I've got a feather duster!....

[ScubaPrawn]

I've got a feather duster for a hitchhiker in my LR. I just noticed it today. I know a lot of people like them--are they particularly good for the tank in some way?

From what little I've been able to gather, they're worms and popular b/c they're easy to keep.

What should I do to make sure this little guy is happy? :dance:

[Romulox234]

You should spot feed it with phyto every now and then, there filter feeders so there benfificial by filtering your water :thumbsup:

[ScubaPrawn]

You should spot feed it with phyto every now and then, there filter feeders so there benfificial by filtering your water :thumbsup:

Do I do that with a pipette? I'm guessing buy the phyto from an LFS? Is it ok to do this during the cycling period?

Thanks for the advice! :)

[Romulox234]

Yeah it would be alright with a pipettte i use a turkey baster to feed my tank but pretty much anything you can suck it up with and squirt it out will be just fine.

Your lfs should have bottles of phyto plankton available,

The only thing is that during the cycling process which lasts usally 4-5 weeks you shouldnt buy anything, no fish, no corals, no snails as the ammonia and other bacteria in the tank will spike and kill everything then stabalize and return to normal levels.

Seeing as how you already have the feather duster you should feed it phyto and try to keep it alive but i advise you against buying any other corals or anything until your tank is fully done cycling

Btw how far along are you into your cycle?

[Daimyo68]

Have you ID'd it on the web and made sure it's a duster?

[Flipper62]

If you can post a pic...that would be better. This way its easier to give you advive...and to be sure that it is a Feather Duster.

[ScubaPrawn]

Thanks guys. I have to run to the hospital, but I'll post a pic when I get back.

[HumanIMDB]

I clicked on this link fully expecting to see "and I'm not afraid to use it!" as the first sentence. ;)

[ScubaPrawn]

Here's a picture of the little guy. It's hard to get a good pic because he's hiding under the shade of the LR.

http://img44.imageshack.us/i/p1280089.jpg/

I'm just so happy to see some life in the tank. :spin3:

So is the consensus to go ahead and start feeding him even though I'm not sure if my tank is done cycling?

Also here's a pic of my tank with brown stuff on the bottom. What is this called and what's the best way to clean it up without sucking the sand out of the tank as well? Thanks!

http://img44.imageshack.us/i/p1280089.jpg/

[ScubaPrawn]

I don't know why but the images aren't loading up. Here is a direct link to them:

http://img44.imageshack.us/i/p1280089.jpg/
http://img710.imageshack.us/i/p1280090.jpg/

[Romulox234]

Oh wow thats the feather duster you were talking about, ,my mistake i was under the impression it was one of those big ones that they sell at the lfs.

But since its just that tiny little one you dont need to do anything special for it no phyto, no feedings nothing extra. It is a filter feeder and wil get all its nutrients from the water. In no time you will see lots of these popping up i have them all over my tank