Hypo or Hypersalinity Dip for Live Rock to expel and evaluate hitchhikers?

[Tired]

Actually, I don't think you need to worry much about life dying off. Just feed the rock. Pop in some food now and then for things to eat, keep an acceptable light over it for the algae, and so on.

That said, if you haven't heard any very loud clicking (could mean a mantis shrimp), or seen any big crabs, it's probably fine to add. Ich being on the rock is pretty unlikely.

If you keep hearing clicks, I would keep running bottle traps for a bit to try and find out what made that noise. It's probably a pistol shrimp, but confirming it would be good.

Sponges are generally harmless. Some species are fast-growing and can be an issue from that, but it won't hurt to leave them in briefly and see what they do. If they start growing fast, yank 'em.

 

[dochow]

Nothing for me from bottle trap. Definitely clicking from likely pistol shrimp.

Not much more to report from my tank. Thinking just pistol shrimp and brittle stars really.

Maybe I try a hyposalinity dip to shake things free. Not sure bottle trap going to work.

I haven’t changed water yet.

 

[fishface NJ]

I have my QT setup in the garage. So I never no idea if there is a clicking sound. How often would one hear a clicking sound from a shrimp?

 

[CK00020]

Both mantis and pistols click?

 

[fishface NJ]

I know I am over complicating this and being overly cautious.

I hate API tests. Would you feel comfortable in adding rocks to a DT if this is the ammonia results?

 

[CK00020]

How long have you been qt’ing the rock?
Badge looks safe, api kits I’m not familiar with but looks good

 

[fishface NJ]

How long have you been qt’ing the rock?
Badge looks safe, api kits I’m not familiar with but looks good

I received it on Wednesday morning. I did only one water change on Thursday

 

[CK00020]

Was the badge ever green, then came back to yellow?

 

[fishface NJ]

I didn't put the badge in until today. The water on Thursday had a smell

 

[CK00020]

Doesn’t it say something about waiting 24 hours when putting the badge in water, or am I wrong

 

[dochow]

Trying again bottle trap. When you move around QT tank with rock you will hear snapping. Usually it is a defensive thing and territory snap.

Some more critters, rock was full of brittle stars.

And here is picture of tiny shrimp!

 

[dochow]

Welp, first bad character here! Fire worm!! How do I dispose of humanely?

Make sure you are checking your rock at night! Lots of stuff emerging. Should have been doing this more.

 

[dochow]

Welp, first bad character here! Fire worm!!

Make sure you are checking your rock at night! Lots of stuff emerging. Should have been doing this more.

 

[Cole.mormon]

DOWN THE TOILET HE GOES

 

[Tired]

Oo, neat.

Flushing isn't a humane killing method. That said, I don't believe worms feel pain? Crustaceans might.

I keep clove oil on hand in case I have to euthanize a sick or injured fish. It's a humane way to kill them- basically a sedative overdose. I'd be inclined to say you should get some clove oil, since it's good to have it on hand anyway, and use that to kill anything you don't want to keep that other people won't want either.

 

[dochow]

How about this next to this brittle star this AM? Flatworm? Or Nudibranch?

 

[dochow]

 

[dochow]

 

[Tired]

Might be a stomatella snail. If you gently annoy it with something, does it have a small shell, like a thumbnail, under any of its mantle? If so, that's a stomatella- harmless algae-eater. If not, flatworm or nudibranch, which should come out. Either it's a predator or it eats a diet so specific it'll starve in your tank.

 

[dochow]

I’ll take a closer look when I get home. Maybe a stomatella snail like you mentioned, but at quick glance this AM looked more flatworm like.

It is currently in this:

Aerated plastic cup with lid inside of larger plastic jar with lid. Hopefully doesn’t get out!