Been battling valonia now for a few months. Have 20gal so fish who eat valonia are no go. Have dropped in 4 emerald crabs. They've been in there for weeks now and barely touch the stuff. Been doing manual removal. Very difficult as I have to remove each rock, remove valonia, and sanitize area where valonia removed. I'm VERY hesitant to remove bottom rocks as I have two anemenies and a sea cucumber suspected or known to be attached to or under the rocks. Basically I'm at a point where I have to remove the bottom rocks to clean them. Is this just a terrible idea? Will emeralds become more interested in the valonia if I'm more patient? I'm also worried this level of disturbance, essentially removal of all rocks in tank, will have a negative impact on the other inhabitants. Any advice or ideas on this issue is greatly appreciated!
Unbelie-Valonia-ble!
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Ya sadly with a tank that size emeralds and manual removal are you best tools. I'd personally just remove what I could by hand without removing the base rocks but wouldn't hurt to remove the rock if you need as long as you don't keep them out of the water to long. Just setup a separate tub of saltwater to work in so you make sure you don't dry out any of the rock. Rinse with fresh saltwater or ro water before putting back in the tank.
I figure I can get all but two rocks out, maybe all but one, without disturbing nems or cucumber. Do you think there's any worry about effect on bacteria on the rock and air exposure? I will definitely keep rocks submerged when out of tank but, is there any issue in the move from tank to tub? Also, after removal of valonia, I will spot treat w/ H2O2 to kill anything I might have missed. Any thoughts on this part of the procedure?
Emeralds will work, but it will take them a while to get to the ones that you can see. They are eating the ones where they don't have to expose themselves right now. Just like the valonia did not explode overnight, cleanup will take some time too.
You can siphon them out of the tank, through a net and then put the water back into the tank. Use the end of a tube to disturb them and suck them out.
Be careful with too much removal and sanitation of rock... there are things in this world far worse than valonia. Dinos and diatoms are quick to move into sterile areas if you are not careful.
You can siphon them out of the tank, through a net and then put the water back into the tank. Use the end of a tube to disturb them and suck them out.
Be careful with too much removal and sanitation of rock... there are things in this world far worse than valonia. Dinos and diatoms are quick to move into sterile areas if you are not careful.
jda123,
That seems sound advice. I've been observing the emeralds, as much they allow, every night. It seems they're slowly taking a liking to the valonia. With your input, I will remain patient (a common theme in reefing) and let them do their thing. I've been removing via scraping/siphoning. I'll continue to. Thank you!
That seems sound advice. I've been observing the emeralds, as much they allow, every night. It seems they're slowly taking a liking to the valonia. With your input, I will remain patient (a common theme in reefing) and let them do their thing. I've been removing via scraping/siphoning. I'll continue to. Thank you!
When the time comes, the emeralds will need fed. They can eat whatever is left over from feeding the fish, but they won't want to live on poop and nothing. If you keep them fed, they are good tank mates... if you starve them, they can pick at coral and fish, just like we would.
They also tend to live about 2-3 years, so they do need replaced over time.
They also tend to live about 2-3 years, so they do need replaced over time.