Cucumber info

[Fastlane]

OK. So I hear about cucumbers being dangerous creatures for my tank cause when they die or get picked on, they release the toxins and die. Fine. Don't get cukes.

So then, I talk to an LFS guy and he says that it is only the filter feeding cukes (i.e. sea apples, etc) that are bad.

Then I look at Bob Fenner's site and he says they aren't a good idea.

Then I look at ffexpress and they sell them in virtually all their clean-up crews.

So my question is obviously who do I believe? If cukes are safe, which ones are good and which ones to avoid?

Any info would be great. Thanks for all the info so far. :-)

[Ninong]

Hi Fastlane, welcome to Reefland! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

I would avoid any of the pretty ones, the filter feeders that just perch on a rock and wave their tentacles in the "breeze."

It's OK to get one of the ugly ones that just mop the sand bed, pushing sand in the front end and out the back end.

Regards,

Ninong [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[hcp28]

I've heard Tiger Cukes are completley non-toxic you could blend one up and pour it in the tank and not suffer any results from toxins.... I would not advise to do this though... if you do get a cuke may want to cover your intake of powerheads with something like a sponge to keep them from getting chopped up. HTH

Henry

Oh yeah almost forgot! WELCOME TO REEFLAND!!!!!

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Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole and die.
-Mel Brooks

[This message has been edited by hcp28 (edited 02-27-2001).]

[Fastlane]

Thanks for the replies!

I really want to get the sand critters pumping. I have about 15lbs of live rock in my 65g that is nicely pink/purple, but was already very cured at the LFS, so not a bunch of hitchers. What would you recommend to better set up the microenvironment for my other inhabitants? Detrivore kits? If so, what specifically should be in them?

[Ninong]

Fastlane ~

Two online vendors in the U.S. that provide detrivore kits are www.ipsf.com and www.inlandaquatics.com

I don't know if they ship livestock to Canada, however. What about J&L Aquatics, do they carry anything like that?

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

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Irrational Exuberance!

[hinescom]

Ive got what I belive they call a 5star. It looks like a big dog turd,(pardon the feces remark)but it really looks like one. Its suppose to be reef safe though. Their kind of cool in a very sick way though.

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Go somewhere else and sell crazy, were all full here!.............

[VP]

Read this link: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...wb/default.asp

There is still a danger of poisoning your aquarium with the sand sifting type but the danger is not as great as with the filter feeding brightly colored ones like sea apples. I have been debating whether or not to put one in my aquarium... afraid the puffer or hippo tang might bug it and cause it to blow!

[This message has been edited by VP (edited 02-27-2001).]

[Fastlane]

Thanks again Ninong. I had never heard of J&L. Looks pretty solid, although their detrivore kits look much weaker than IPSF. I have sent the email to see if they ship to Canada and if so, at what exhorbitant rate. I may post an update if anything interesting comes in.

[Fastlane]

VB- Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for on the cukes.

[VP]

More good links on the cukes...
http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen2.html http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm

[squdgy]

I am thinking about getting a cuke for my refuge... What are the risks??? I have no power heads or heaters in the refuge tank? Just don't want to poison my tank... Would like
to use it to help stir the sand... HAve lots of crotters, but thought one of these would help also....