I know bristle worms are supposed to be good for your tank and hence the reason many people have them. However, do you have them in your main tank or your refugium. I have numerous in my refugium, but was curious if i should put some in the main tank as well.
Bristle Worm Debate!!!
- Thread starter hurrifan
- Start date
Some worms are good, too many worms bad.
The good thing is that they clean up fish leftovers.
The bad thing is that they can wipe out smaller critters in the tank, plus they do not reduce nitrogens but add to the bioload.
Hardware stores sell 18" long metal push/release grabbers for about $1.
Perfect for pruning worm population when it gets out of hand.
Also handy for retrieving leftovers and stuff without getting your hands into the tank (which is good for both fish and you).
LeoR
[ April 12, 2002: Message edited by: LeoR ]</p>
The good thing is that they clean up fish leftovers.
The bad thing is that they can wipe out smaller critters in the tank, plus they do not reduce nitrogens but add to the bioload.
Hardware stores sell 18" long metal push/release grabbers for about $1.
Perfect for pruning worm population when it gets out of hand.
Also handy for retrieving leftovers and stuff without getting your hands into the tank (which is good for both fish and you).
LeoR
[ April 12, 2002: Message edited by: LeoR ]</p>
The keyword here is: balance.
Contrary to some mantras, there is no critter that is not harmful when its population becomes excessive.
Same general rules apply whether you are a farmer or aquarist: one species can and will upset the whole ecosystem if not kept in check.
In the nature, unlimited diversity takes care of the balance.
In the tank, diversity is limited to what you put in it, so you must act as the balancing hand.
LeoR
Contrary to some mantras, there is no critter that is not harmful when its population becomes excessive.
Same general rules apply whether you are a farmer or aquarist: one species can and will upset the whole ecosystem if not kept in check.
In the nature, unlimited diversity takes care of the balance.
In the tank, diversity is limited to what you put in it, so you must act as the balancing hand.
LeoR
Posted by Leo:
The keyword here is: balance.
Contrary to some mantras, there is no critter that is not harmful when its population becomes excessive.
-You are correct balance is the most important thing. IMO if you have too many bristle worms then you have been feeding to much which would only lead to imbalance anyway.
Steve
The keyword here is: balance.
Contrary to some mantras, there is no critter that is not harmful when its population becomes excessive.
-You are correct balance is the most important thing. IMO if you have too many bristle worms then you have been feeding to much which would only lead to imbalance anyway.
Steve
bigluke:
Metal + Saltwater is a No-No, unless the metal is stainless.
These $1 grabbers are "made in China" stainless (meaning: not really stainless), but because they are so cheap they can (and should) be discarded when they start rusting.
If you rinse and dry them after use, they'll last much longer.
LeoR
[ April 13, 2002: Message edited by: LeoR ]</p>
Metal + Saltwater is a No-No, unless the metal is stainless.
These $1 grabbers are "made in China" stainless (meaning: not really stainless), but because they are so cheap they can (and should) be discarded when they start rusting.
If you rinse and dry them after use, they'll last much longer.
LeoR
[ April 13, 2002: Message edited by: LeoR ]</p>
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by LeoR:
<strong>Some worms are good, too many worms bad.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hmmm, gotta disagree here. I'd say the vast majority of worms are good, very few are bad. In fact, I think bristle worms are probably the best clean up critter one can get! They do a tremendous job of reducing (read: eating) uneaten fish food and waste. Without them, our DSBs would be much closer to being the nutrient-sinks/ticking-time-bombs detractors claim they are.
Kevin
<strong>Some worms are good, too many worms bad.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hmmm, gotta disagree here. I'd say the vast majority of worms are good, very few are bad. In fact, I think bristle worms are probably the best clean up critter one can get! They do a tremendous job of reducing (read: eating) uneaten fish food and waste. Without them, our DSBs would be much closer to being the nutrient-sinks/ticking-time-bombs detractors claim they are.
Kevin
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