Barnacle... (starting a bio-cube)

[lmatos]

Hi all...
quick question is barnacles bad, good or neutral to a saltwater system??...

here is the history

I''m starting one biocube 14 and on the future I will try some corals.....
I have my tank cycling for two weeks now with 15lb of live rock...

I put there to "help"cycle the tank some bait fish and a crab
all smaller than 2" (I got them on a beach nearby...)


On my last trip there (last weekend) I got some lettuce algae anchored to a rock and on this rock there is some very small barnacles (the larger one it's about 2mm)

I looked around and nobody talk about barnacles on a saltwater system, not either nobody sell it.....

and that is my doubt... is it good or bad??...



LM

 

[Fuzz16]

ive never heard of people wanting them in thier tank.
from what i understand though (someone shoot me down if i am wrong) they can grow quickly and overtake your tank. thats if they survive in it

 

[Chris_A]

While I'm sure it could happen, I've never heard of barnacles taking over a tank. But Fuzz16 hit the nail on the head... they would have to survive first.

They are a purly filter feeding animal and foor what ever reason their husbandry has been rather elusive. Years ago I had a tank up for predatory corals (ie; lots of POM for food) and came across a little piece of shell at a Petcetera that was COVERED with them. 2 weeks later, I had wasted $20... lol

I'm sure there are some who have managed to keep them going...

Chris

 

[Lorna]

hmmmm I would be very leary of adding fish/algae animals from the beach to your tank for many reasons. Where do you live? if these are temperate animals they won't survive the higher temps of a tropical tank

 

[lmatos]

thanks ALL!!

I'm on NYC but they come from a beach on south of CT... They are a little shy but they apear to be going fine, they are here for 5 weeks and OK, no casualties yet... Even hiding most of the day they eat from the hand during feeding...

I will return them soon as I go back there...



Luis

 

[Lotus]

Definitely don't put anything back in the ocean that you've had in your tank. Unless everything in your tank is from the same area, you could introduce non-native species into the local ecosystem (pods, algae, bacteria). This can cause devastating effects on the environment, and I strongly suggest you don't do it.