Moving! Should I dip my whole tank?

[dannyab84]

Hey guys,

I am moving my tank tomorrow 2 hours south to my new house. In my tank I have a few critters that can seem to bother my coral at times. Asterina starfish are probably the only reason why I would do this as they have exploded in population. However, I am nervous that this could be a good idea. I would be able to replace pods and take out the snails before dipping. but, would it be right for me to do? I just want to start fresh and I'm trying to avoid a cycle too.

55 gallon with 20 gallon frag tank attached.

Thank you for any advice

Dan

 

[tankstudy]

Asterina starfish are tough critters. Many if not all survive my dip treatments.

Some people use harlequin shrimp for starfish control but I've never done it, so I'm not sure how effective it is.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm not sure what you mean by dipping your tank. However, you never want to dip rock (0r sand or anything but coral). Coral dips are just that....for corals only.

 

[dannyab84]

Asterina starfish are tough critters. Many if not all survive my dip treatments.

Some people use harlequin shrimp for starfish control but I've never done it, so I'm not sure how effective it is.

Yeah, the harlequin shrimp method did work for me for a time. however, my SPS like a lot of flow and the little guy would be pushed around like crazy. I can try again I suppose. Just don't like to put anything in my tank that is set up for failure. my new tank will not have sand so many he can grip onto the bottom with some purple coralline growth.

And that's really good to know that they survive the dip sometimes. If I don't get them all then is pointless.

I'm not sure what you mean by dipping your tank. However, you never want to dip rock (0r sand or anything but coral). Coral dips are just that....for corals only.

I was going to use bayers Dip. And yes the whole rock however, I'm thinking you're right. not the best idea.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

peroxide worked pretty well on my stars on smaller frags. plus it kills pest algae.
wont kill the cycling bacteria. cheap cuz your going to need a lot.
reef safe. people dose it for algae.

Inexpensive to test it out for your self in a small container.
5 w to 1 peroxide. for corals seawater rock rodi or tank water. about 3 min stuff jumps off about 5 it stops moving.
rinse well.
see pest algae thread challenge.
search twillard peroxide pest
and brandon429

I just deep cleaned my 30g on the last transfer like this.
check it out.

 

[brandon429]

If it wasn't freezing cold I'd PayPal you to send me some asterinas Danny

My lfs is out strangely enough none are in the tanks

They look good in little pico reefs I do want some but in larger zo tanks or in great numbers I know they can be annoying