Hi! I’m new to this forum and saltwater fish keeping in general. I’m a biology student, so I’m poor but willing to learn. I recently acquired a sea urchin from one of our labs (the experiment was over and they were getting rid of them), and threw together a setup as quickly and cheaply as possible. I have a small (1 gallon tank) with an air bubbler, filled with Instant Ocean. I also have some algae sheets to feed him (although he hasn’t touched them.)
To my extreme surprise, the sea urchins is still alive. However, I know he’s not thriving, and he isn’t active, even at night.
I’ve read up a bit on basic saltwater keeping, but it’s mostly geared towards experienced aquarium-keepers, and I haven’t even had a goldfish since I was a kid. I also visited my local fish store. They haven’t had any luck with sea urchins, and didn’t have much advice. They said that they could help me set up a tank, but it would cost, at minimum, $300-400. I can’t spend that much, at least not right now.
Assuming my sea urchin continues to survive, I’d like to make some improvements to his tank. I have about $25-30 a month to spend on this. What do you think I should buy?
Any additional advice? Anybody successfully kept sea urchins?
P.S. I know this whole situation isn’t ideal, but I already have the sea urchin, and I wouldn’t dream of getting anything else until I’m actually prepared. I figure he was free and he was going to die anyways, so I might as well give it my best shot.
To my extreme surprise, the sea urchins is still alive. However, I know he’s not thriving, and he isn’t active, even at night.
I’ve read up a bit on basic saltwater keeping, but it’s mostly geared towards experienced aquarium-keepers, and I haven’t even had a goldfish since I was a kid. I also visited my local fish store. They haven’t had any luck with sea urchins, and didn’t have much advice. They said that they could help me set up a tank, but it would cost, at minimum, $300-400. I can’t spend that much, at least not right now.
Assuming my sea urchin continues to survive, I’d like to make some improvements to his tank. I have about $25-30 a month to spend on this. What do you think I should buy?
Any additional advice? Anybody successfully kept sea urchins?
P.S. I know this whole situation isn’t ideal, but I already have the sea urchin, and I wouldn’t dream of getting anything else until I’m actually prepared. I figure he was free and he was going to die anyways, so I might as well give it my best shot.
