Urchins

jagt48 · 04-30-2005, 04:31 PM

OK, so I have a problem with algae (mostly macro) and hear that urchins are a good bet, but I have coral (brain, star polyp, mushrooms, leather, etc...). I was under the impression that they can harm them sometimes? I was wanting to know who has had experience with what type of urchin. My tank now is a 29 with about 45 lbs of LR and a 1-2" sandbed, and in late summer (Aug. 2 to be exact) I will be transfering everything to a 46 bowfront with a 20 sump, so I'm assuming that even if it did start to outgrow the tank that by that time it will go in a bigger tank anyways. Thanks for any input.

Joseph

Tim224DT · 04-30-2005, 04:35 PM

I dont have any corals, but i have a pencil urchin. Hes cool to watch climb around the rocks and stuff. They like to eat coralline algae but it grows back almost as fast as he eats it in my tank. Im not sure if they are coral safe or not.

Tim

wharyat · 04-30-2005, 04:53 PM

I have a long-spine urchin, Diadema setosum, mine has done extremely well eating macro and micro, it's coral safe and it does eat coralline, but like Tim said it grows as fast as he can eat it.

jagt48 · 04-30-2005, 04:56 PM

First of all thanks for the quick replies. Second, I have small inverts such as snails, hermits, planning on getting several peppermint shrimp, and also I have a tiny sea slug (I think). Will they be alright with a longspine? What about pencil urchins?

Joseph

Tim224DT · 04-30-2005, 04:58 PM

i have hermits and snails also, not a problem with the pencil urchin.

Tim

wharyat · 04-30-2005, 05:04 PM

I know with the long-spine they will be fine. They aren't aggressive; but they are venomous, so care must be taken when working in a tank with one.

skeety · 04-30-2005, 07:34 PM

I have a Long Spined too! VERY cool!

But, another thing to keep in mind is:

While they are reef safe (in that they don't eat corals), they can be a bit of a bulldoser. They won't knock over your rocks, or anything...BUT, I've had problems when it comes to new additions of corals. If they aren't placed VERY securly, they WILL get knocked over during the night.

So the days of just placing a coral somewhere it seems to fit, and waiting for coraline to grow and set it, will be gone. Superglue (or Marine Putty, or something) WILL be a requirement.

But WELL worth the extra effort. Very interesting creature to watch, and when it cleans the algae...it's just not a skimming like the snails or other clean up crew. These guys will clean it down to the bare rock!!!

(they've been known to eat through the concrete pillars of piers in some places.)

jagt48 · 04-30-2005, 07:55 PM

OK, so what kind of epoxy should I use, and how easily can it be broken, because as I mentioned before, I will be moving everything in about 4 months to the bigger setup.

Joseph

tims · 04-30-2005, 10:01 PM

i agree with most if not all said.
i have a long black spiney too. if your tank has been up for a while and has some nice coraline growth if you get a long black then you shoudl not have too much trouble knocking things over.
oh.. they are pretty fast moving too. i was very surpised how fast they really are..and as everyone said.. don't give it a kiss..

VWD · 04-30-2005, 10:10 PM

I still want to get a long black spiney but still have that fear of it knocking down My rock. .

Vince

tims · 04-30-2005, 10:13 PM

Vince , maybe i have been lucky.. but i have never had him knock over anything... the turbo snail ..yes. the bat.. big time.. man are the cool to watch when you see them close up!

VWD · 04-30-2005, 10:34 PM

Tim. how big is Your bat. He must be big to knock thing over. I have been lucky with My turbos as I have really big ones and they have never knock anything over, Tomorrow I will wake up and the rock will be now" LOL" I better knock on wood or something .

Vince

tims · 04-30-2005, 10:38 PM

Vince the first one was 13 inches top to bottom. this one is still kinda small about 11 inches or so...