Spiny sea urchin for outbreak

[underwaterdan]

I am having a pretty bad algae outbreak and though this might be the perfect time to add a spiny urchin. I found one wit the lfs and was wondering if anyone thinks it'll help time my outbreak? I decided a while ago to get one but it was later in my plan. If his bad with my softies ill move him to the fuge. Any suggestions? Good or bad

 

[Naiad]

What size tank do you have? Do you mean a long spine urchin?

 

[underwaterdan]

It's a 150 and yes I mean long spine urchin.

 

[twilliard]

Be warned these guys are lawn mowers and just not grass
When they get big they don't care what they are munching on.

 

[underwaterdan]

Think it'll be easy to catch and relocate if he becomes a problem?

 

[Naiad]

Ok. Yea it will eat the algae. You still need to work out water parameters because they don't do well with high nitrate levels. It will also munch coraline, electric cords, ect. If you have acrylic it will munch that.

 

[Naiad]

Think it'll be easy to catch and relocate if he becomes a problem?

Catch yes, handle no. They are venomous. A jab really hurts. They also get big. Mine took up the entire circumference of 5 gallon bucket.

 

[twilliard]

Catch yes, handle no. They are venomous. A jab really hurts. They also get big. Mine took up the entire circumference of 5 gallon bucket.

Well said

 

[Naiad]

I loved Sauron but it got to the point were it seemed every time I stuck my hand in the tank it was mere inches from doom.

 

[twilliard]

I loved Sauron but it got to the point were it seemed every time I stuck my hand in the tank it was mere inches from doom.

Ohh and do they hurt!
It's amazing how big these guys get.
It comes to a point where you can't do much in your tank without getting poked.

 

[underwaterdan]

Oh. This all seems pretty negative. Maybe I should hold off.....

 

[twilliard]

Oh. This all seems pretty negative. Maybe I should hold off.....

Sorry not trying to make it sound negative. Just pointing out the potentials.
I loved my urchin, they are so cool but I feel that in the home aquaria they should not be. Now in 500 plus gallons with lots of room they would be just fine

 

[Naiad]

Oh. This all seems pretty negative. Maybe I should hold off.....

The long spines are the only venomous and gets the largest. Most other species are more suited for home aquariums.

 

[underwaterdan]

Do they all eat algae aggressively?

 

[chimmike]

Not as aggressively or as quickly as I think you're looking for. And they do tend to 'collect' things as they go, are indiscriminate in their movements, and can be bulldozers.