Sand Critters

[littleprince]

When reading about deep sand beds and the such, people in the states very often add DSB critters in a kit. I've never seen these available here in Canada. Is there some place I can get them? I dont think critters have moved into my sand from lr the way they should.

[johnfish]

It took a few months for the critters to spread from the rock in my tank.

I mostly see worms and pods.

Bristle worms come in various lengths and diameters. The big fat ones like the rocks, where the very thin ones about an inch long are the major diggers in the sand bed. Them and spagetti worms like the sand. The spagetti worms are very long and thin and build little tubes to live in.

You can see these worms at the edge of the bed where they have burrowed in.

The pods are amphipods, isopods and copepods. The pods don't seem to dig too deep into the sand.

The amphipods are big, up to about a quarter inch long. They kinda look like little shrimp. We used to call them Sand Fleas.

The isopods are smaller and have lots of legs along the edges with a segmented body. They look like Wood Bugs.

The copepods are tiny. They look like little long specs on the glass until you get a magnifier. Them they look like little bugs with split tails.

Those detrivore kits are almost impossible to get in Canada. No body sells them here and nobody will ship here.

I think AJ here at Aquariumpros is working on getting some kits in, but no luck so far.

Jayson at Salt Water Connection in Winnipeg might be able to help you. He has live sand and also a concentrated version.

http://www.saltwaterconnection.com/

Harspen Marine Fish has live sand:

http://www.soonet.ca/harspen/index.html

Hi Impact Aquarium Service in Calgary has Live Amphipods for sale:

http://www.hiimpactaqua.com/Products/products.html

Otherwise, the best source is other people in the hobby.


Good luck!

[johnfish]

Oh, yeah. Check out your tank at night with a flashlight. You might have more tiny critters in there than you think!

[afss]

I have live sand and a few different macros. I won't be back to toronto till the next MAST meeting. If you want to make a trip to St Catharines let me know and we can talk.

Scott

[littleprince]

I have pods and bristle worms and such. I've seen bristle worms on the rock, and possibly sorta underneath the rock.

I was thinking there was something else.

I dont really see anything up against the glass, and havent noticed too much things at night with a red led. Of course its not very bright so I might be missing some things.

I'm just wondering if my sand is as "alive" as it should/could be. If waiting for critters to spread from lr is enough, I guess I'm ok. If there should be something else, than I'll try those locations posted.

[Dman]

Johnfish,
I'm pretty sure Harspen is no more.
Dman
:spin:

[pluff]

I wouldn't BUY anything from HARSPEN...hes a complete RIP OFF.....BEEN THERE DONE THAT

JUST MY $0.2 Cents:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[johnfish]

Sorry, I didn't know about Harspen. I just found the website on a search. Their website is still up. Never dealt with them though.

Jayson at Saltwater Connection is very reputable. I have dealt with him. He had some concentrated live sand similar to GARF Grunge for sale at about $7.00 a pound. He might have other critters for sale too.

How long has your tank been set up, Littleprince?

It took about three months to see lots of critters with mine. I used live rock on a dead sand bed the same as you.

Cheers:)
John

[littleprince]

My tank is 2 months old now. Theres a ton of pods. Everywhere I look theres pods. And definatly bristleworms. And some other kind of small worm I've seen at night.

I'll think about the salt water connection sand. I need a few more pounds of sand anyways for the refuguim I'm planning.

[Dman]

Pluff,
Don't worry, you'll NEVER buy anything from Harspen again. Someone pulled a huge credit card scam on him and bankrupted him.
Dman
:spin:

[johnfish]

What goes around comes around.

[Trent]

That's for sure.....