[Pszemol]

I have problems with hermit crabs in my tank. Last week one died during molting process - he looked like he could not leave the old skeleton. Today the second shows signs of problems. He has left the shell and lays on the substrate on his back barely moving

I was told, high PO4 level could be the reason for problems with molting so I have measured it in my tank and it was 0.5mg/l. I think it is too high.

Could it be the reason for problems with my big hermit crabs?
What is the best way to get rid of it without making harm to other invertebrates?

Where can I read about different risk involved with certain levels of phosphates in the water? What is the dangerous level? What is the average level of PO4 on the reef?

[Venaman]

the best way of getting rid of PO4 is definitely
kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide), they sell it at LFS normally, there are instructions on it.
Drip it very slowly, like 1 drop per second or slower
Ive been told its best to drip at night

also RO/DI water is necessary for getting rid of phosphates
just my 2cents

[organicreefer]

youre po4 isnt the cause of youre problem,im not quite sure what it is,but it isnt youre phosphates.........as usual ,more info please

[Pszemol]

Originally posted by organicreefer
as usual ,more info please

What info whould you need? Amonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates less then 5, salnity 1.024, temp 77F, tank is running ~6 weeks with 3 small fish (2 maroon clowns, 1 royal gramma).
I had general problems with this tank recently - feather duster died on me releasing gooey liquid to the water - did not removed it thinking it is spawning. Red scallop died two days ago and was eatten by my crew of small hermit crabs of unknown species from Florida beach, almost nothing has left :-( Fish are feeling excellent, brown mashrooms are ok, small feather dusters in the life rock is feeling perfectly... what else can I tell you?

These hermit crabs which died (or dying) were big, about 2-3 inches wide, "hunted" alive when snorkeling on Florida beach in December, too.

[organicreefer]

the animals you have lost have just not aclimated well imo.either the acclimation procedure itself ,those particular animals were just not suited to youre conditions,or the source is to blame(capture /collection techniques)."flame scallops "arent famous for there survival rates,and large feather dusters often dont last that long either,ime.they need lots of food.some hermits (you dont know what they were do you?)can be very sensitiveto changes in water conditions too.
you have a new tank as well @ 6 weeks ,some people are just getting throught the cycle.....

[Pszemol]

Originally posted by organicreefer
the animals you have lost have just not aclimated well imo.either the acclimation procedure itself ,those particular animals were just not suited to youre conditions,or the source is to blame(capture /collection techniques)."flame scallops "arent famous for there survival rates,and large feather dusters often dont last that long either,ime.they need lots of food.

I agree with you about scallop, it was listed as "difficult", I was warned not to buy it - I did not listen - I have what I asked for... But feather duster? It was listed as "easy to keep"! I do not understand what has happened to him

some hermits (you dont know what they were do you?)can be very sensitiveto changes in water conditions too.

I do not think so. I have transported them in very bad conditions in December, no water temperature control, amonia level so high that it was out of my chart when I got to Chicago. But they survived without any problems and were feeling excelent for all these weeks I was starting aquarium. The first one was feeling perfectly even the night before it died - next morning it was stif, not moving, dead, with its skeleton half open - this is the reason I guess it had problems with molting. The socond one is not feeling good for a week now, not making any trips, sitting in one place filtering water, I had to feed him manualy because it did not find the food - so the socond guy is sick and is dying for some different reason then the first one, who up to it end was kicking well. You right about I am not sure what the species they are - they are pure carnivores, that's for sure

you have a new tank as well @ 6 weeks ,some people are just getting throught the cycle.....

That is not true also... To cycle my tank I used crushed coral from my friends tank and cured life rock. Amonia pik I had after a couple days from starting and after less then a week nitrites level was on the zero. So the tank was cycled extraordinary quickly. Copepod developed in the week and half. Almost 5 weeks now they live in pure water, without amonia or nitrites, pH 8.1 stable and alkalinity at 45-50meq/l. The one bad factor I could measured is PO4 which is on 0.5mg/l, this is the only thing I am not sure.

[Hammerhead]

Does kalkwasser really get rid of PO4 and if so, would the B-Ionic 2 part solution have the same effect???

Thanks!