Should I? - Live Sand Activator from IPSF ?

[hfmann]

Hi all,

Thinking about ordering this kit to help jump start my DSB culture. However, I'm concerned about the Hawaiin Strombus Grazers (Strombus maculatus )included in the kit. In IPSF's website they talk about how prolific they are and reportedly by one customer in no time I'd have 500+ snails in the tank. That's a bit much I think <bg>. Quote from IPSF's website:

*"I purchased product from your store about a year ago and there were Strombus snails with the order. They have multiplied like rabbits ... They look just like the ones on your site and don't get over 1/2 inch large... I am now loaded with them and they doing great.. Must have 500 or better in 100 gal tank...babies every other day seems like...."

Anybody have any experience with this creature and/or the IPSF kit? I'm new to the DSB culture and am just now installing one in my reef. I don't want to end up with an AST (All Snail Tank)! Appreciate any and all input.

As always, thanks for all the help.

Hal
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2000 recession

 

[Chucker]

Unless the live sand activator has significantly changed in recent years, I wouldn't bother. It was basically a handful of crushed coral-sized substrate when I ordered it a few years ago.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't waste your money. Grab a couple of handfulls of sludge off the bottome of the live rock bin at your LFS. It's usually free.
Jim

 

[Jeff Hood]

hfmann

I have those snails. I had them in my 75 gallon tank. I moved only two into my 500 gallon display tank and put the rest in my refugium.

Now I bet I have over 1000 in my tank and no telling how many in my refugium. I have moved a few around for genetic diversity but I am not sure how they reproduce. Male/ female? hermaphriditic? Who knows but they do multiply like rabbits.

I don't notice any thing bad other than if you don't have a screan on your pump intakes they will get into the pumps and either clog them or get into your venturi valves etc...

I like them and seem to keep my rock looking good along with their big brothers. I also have some smaller species of snails that breed just as much. some that don't get any bigger than 3 to 4 mm at best.

Jeff

 

[hfmann]

Oh MY GOSH, Jeff!

1000+ snails - My imagination paints a picture of not being able to see into the tank, and / or these snails being pureed into a very thick snail soup in the pumps. Hypothetically the young ones would get through the overflow slots and intake strainers.

The beautiful pictures of your tank certainly contradict my "theorizing". Up here in the Great Lakes area, we've got an imported freshwater zebra mussel that has become a real nusiance as they do clog all the intakes and filters at the water plants. Furthermore these mussels threaten to wipe out other native life because they are so prolific. .

Frankly, this kind of population explosion scares me. Does there seem to be any natural predation in your tanks that help to keep this under control?

Chucker, I noticed on your website that you were very satisfied with the IPSF products and customer service. Has something changed?

Thanks all for the replies - this kind of discussion is really helpful. I'm thinking that the more sources I use for populating the sand bed, the greater the diversity will be, hopefully resulting in a very successfull system.

Hal
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Arab Forum

 

[ReefRian]

I ordered the live sand activator in October and I don't remember getting any snails in my activator. Mostly amphipods, and brittle worms. I was favorable with the order. I did the 9 for $99 and did order the snails and they do reproduce, but most of the hundreds that people have are small, bearly visible. And hey, if you do get alot in your tank, then take some down to your local LFS and see if you can trade. When the snails do lay the eggs, you can also destroy the ones on the glass with your magnets, that's what I do.

Rian

 

[Piero]

don't bother. get activator free from local reefers or from the live rock bin at LFS.
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ak47

 

[saltjunkie]

yes, get the 9 for 99 just get diversity...........
good products, good company, good people.....

 

[fishfarmer]

When I ordered the 9 for 99 several years ago, I got every snail they offered. The strombus did multiply quickly but stayed small. After about a year their population did drop a little bit. I wouldn't worry too much about problems with them. I have some other type of small snail I got from a fellow reefer's tank that is half the size of a strombus but is even more prolific, but only comes out at night.

I would do what others have said about going and getting diversity from LFS, IF you have quality stores in your area with live sand and rock. I had good experience using the LS activator and Wondermud though. I had a good population of mini brittle stars which I'm pretty sure got into my tank via these kits.

 

[hfmann]

Thanks everybody. Really appreciate it. I'm taking everyone's advice and doing it all. Diversity!

Now, I just have to wait for some warmer weather so IPSF and Inland Aquatics will ship.

Thanks again,
Hal
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Smallville Forum

 

[insomniak79]

I also got the 9 for 99 from IPSF almost exactly a month ago for my 15G refugium (4" DSB). I've had it lit by one of those Home Depot PC's for 12 hours a day and most of macro's have almost doubled in size. All the copepods, worms, and other little critters seem to be thriving also. When should I start trimming back the macro? I've heard if you let them grow too much, they'll end up dying. I got all those "tang heaven" macro's, which I think are just various kinds of caulerpa. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks! -Ben

 

[insomniak79]

I forgot to mention, last month IPSF had free shipping if you get the 9 for 99. I'm not sure if they're still doing it anymore.

 

[hfmann]

Hey Ben,

Tell me more about the Home Depot PC. Exactly what do they call it?

I'm too new to refugium's to offer any help to you on harvesting the macroalgae.

Thanks for the info on the IPSF package. I'm calling them today to order.

Thanks again,

Hal
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Mercedes SL Class

 

[insomniak79]

It's a 'Lights of America' model 9027 power compact and it's in the outdoor fixtures section at HD. Since it's meant to be a fixture, I had to buy some wiring and a plug to hook it up in a regular outlet. I forget what the wattage is, but it's a lot cheaper than what you'd be paying for at your LFS (around $20-$30) or so. -Ben

 

[insomniak79]

It's a 'Lights of America' model 9027 power compact and it's in the outdoor fixtures section at HD. Since it's meant to be a fixture, I had to buy some wiring and a plug to hook it up in a regular outlet. I forget what the wattage is, but it's a lot cheaper than what you'd be paying for at your LFS (around $20-$30) or so. -Ben

 

[hfmann]

Thanks Ben,

Next time I'm at HD (every other day it seems), I'll go check it out.

Thanks gain,

Hal
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Mercedes Benz 200