what parts of the tank has the most life?
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5027
Printed Date: July 15 2026 at 4:45pm
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Topic: what parts of the tank has the most life?
Posted By: Skyetone
Subject: what parts of the tank has the most life?
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 1:22pm
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I am setting up a new tank. I am taking LR, LS, and LW from existing tanks to "Seed" the new tank. so.... in the live sand I see bristle worms, pods, and the occasional little whatever bugs. Thats visible life. In the Live rock I get a few bugs but nothing visible besides like coraline algae. But I am sure there is mico life in the rocks. The Live water I see very little life. Is there a lot of micro bugs in there? If I could only get one of these three things to help seed my tank from a member, What would be the most beneficial? ------------- I will just give my warning that your system will flood, bulbs will burn out, and things will take continuous maintenance... get over it. Magna |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Haycock
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 1:27pm
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I would say live sand, but the rock wouldnt be far behind. I would think any microscopic organism found in the live rock would also be found in the live sand (but maybe not the other way around). Just speculation though. ------------- 
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Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 4:53pm
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I would say it's a tie between the ls and lr as to which actually brings the most life into it. I know I started with 'dead' sand and live rock and now my sand is 'live'. So... the stuff from the lr must have seeded the ls. However I would say your best bet is to get a bunch of ls from different people, and some lr from different tanks, or stores (from different locations--vanatua, tonga, fiji etc.). ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Simple
Date Posted: January 16 2005 at 5:55pm
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Hello everyone,
Personally, I would recommend starting with atleast a little of each. But if you'll make me choose, I choose the one with the most visible life. Beyond that, I think the best way to put animals in the tank, is by putting animals in the tank. Go to the store/reefer and say: I want that worm, I want that pod, I want that mini-star, etc, etc.. If you're giving them a home that is well fed and free of predators, they'll multiply rapidly. Hope that helps, Chris
------------- Ascult� tot, dar nu crede tot. Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see. |
If I could only get one of these three things to help seed my tank from a member, What would be the most beneficial?Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 12:34am
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It's probably LS that is the esaiest to give up. If you came to me, as Jonzee did, and ask for that special piece of LR, the "little one" with ~6 embedded feather dusters and a large black vermetid worm, I'd say "Sure, for $100" But if you come to me and ask for the same amount of LS I'll give it to you free because I have a lot of it, all full of critters.
Hope we've answered your question. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 11:49am
If you really want to jump start, the LS and LW are generally free from members tanks. I also think that some underestimate the amount of beneficial critters in LW. The difference is, you can't see them. Pull a sample and look under a microscope. If you need some, I'll do a water change to get you some. No big deal. JMO ------------- In Syracuse "I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 12:10pm
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In my tank, it's the filter sock that has the most life! I rarely clean
it! |
Posted By: Skyetone
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 7:07pm
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I don't really need it. I was just wondering. there are potions on the market that supposable contain bio life that will help jump start the system from scratch. IMHO they are all junk. I would rather get a small amount of LS from someone. But what is more beneficial? The macro bugs worms and pods, or the micro bugs we cant see. Do the micros live in the LS more than the LW? In freshwater I would have a good LW argument. But SW i dunno...... Just a good discussion mostly..... ------------- I will just give my warning that your system will flood, bulbs will burn out, and things will take continuous maintenance... get over it. Magna |
Posted By: Carl
Date Posted: January 17 2005 at 9:40pm
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They are all part of the cycle but each perform just portions of the overall picture. The larger bugs break things down and then the small bugs that you can't see break it down further. There are some that do it in the water column and many that do it in the substrate. Watch Lion King, the circle of life... Hakuna Matada. ------------- In Syracuse "I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf |