something weird just happened.

[Jgisler2006]

So today I bought about 20 lbs. of LR form the LFS

After I did a little aquascaping I noticed a HUGE bristle starfish come out from one of the rocks, and then it spewed out snott looking white stuff into my tank, is this reproduction at tis finest?

Another thing I noticed one of my Rocks had a grey slime trail that was thick on it. It almost looked like grey cocking. Any Ideas?

Thanks guys

[ToddTT]

So today I bought about 20 lbs. of LR form the LFS

After I did a little aquascaping I noticed a HUGE bristle starfish come out from one of the rocks, and then it spewed out snott looking white stuff into my tank, is this reproduction at tis finest?

Another thing I noticed one of my Rocks had a grey slime trail that was thick on it. It almost looked like grey cocking. Any Ideas?

Thanks guys

Was this rock cured? Uncured rock will have die-off that will mess up your water fast. If you don't know about this, ask for more info.

Did you put it directly in your display tank? Anything you add is best put into a QT first, including rock. If the rock crashes your water, better it be your QT than your main tank.

This also gives you a chance to observe the critters you are about to add to your tank. For example, an incompatible crab might be hiding in the rock, and it will be easier to deal with such an intruder in your QT. I'm speaking from experience on this one.

A QT that is fallow (fishless) will also take care of some parasites that may have come along for the ride.

Check your water quality ASAP. Make sure your ammonia and nitrates do not spike. I would do this every day for at least a week.

[ToddTT]

Got pics?

[Steve McKay]

How long has your tank been setup?

[Parrothead]

How long has your tank been setup?

He joined here 1.19.2010, so if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say about 6 weeks or so...

[Steve McKay]

Was this rock cured? Uncured rock will have die-off that will mess up your water fast. If you don't know about this, ask for more info.

So will cured rock,there's no such thing as cured rock when it comes via UPS,FedEx etc.The only rock you can get that would be safe from die off is rock that is from a friend or the LFS and has been in a tank for approx. a month.I have bought so called cured rock and it was nowhere near cured.

[Jgisler2006]

My tank has been set up just shy of three months.

It was rock from the LFS appeared cured.

There was just this weird grey mucus like trail, and bright yellow trail along some of the rock, I have no Idea

As far as this, clam, mussel thing, I have no idea what it is either but I know its about 3 inches in diameter, closes and opens if I touch it, and has spiny shell, but is fully attached to the rock:

[Jgisler2006]

I apologize for the poor photo quality.

[Steve McKay]

I wouldn't worry about the bristle starfish spewing out a snot like substance,it was probably waste material.There is a possibility that it was trying to reproduce,but I'm not a biologist.How big is the bristle star?They can reach sizes of 12" or more,when they get this big they can pose a threat.For the most part they feed on organic matter/detritus and don't pose a threat.

As far as the gray mucus like trail and bright yellow trail along some of the rock,I don't have an answer for that but I would watch the tank day and night with a flashlight to find out what is causing this.Probably nothing to worry about.

As far as this, clam, mussel thing.It is probably what is called a Spiny Oyster or Thorny Oyster.You got it for free,they cost about $30 on up.They are filter feeders and need phytoplankton to survive.Here are two links to the oysters.

Aquacon.com Saltwater aquarium sea scallops page:

Spiny Oyster Small

[julesjt]

I also heard a good thing to do with new rock before putting it in a tank is to dunk it in 1.030 salinity for about 30 seonds to minute tops and you will see all the crittures come out of the rock that you dont want. Thank dunk the rock in 1.027 for a few days and than put it in the DT.

[Steve McKay]

I also heard a good thing to do with new rock before putting it in a tank is to dunk it in 1.030 salinity for about 30 seonds to minute tops and you will see all the crittures come out of the rock that you dont want. Thank dunk the rock in 1.027 for a few days and than put it in the DT.

I wouldn't recommend that,the sudden change in salinity might kill inverts you want to keep.Especially brittle stars.It would be better to QT the rock if your that worried about it.When starting a new tank usually you cycle it with rock,this is when you look for and find unwanted guests before you add fish or inverts.If you acquire rock after you cycle your tank QT it or if it needs curing find the critters at this time.

[julesjt]

I wouldn't recommend that,the sudden change in salinity might kill inverts you want to keep.Especially brittle stars.It would be better to QT the rock if your that worried about it.When starting a new tank usually you cycle it with rock,this is when you look for and find unwanted guests before you add fish or inverts.If you acquire rock after you cycle your tank QT it or if it needs curing find the critters at this time.

Well I guess the idea is to shock good and bad and not take chances. What do you do with a new tank and you use the rock and find unwanted guess. Once in the tank how do you take it out if it is unwanted worms and other things that will spread in the sand and rock?

[Steve McKay]

Well I guess the idea is to shock good and bad and not take chances. What do you do with a new tank and you use the rock and find unwanted guess. Once in the tank how do you take it out if it is unwanted worms and other things that will spread in the sand and rock?

There are a lot more good critters than bad.If you are referring to bristle worms,they are beneficial to a reef system.There are only a few species of bristle worm that are truly pests and they are not usually encountered.The real pests are aiptasia a pest anemone,mantis shrimp and certain crabs like the Gorilla crab.These can be dealt with and do not spread with the exception of aiptasia.If one is not in a rush to get fish and corals into a tank these pests can be identified and eliminated before it becomes a problem to deal with them.If you are that worried about pests put your rock in ro/di or distilled water with no salt and circulate the water for a week and that should take care of everything.

[ToddTT]

Check your water quality ASAP. Make sure your ammonia and nitrates do not spike. I would do this every day for at least a week.

Meant to say nitrite, but might as well check everything while you're at it.

I take it the tank is doing well?

Have you seen the brittle star since?

[Jgisler2006]

havnt seen anything except for the occasional tentacle popping out of some rock. Just did a 25% water change yesterday and everything is stable so yeah.

[Parrothead]