polarbear Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Can I put one of these in the refugium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 If you have a heavy macro algae growth like a Calurpa sp. that has rootlets I'd advise against it. They like to crawl around just under the surface of the sand so it's either going to work the macro algea loose or it's not going to be able to get around and feed. If you have a macro algae that doesn't have rootlets I don't see a problem at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I think it depends on the purpose of your refugium. If you are simply trying to grow cheato, go for it. If you are using your refugium as a place for pods to proliferate, I would advise against it. Sand sifting stars are voracious eaters and could likely wipe out the sand in a refugium of much of the pods in short order. If you are not trying to provide a pod safe haven and want to keep any sand in the refugium clean, then I would say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarbear Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Thanks. So the reason I was asking is becuase my star is starting to die. I have it in my 90 gallon tank that has been set up for awhile. It has a crushed coral bed so I'm not sure if that's the problem. I have a 14 gallon biocube with a sand bed that I can put it is so I can spot feed it bit it has only been set up for about 2 weeks. It has live rock in it and I added water from my display tank to try to limit the cycle and so far it's helping. Should I put the star in the 14 gallon biocube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teresa Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I had a sand shifting star in my 29 biocube for about 6 months. It eventually just disintegrated - literally. I'm sure I didn't have enough of a pod population to keep it alive. I've actually been trying to stay away from starfish for that very reason - I'd rather have a live sand bed than an empty one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 +1 After reading your 2nd post it sounds like it's starving to me also and I don't think putting it in a much smaller tank wouldn't help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 I don't think any hobby aquarium is going to provide enough fauna for the long-term survival of a sand-sifting starfish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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