Trying to avoid major blunders

[tsuyoshi]

Ok. So, since you guys helped me to save my sun coral, it has done absolutely splendidly. In fact, it upped my motivation and appreciation more than I expected.

I have since added three feather dusters and a scallop. I am aware that all of these should be easy enough to keep, but I have a history of stupidity, and would prefer to not to take chances with livestock...

I'm feeding them Marine Snow (them and the Sun), though I've only just started with this.

I'm also using Araga Milk and a reef solution to promote the coraline growth...

So, I guess..."Am I doing anything stupid, or forgetting something that I should not have missed?"

 

[Detri]

Nothing stupid at all hehe. Though you should be warned. Scallops can be hard to keep. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't last. Even the beft reef keepers have a hard time or have no luck.

 

[tsuyoshi]

any particular reason why? i'd like to have him stay about. he amuses me beyond belief! (his mouth does this little electric thing that's just so much fun!)

 

[Detri]

I really don't know. There are a few discussions on scallops here on the boards. I'll post links if I get time later. I think they are amazing looking as well, just never got one. Once i figure out how to keep what I have from dying I may try. Not sure though. I get upset when something doesn't last. I got a Torch Coral That didn't last 3 days in my tank. Now I am affraid to get frogspawn or a hammer.

 

[spongebob lover]

i've heard that Marine snow is not that good.
For the Sun, i'd say feed brine shrimp, finely chopped krill, frozen mysis, cyclpeeze too and may be some of the frozen formula (the red type).

well i hope you find more info on the feather dusters and the scallop and good luck .

 

[spongebob lover]

Ron dood, frogspawn and hammers are suppose to be easier to keep especially frogspawn.
hammers can be pretty agressive if there's a coral near by them.
i'd say you try with the frogspawn to start .

 

[wrightme43]

Scallops I have never had a problem keeping at all. I took mine out of my tank at 2 years old. I understand they only live 2-3 years. I have them in two tanks I maintain. No problems no supplemental feeding.
Feather dusters are easy to keep. Again no supplemental feeding. I do blow the rocks off with a turkey baster every maintence visit though. The sun coral it is my understanding a target feeding with a nice meaty food works best. Then cover with a upside down bowl to keep shrimp and fish from stealing the food.

 

[NaH2O]

Here is an article for you, and a quote to follow: Flame Scallops by Rob Toonen.

Just in case that didn’t sink in, I wanted to make a point of emphasizing that the survival record of flame scallops in captivity has traditionally been extremely poor.

In terms of their lifestyle, flame scallops are specialist filter feeders that quite simply require a lot of planktonic food of the correct particle size. Unlike the more popular and expensive giant clams (members of the genus Tridacna), flame and flashing scallops lack any photosynthetic symbionts to help out with providing nutrition to the animal. The brilliant red color of the tissue and long tentacles of these animals is due instead to an unusually high concentration of caroteinods in their tissues (Lin and Pompa 1977) . Without the aid of photosynthetic symbionts from which to draw some nutritional support, flame scallops must rely solely on their ability to filter tiny particles from the water passing over them in order to support themselves. However, these animals do not simply filter any passing particles. They must also be of the correct size and flavor for the flame scallops to collect and ingest the particles.

I wonder if Steve's blasting off the live rock is allowing enough particulates to be put into the water column, the scallop is able to get a good meal?

I would also feed the sun coral something a bit meatier, as marine snow doesn't have much too it. Watch how much you use...I believe it is basically the same as detritus, so by turkey basting your rocks often, you will be freeing the same organics into the water column to be used by what needs them, then they get skimmed off (provided a skimmer is on the system).

 

[wrightme43]

Yeah I have to agree with Nikki, I think it has alot to do with the blowing off the rock. Also just on a random note, I do weird stuff.
My manderin goby eats new life spectrum food, (the second one I have got to do that) I shred chunks of shrimp from the store in the tank with my hands, I shake off my chaeto in the water before I thin it, (I think it knocks some of the pods and baby pods off) I just in general do weird stuff.

 

[spongebob lover]

Yeah I have to agree with Nikki, I think it has alot to do with the blowing off the rock. Also just on a random note, I do weird stuff.
My manderin goby eats new life spectrum food, (the second one I have got to do that) I shred chunks of shrimp from the store in the tank with my hands, I shake off my chaeto in the water before I thin it, (I think it knocks some of the pods and baby pods off) I just in general do weird stuff.

you?? doing weird stuff ??? nawww .
well at least you don't tooth brush your rocks .

 

[tsuyoshi]

Heh, my rookiehood shines once again! i never thought of the fact that blowing off the rocks would put food into the water. i mean, i see it kick up at every water change (the tank is small, there's no room to put in water without disturbing the whole thing...), but i never thought about the fact that this could be used as food!

Thankies!

-J

 

[spongebob lover]

i do this twice a week , i use my turkey baster and i start blowing off the rocks and yes !! sometimes tooth brushes can do wonders the soft ones.