Anything I should remove on this live rock?

[ScubaFish802]

This is a good reference as you discover new things - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-that-a-r2r-guide-to-common-new-tank-hitchhikers.443382/

 

[MnFish1]

Here is the quandary - it is practically impossible for ANYONE to have a non-hitchhiker tank - even if started with dry-rock. Then there is the point that many people feel - that natural live rock has benefits over dry rock. You will not be able to get 'live rock' and kill every potential worm, etc. It's just impossible - and likely not beneficial. IMHO

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tubes look vermetid snails. Either you will see tree worm emerge or two palpae with some slime. Vermetid will emit the slime webbing to capture food. Overall, looks like nice rock.

 

[seaofbytes]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

 

[ScubaFish802]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

I think it depends on the situation, my two cents is I had the same reaction you did when I first saw them. I saw a bit of a population boom, and then they seemed to disappear almost as fast as they showed up. I wouldn't blow the whole tank up over them. Just my opinion

 

[seaofbytes]

I think it depends on the situation, my two cents is I had the same reaction you did when I first saw them. I saw a bit of a population boom, and then they seemed to disappear almost as fast as they showed up. I wouldn't blow the whole tank up over them. Just my opinion

I'm starting to think I should just scrape them off..

The tank is a month and a half rock, I wanted a piece of live rock to introduce some biodiversity and then freaked out over the snails. That's the situation haha.

 

[seaofbytes]

Here is the quandary - it is practically impossible for ANYONE to have a non-hitchhiker tank - even if started with dry-rock. Then there is the point that many people feel - that natural live rock has benefits over dry rock. You will not be able to get 'live rock' and kill every potential worm, etc. It's just impossible - and likely not beneficial. IMHO

Looks like my "zoa" pic just didn't upload.

Not really a zoa...but didn't know how to describe it.

This is what I meant.

 

[HuduVudu]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

This is why this hobby is hard.

YOU have to make the decision. No one in this board (or anywhere else) can make it for you.

 

[seaofbytes]

This is why this hobby is hard.

YOU have to make the decision. No one in this board (or anywhere else) can make it for you.

Absolutely, but you can and did help me make it. Now I know what I'm dealing with, and hearing other people's opinions just helps!

 

[HuduVudu]

I'm starting to think I should just scrape them off..

The tank is a month and a half rock, I wanted a piece of live rock to introduce some biodiversity and then freaked out over the snails. That's the situation haha.

To be fair that rock isn't really what I would call live rock.

Here would be a better example:

Build Thread - Onward and Upward ... the 65 gallon that's too big.

Tank is clearing back up. Biology ftw. Now need to work on the alk drop will be putting a Kalk reactor on hopefully today. Sand should be here today also will get pics when I get that in. LOL then the tank will be cloudy all over again. Wife's job could possibly be gone next week so I will...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DJF]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

The beauty of reefing- everyone has an opinion based on their experience and not every tank is the same- you are your own god and will ultimately need to decide what is a pest in your ecosystem- and for others the same organism in a different environment will not be be a problem or considered a pest. I have zoas I consider a pest but I always find someone willing to take them when I trim them back. I agree that it is impossible to stay hitchhiker free. As for who’s opinion to trust here? There are two guys I see consistently giving sound advice @MnFish1 and @vetteguy53081 not to say the others are wrong, that’s up to you Good luck on your journey~

 

[HuduVudu]

I have zoas I consider a pest but I always find someone willing to take them when I trim them back.

One mans junk is another mans treasure.

I have some fast growing zoas that are really pretty but I can't kill them fast enough. I have come to loathe them, and I see them as weeds. I gave a big group away. We'll see if he can keep them alive. I have seen people struggle with stuff that is easy for me and vice versa.

Even aptasia (which I do kill) doesn't really ever get a foothold in my tank. The diversity and competition is simply too much for it. It is usually isolated to one spot with maybe a few heads. It can't ever seem to get a foothold. This makes it easy for me to eventually spot it and remove it.

Diversity seems to be my greatest ally and I work hard cultivate it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like my "zoa" pic just didn't upload.

Not really a zoa...but didn't know how to describe it.

This is what I meant.

Better pic- Foraminiferans which have what looks like thin hairs at the ends of the stalks, these are the Rhizpodia that collect food particles for feeding and are safe

 

[Dburr1014]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

I think you will find that if you do remove them, you will see others in the future. You will never truly get them all.

 

[seaofbytes]

I think you will find that if you do remove them, you will see others in the future. You will never truly get them all.

I have decided to not keep it in the tank. I scraped them off, then put the rock in the tank and just did not feel right after reading all the horror stories. If it happens in the future, it happens. Don't want to risk it over a piece of small live rock.


Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[spsick]

I have decided to not keep it in the tank. I scraped them off, then put the rock in the tank and just did not feel right after reading all the horror stories. If it happens in the future, it happens. Don't want to risk it over a piece of small live rock.


Thanks for the help everyone.

It’s too bad that looks like some nice Fiji rock too. Hitchhikers happen for sure but if you catch it and take action it seems a worthwhile effort.

 

[spsick]

Because you are the expert?

Why would you post this comment?

I have had these in my tank for 20 years ... they are never a problem. They pull stuff out of the water column and provide a biodiversity for the tank, and provide a clean up function.

You must seriously be new to this hobby to say that.

Aiptasia are also common aquarium pests that most would advise should be avoided. You could argue that they add biodiversity and filter feeding as well but that doesn’t make it good common practice. Holistic light touch approaches to reefing are cool but should be promoted cautiously to the new reefer is all I’m saying. Apologies if I delivered my point in an offensive way. Happy reefing!

Quick Google Sources:

Pest Database

Identity the bad hitchhikers in your reef aquarium.

reefs.com

Common Reef Tank Hitchhikers (How To Avoid & Remove Pests) | Reef Tank Resource

Common reef tank hitchhikers are unwanted pests usually. Sometimes they're a welcome guest. Learn which are good and bad and how to avoid or remove the others.

reeftankresource.com

 

[OfficeReefer]

Oh man so what is the consensus here haha...on one hand I have some of you saying to just put it back, on the other side I have guys claiming that they had to restart the tank because of them.

I have no problem with hitchhikers, I think they are all really interesting and cool in their own way, but I don't willingly want to introduce something that might destroy everything in the long run....

Tough choice for a newbie...help me out haha

Here's what I would do. If you're willing to add new diversity early on in the tank and are okay with the risk of having something not expected appear, say bristle worms, then go ahead and put the rock in. If your goal is to minimize things you might find unsightly or potentially problematic, then I'd recommend the clean approach and recure before introducing the rock.

This is about the outcome you want and how much you'd like to minimize anything between that outcome. I once did this, turned out well until a sponge appeared and took over my zoas.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Because you are the expert?

Why would you post this comment?

I have had these in my tank for 20 years ... they are never a problem. They pull stuff out of the water column and provide a biodiversity for the tank, and provide a clean up function.

You must seriously be new to this hobby to say that.

So do vermetids, but most consider them very unwanted!

 

[seaofbytes]

Here's what I would do. If you're willing to add new diversity early on in the tank and are okay with the risk of having something not expected appear, say bristle worms, then go ahead and put the rock in. If your goal is to minimize things you might find unsightly or potentially problematic, then I'd recommend the clean approach and recure before introducing the rock.

This is about the outcome you want and how much you'd like to minimize anything between that outcome. I once did this, turned out well until a sponge appeared and took over my zoas.

I wouldn't mind bristle worms, but these guys seem super sharp and like a total pain to remove. No point in risking it over a small piece of rock, for me at least.