Hitchhikers on KP aquatic rocks solution?

[Midrats]

Live rock is the most fun part of setting up a tank. I only remove stuff I witness doing damage, which has only ever been crabs, and they're easy to remove. KP used to send the rock wrapped in wet newspaper. I prefer that method over rock shipped in water because most of the crustaceans I don't want are in the bottom of the box dead. Do they ship in water now? Why all the crabs?

 

[TnFishwater98]

Live rock is the most fun part of setting up a tank. I only remove stuff I witness doing damage, which has only ever been crabs, and they're easy to remove. KP used to send the rock wrapped in wet newspaper. I prefer that method over rock shipped in water because most of the crustaceans I don't want are in the bottom of the box dead. Do they ship in water now? Why all the crabs?

You could hover the LR over saltwater and put a damp towel on the LR. You might get crabs to go to the SW and leave the LR… Just like you mentioned if shipped out of water the crabs go to the only water source in the bag. They leave the LR and get in the small amount of water in the bag. They die there but you could possibly set a similar situation but also keeping the LR moist l…

 

[fish farmer]

You could hover the LR over saltwater and put a damp towel on the LR. You might get crabs to go to the SW and leave the LR… Just like you mentioned if shipped out of water the crabs go to the only water source in the bag. They leave the LR and get in the small amount of water in the bag. They die there but you could possibly set a similar situation but also keeping the LR moist l…

Old school Fiji LR from Walt Smith would be placed on racks for a couple of weeks and sprayed with saltwater, the crabs, mantis bristleworms would drop off. This was his SOP back in the day before shipping the rock.

 

[JGT]

I felt the same my first two tank setups with gulf rock but from setup #3 onward, it was the dang cirolanids that kept burning me. All the other pests are honestly decently easy to manage (e.g. pyramid snails, clam eating flatworms, etc.).

First real encounter with the cirolanids was when I put in a pair of clowns and 10+ isopods immediately latched onto the clowns and the clowns were just blood packs for them floating in the tank unable to properly switch because of all the isopods

Luckily, I haven’t seen any of those either. They sound like a b!tch to get rid of.

 

[Miami Reef]

This looks like a yellow feather duster! Are they likely to survive long term? I hope so

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s the rocks in my QT.

After a series of dips into salt water plus a final dip in hypersaline water, I realized there weren’t any more “pests” I should worry about. I purchased 2 emerald crabs, so the bubble algae should be gone! I’m very happy with this purchase!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Heads up, I found 5 gorilla crabs on a single rock from KP. Well worth it, but be aware, you liking have many more in there. For bubble algae, just keep nutrients low and get an emerald crab. Don't pop em.

5 thats it I had 5 after I though I got them all, lol. I have torn the tank down a couple times now its set up I won't do it again but there is still a popping sound every once and a while, but all the crabs are gone finally!

 

[JGT]

This looks like a yellow feather duster! Are they likely to survive long term? I hope so

Mine did. Some will survive with just leftovers from feeding your fish but I dose phyto and they really take off with that as a food source.

 

[Miami Reef]

Mine did. Some will survive with just leftovers from feeding your fish but I dose phyto and they really take off with that as a food source.

What type of phyto do you use?

 

[JGT]

What type of phyto do you use?

Nano and iso. Grow my own. Along with pods. They love the live rock and help keep it well groomed.

 

[damsels are not mean]

get an emerald crab. Don't pop em.

that's a bit contradictory

This popping stuff is a myth. It has no effect on how they spread. Popping it is fine if you are removing. Any remaining tissue in the tank can create more bubbles.

 

[Just John]

And what is this?

Looks like one of the packers lost a tooth. Might want to give them a call to see if they want it back.

 

[Miami Reef]

Looks like one of the packers lost a tooth. Might want to give them a call to see if they want it back.

It’s squishy.

 

[Just John]

It’s squishy.

I guess we know why it fell out then.

 

[areefer01]

I introduced KP rock into my established 4 year reef late last year. 25 lbs give or take. It is quality rock one pays a premium for due to the established and aged microbes that we all know is essential. You go dry you have to create it. To create it takes time. Try to rush it and you will fail to reach low earth orbit and crash back to earth. Those are just the facts.

The rocks I received I found 5 to 7 red mitrax crabs (look just like green emeralds). Those stayed in the display. One unknown crab I couldn't catch as it scurried out of the box, over my hand, and down the sink drain. I tried to remove the water trap under but it was long gone. 1 decorator crab - moved to refugium. 1 gorilla crab moved to the overflow box (mine is both deep and large and used as a mini fuge). 1 unknown crab was there as well but now in my sump - guess it went walking down the plumbing. I will move it to my refugium later. That was about it - at least that I was able to positive ID, see, and move.

Having used live rock also from Fiji years past the ideal way to catch crabs or similar sized creatures as already noted is to use the revers water bottle trick. Or use a cup, lid, Tupperware, combo with a hole large enough for it to enter but not quickly escape. Place some mastic in there, or frozen and pellet, combination of, after lights out, sit and wait. They will come. If you attached fishing line you can easily lift it out.

KP, TBS, the life that comes on it is part of the premium. Everything can be caught with a bit of patience. If you can isolate rack and stack it and throw a piece of shrimp under and catch it. That works also. Whatever you do, don't waste your money on premium rock if the plan is to nuke/sterilize it

 

[Reefing102]

Just to add to it, my second round of live rock from KP had a limited amount of bubble algae but also had a sheet like bubble algae that grew out from the rock (destroyed by the mithrax crabs).

 

[Intense37754]

Here’s the rocks in my QT.

After a series of dips into salt water plus a final dip in hypersaline water, I realized there weren’t any more “pests” I should worry about. I purchased 2 emerald crabs, so the bubble algae should be gone! I’m very happy with this purchase!

Is that the LTA and clowns you got a few weeks ago? If so they look like they are doing great!!!

 

[Miami Reef]

Is that the LTA and clowns you got a few weeks ago? If so they look like they are doing great!!!

No. It didn’t even last a week. It wasn’t doing well at the LFS (not attaching, mouth gaping) it never healed and withered away. This is the Sebae and it’s doing phenomenal.

 

[Intense37754]

No. It didn’t even last a week. It wasn’t doing well at the LFS (not attaching, mouth gaping) it never healed and withered away. This is the Sebae and it’s doing phenomenal.

That really sucks about the LTA and it’s hard to see but which type of Sebae is it? I’ve always found sebaes to be more difficult than other Nems. Looks great in the pic and the clowns look happy with it

 

[DeniseAndy]

I also will qt live rock in its own tank for about 3 months. I love using live rock. If I find something I do not want, I just remove it. So much diversity and fun to find things months later growing.