Scavengers/detrivores

[Aerosol]

Hello. This is my first post, and I hope I'm putting it in the right area. :)

I am trying to find some scavengers or detrivores to add to my tank. Including, but not limited too, stuff like bristleworms, mini brittle stars, hair/spaghetti worms, etc. Pretty much any of the little animals that live in the rock or the substrate, and usually get into aquariums as hitchhikers.

I know there are places online, like ipsf.com and inlandaquatics.com, but the shipping cost of livestock makes those places too expensive at the moment.

In a nutshell, is there anywhere locally I can find stuff like that? The only thing I've been able to find are nassarius snails and hermits, but I'd really like to increase diversity.

Thanks for any advice, and I've really enjoyed lurking on the forum. :)

[CoryDude]

Welcome! How old is your tank? It sounds like it's a new setup.

I've always had great experiences with reefcleaners. Their website also has package deals that are specific to different aquarium sizes. Ceriths, planaxis, conches , chitons, etc. Most of the stuff you listed will show up eventually anyways so I'd recommend you focus on the cleanup crew for a healthy tank.

[jcnkt_ellis]

Did you setup your tank with live rock? Also, you can try to seed your sandbed with those critters by getting a cup or so of sand from another reefer's established bed.

[Aerosol]

My tank is about a year old. I've already got a standard cleanup crew, with an assortment of snails and hermits, peppermint shrimp (not sure how much he helps), and a regular brittle star. I started with live rock, but I didn't get very many critters. It came with some tiny feather dusters, a couple of brachiopods, and regular pods. I've even watched my tank at night with a red lens flashlight, and I've never seen anything new.

I know there are plenty of places online to get this stuff, but when shipping is $30-$50 for a $10 order it doesn't seem worth the cost. I've checked out a couple of the saltwater stores nearby, but none of them carry stuff like that.

So my best bet is to get a cup of sand from somebody's tank?

Thanks for the replies.

[kkiel02]

My favorite are the mini brittles. I am just starting to see them again. Check at elegant reef as when I moved my tank in wall he put some of my coral in the display. There might be some there he could sell you. I would give you some but I've only seen one or two arms out so I don't have enough atm.

[Aerosol]

Thanks. I'll look into that. :)