Indo-Pacific Sea Farm Packages

[William Morris]

When you vaccum the sandbed will you injure them?
Will they do ok in a crushed coral substrate?

 

[William Morris]

My largest micro-hermits are about the size of small scarlet hermits. Most live in abandoned trochus shells if that helps give you and idea of the size. While the biggest of the bunch could still potentially knock over small frags that aren't well attached, mine rarely knock anything over ... unlike my halloween hermits or large trochus snails.

As for the crushed coral substrate, it would make a fantastic refuge for amphipods ... and they would probably be a good help in processing and detritus that gets trapped in it.

I have read some threads where people talk about the amphipods damaging their zoa's. Supposedly only eating the damaged or decaying tissue but problematic in that the zoa's won't open, etc.
Kind of on the fence about adding these little guys.

 

[sp1187]

I got the mix n match from Gerald a few months ago too. Communication was great, items packed well, and I liked it. The hermits are small, but the small snails are really annoying, they keep going out of my tank. The amphipods grew a lot, I see a ton of them at night. He included a colony of blastos that is doing great. Would buy again.

how did you come about getting blasto's? just included surprise/gift?
I want to order, but I can't find enough listed product that I want/need to get the free shipping.

 

[User1]

I posted this in the Vendor Feedback forum but I'm thinking it's more relevant here.

Gerald from IPSF replied to my email and is suggesting to use the Live Sand Activator Plus Package.
Here is the link: Package
Not exactly sure what everything in the package is geared to do.
Would like some input from other's experiences using Gerald's packages.
Specifically:

1. using the activated sand that is added to the substrate
2. Liquid N-Reducer - concentrated solution of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria
3. Wondermud: A seawater-based slurry of fine-grained calcium carbonate-based sediments, shell fragments, aerobic organic detritus, beneficial bacteria and marine micro-invertebrates.
4. With the Wondermud there is also: Reef Amphipods, Mama Mia Worms, Baby Bristle Worms, baby shrimps, baby snails and as a very diverse assemblage of reef phytoplankton and zooplankton.
5. Reef Amphipods

Will any of the above create more of a problem than a solution in my 32G Biocube? Or is there anything in this package that you would be hesitant to add to your display or sump? Thinking of the critters mostly - have read many stories about Bristle Worms creating nightmares for people. Maybe his worms are different?

Interesting question. I was going to say I doubt many here have more experience than Mr. Heslinga but I believe you are asking further clarification on some of his suggestions. IPSF is a hidden gem in the reefing community to be honest and he has done some amazing work for the hobby.

As someone noted above I also order about once or twice a year via them. Macro algae - because it provides the best natural source of food and treats for my tanks which provides amazing colors. Tune up packages because I like to replenish things over the course of a year as my copperband butterfly and other fish much on some of the package.

Bristle worms are like damsels. People that don't understand what they do in our environments are scared to death of them. Those that understand swear by them. I fall into the latter and love them. Best scavenger. Great source of knowing how your feeding habits are (over or under based on their population). Micro starts are great. Micro hermits stay small but be advised I've had two grow up to be monsters (very large such that they house in a turbo snail shell). True - happened twice now and I just place them in the sump.

Nerite snails as noted above escape. If you have every been to Hawaii they are all over anyway and in and out of tide pools. Good cleaners but boy do they leave the tank. If he has the strombus (sp) grazers which are small get those instead. You will get 6 and before you know it you will have 40. They are great and readily reproduce in our tanks. Eggs are a small sack / dot with about 10 - 20 specs / eggs inside. Pretty neat.

An established tank about the only thing I avoid is the coralline plates. But again I'm usually twice a year buying tang heaven live macro algae, coral heaven food, and some mix and max of 6 / tuneup. Great company.

 

[malacoda]

He doesn't sell Asterina starfish. He sells "mini - starfish" as the video above shows. The are actually amazing.

Doh! My mistake. You are correct, can't believe I forgot about those. For some reason I thought I remembered getting a few asternia-like stars as well ... but the moment you posted that video it snapped my memory back. They are indeed mini serpent-like stars.

Anyhow, I love the stuff from IPSF and highly recommended them for tuning up a reef tank.

 

[User1]

how did you come about getting blasto's? just included surprise/gift?
I want to order, but I can't find enough listed product that I want/need to get the free shipping.

They are not an aquaculture source. Golden or Yellow leathers mostly. I have a neon green that is pretty. But no, he isn't a chop shop, aquaculture coral farm. It is more around sustainment, food, and establish. Inventory does change though.

 

[User1]

Doh! My mistake. You are correct, can't believe I forgot about those. For some reason I thought I remembered getting a few asternia-like stars as well ... but the moment you posted that video it snapped my memory back. They are indeed mini serpent-like stars.

Anyhow, I love the stuff from IPSF and highly recommended them for tuning up a reef tank.

Your fine I thought maybe a typo or what happens to me I'm thinking of one thing but I end up typing something totally different. The micro stars are really neat though. Great little micro fauna lads that do an amazing job.

 

[qhduong]

how did you come about getting blasto's? just included surprise/gift?
I want to order, but I can't find enough listed product that I want/need to get the free shipping.

It was included as a freebie.

 

[ryshark]

Anyone try the reef plankton from there?

 

[t5Nitro]

I'm getting some of the nitrifying bacteria. Has anybody used it as a dose rather than pour the full bag in? Itll be going into my 75.

 

[Judy Carley]

They are not asterina stars they are mini brittle stars and are the best thing in the package. I have ordered the stars from them many of times. They can multiply but are detritus feeders and highly suggested.

Yes, the best thing! NOT asterina!

 

[Nano sapiens]

IPSF, now that brings back memories. I ordered some man-made rock (more like 'plate rock') from him back when he first opened up shop in Hawaii and a pair of small clams. For those that don't know, he has a long history with mariculture and started actively culturing giant clams decades ago in Micronesia:

https://meilin5giantclam.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/tedxkamuela-giant-clam-farming-by-gerald-heslinga/

In short, wouldn't hesitate to order from him if I needed biodiversity and was okay with the expense. I would trust his recommendations.