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- Dec 28, 2015
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That's awesome. Thank you Steve. I will save this information. It has been extremely helpful. But i have a question, is this process standard for all stars? Or just the fromias and actinias?Here's a link to my "adventures" with my first starfish, documenting the process from receiving him until the present.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/adventures-in-starfishing.255063/
I would recommend that you drip acclimate for at LEAST 5 hours. I am not sure what Griff is referring to above - but, IMHO, you don't need 1/2 gallon of water from the supplier - just the water in the bag the star came in. Pour out enough water so that the starfish is just covered. Then drip in your tank water until that volume doubles. Then remove 1/2 the water so you are back to that starting level and repeat for at least 5 hours. I used a plastic drip acclimator - there's info and a link in my thread. Makes it much easier. Plus it acclimates directly in your display tank, in the bag, so you get direct temp and water acclimation at the same time. (As a side note, many go direct to the DT and not QT with stars as you risk having to acclimate the star twice. Twice as much chance to kill it. And stars can't carry ich, etc - so minimal chance of bringing that in).
I would strongly recommend NOT doing the tupperware step listed above. While the star won't bring in ich, etc - the water could. Just lift the star out of the bag after the 5 hours and place directly in tank. The "never expose to air" is a myth. It won't hurt to be exposed for a moment. Main thing is move it quick so there is no temperature effect of being in the cooler air. There IS always a chance that what little water is on the surface of the star could bring ich in. So weigh the risk accordingly. But if you place a larger container of water into your tank, no mater how many times you acclimated it / diluted it, it's still partially the supplier's water and more of a chance to bring in trouble.
I've not heard of the "mold to the shape of the LR" theory before. I placed mine on the sand bed and he crawled up on the glass and stayed there for 2 weeks before finally going onto the LR.
It's been 4 months and he's still doing well.