New live rock question

[AmberSunrise]

So I ordered some new rocks from TBS that came today. (YAY love it) I decided to put it all in the QT first to make sure there are no unwanted critters before sticking them in my tank.

So I got the turkey baster out and was blowing around in the holes and I did see a very small crab come out but before I could see it good it went back into a hole. Not sure if its a bad or good one.

My question I guess is how do I go about making sure I get out bad critters? How long should I leave it in the QT before I can move it over? I want to put it in the display but I dont want the hassle later of trying to catch something in the big tank.

 

[Bifferwine]

That's a tough question. There have been people that haven't added rock for a year that suddenly see a hitch hiker crab or something! That's extreme, and I think in most cases you'd know within a couple weeks if there were any "baddies" in the rocks.

 

[AmberSunrise]

I have heard weird noises coming from the QT like crunching or popping. There are a TON of barnacles that are popping in and out and lots of feather dusters. I love this rock its so awesome.

I am just worried I dont want to deal with a mantis or gorilla crab in the main tank if I can avoid it.

 

[Bifferwine]

The popping could be a mantis, but it could also be a pistol shrimp, which are very common in TBS rock.

 

[AmberSunrise]

Ok I defiantly have a gorilla crab I put in a sinking pellet and i got to see him. Both of my TBS orders came fresh with a gorilla LOL dang it

How do I catch him?!?!?!

 

[BL1]

I used a water bottle, poke a couple of holes in the bottom so water can flow through. Put some food in there to attract the crab, then restthe bottle next to where the crab hangs out. Make sure that the top of the bottle is tilted up so the crab can't escape once it goes in.

 

[AmberSunrise]

Hmm Ok I will try it

 

[AmberSunrise]

Ok the plastic bottle trick did not work for me so far used a sinking pellet. i am going to retry it with a chunk of squid or something tonight.

I am certainly hearing a lot of loud popping or clicking. Its very random and pretty freaking loud.

I havent seen anything other than a gorilla crab and and 2 porcelain crabs so whatever it is its good at hiding.

SIGH I want to put my new rock in my tank! GRR

 

[Bifferwine]

Can you identify specifically which rock it is living in?

 

[that national]

i found this on live aquaria.com


Helpful Tips for Controlling Unwanted Pests:
Submerse the new rock into a bucket filled with saltwater with a specific gravity of 1.035 to 1.040 for one minute. Any invertebrates including mantis shrimp, bristle worms, and crabs will quickly evacuate from the rock and into the bucket of water. Remove the live rock from the bucket and sort through the invertebrates in the bucket. Determine those you want to add to your system and discard unwanted pests. Bristle worms still attached to the rock can be removed with a pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers. This technique can be used to remove unwanted pests before or after curing your newly arrived live rock

 

[AmberSunrise]

Can you identify specifically which rock it is living in?

I found another tiny gorilla crab in one rock and a larger one in the other rock. Only have 2 rocks. I have no idea where the clicking is coming from though.

 

[AmberSunrise]

i found this on live aquaria.com


Helpful Tips for Controlling Unwanted Pests:
Submerse the new rock into a bucket filled with saltwater with a specific gravity of 1.035 to 1.040 for one minute. Any invertebrates including mantis shrimp, bristle worms, and crabs will quickly evacuate from the rock and into the bucket of water. Remove the live rock from the bucket and sort through the invertebrates in the bucket. Determine those you want to add to your system and discard unwanted pests. Bristle worms still attached to the rock can be removed with a pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers. This technique can be used to remove unwanted pests before or after curing your newly arrived live rock

This sounds promising I am going give it a try hopefully it wont damage any of them I dont want to kill anything.

 

[youtoo54]

What is TBS rock?

 

[Bifferwine]

Tampa Bay Saltwater -- tampabaysaltwater.com

 

[BL1]

What is TBS rock?

www.tampabaysaltwater.com it's a great place that sells live rock and doesn't have a major impact of the environment.

 

[SeaBee]

That Gorilla Crab is no good.....

 

[AmberSunrise]

Ok I have separate the 2 rocks and the one I hear clicking in has the crabs in it and tons of the barnacles probably 10-15.

Is it possible that the barnacles click?

I know mantis and pistol shimp click but this is pretty much constant its irregular maybe happens every minute to five minutes and I didnt think a mantis would just crack and pop like that constantly would it?
Seems like it would only do it when it was hunting but maybe i am wrong.

I tried to google barnacles clicking and found some references to it for barnacles attached to boats.