1-2" down then I believe that the Sand Sifting Stars can have a place in a reef.

Completely disagree with the [stupid] sand sifting sea star (sorry Mark).

I think this is a matter of opinion and do understand the argument against putting them in your tank, but don’t agree with it complete.

Just my $.02 (again).

One more thought... just an apology to GonZo.  I'm sorry for my posts under this topic.  You started with a simple 11 word question on nitrates, and we totally got off topic. Sorry,

Adam

Okay here is another thought from me.  I wrote something earlier, but then deleted it and decided not to post it because of causing more debating, but......

Mark posted it for me.  I can't believe Mark said it.  These stars DO have  a beneficial place in the tank.  They get a bad rap (maybe deservedly so) but they aren't stupid by any means.  They may or may not be very reef safe, but they are great in fish only tanks.  So..... they can be useful in certain tanks.  Which is why I think Mark could use them   (living planet maybe?)

If your tank looks good..... leave them in!!!!!  If not, take em out!!!

Adam

What do you think about taking out just one for now, and see what it does to the condition of the sand?

And, if you want it - you will have to explain what dish you are preparing.

You know, I just had a wonderful thought about those stupid stars!

Let's say that these stars are actually a good thing in a way. Imagine them roaming through the reef disturbing the sand and helping really stir it up in a way that is beneficial as a matter of periodic maintenance. It's when they are confined to our closed systems that they cause havoc because they finish off their favorite stuff and start eating everything else , in essence cleaning up too good.

 Hmmm... that gives me an idea... I will take those stars from you. Can you bring them to the presidency meeting? I'll take everyones sand sifting stars. I have a job for them.

Mark 296-1563

"The member"  is reading your reply right now - correct. Thanks for trying to protect my feelings Mark!

Does anyone want some [stupid] sand sifting stars? I'll make them really cheap for ya - and they eat very well... Both have doubled in size since I have had them.

Been wondering what to do about them (I have two) - I would feel bad to give them back to a store to be sold to another unsuspecting fool. And flushing them would be cruel as well. What do they taste like?