Sally lightfoot dead

Hi. Just out of curiosity would anyone know if plants could kill a crab? I put some plants in a couple of days ago, not sure what kind exactly sort of looks like a spruce trees branches. The ph was high also, I,m bringing that down now slowly and leaning the death more to the ph. I don,t have a refugium yet, thats why I put the plants in the main tank. Also is there any reason plants shouldn,t be in the main tank? Thanks for your help.

 

What do you mean by "Plants"?

It is more likely that a sharp rise in PH would be a definite cause

J

 

Well I guess algae would be a better term, their definitely saltwater

 

hmm well i had some marco calerpa in my 12...and needless to say it killed everything in my tank 1 month in....when the plants reproduce they cause super high amonia levels

 

I did all the water test, the only thing was the ph, and alk.were high, ammonia was 0.25, I got to get more regimented on the water test, the rest of the livestock seems O.K. I only put the algae in two days ago, so do you think if the crab ate some, it would kill him? One more thing, should algae only be kept in a refugium? Thanks for your help

 

a lot of macros wil attach to the rocks causing problems removing them.
the roots of some macros can pearce the flesh of soft corals

 

I would only keep the Caluerpa in a refugium. It tends to grow and reproduce quickly under optimal conditions and I don't think many fish and inverts eat it so you will have a population explosion.. Easier to control in a small confined space, such as a refugium. I don't think your Sally ate the caluerpa. I think it was more of a water issue as crabs, urchins and snails are very good water monitors. If they are doing well, more than likely, your water is good!
One other impotant thing about macroalgae, if you leave the lights on 24/7 in a refugium, then you eliminate the algae bloom flowing into your main tank, causing a big growth spread. That is why you may want to keep the caluerpa in a refugium, so you can leave the light on all the time beause it isn't as important(ie. dawn, dusk etc.) as it is with corals(light intervals and durations). The Caluerpa is good because it cuts down on the micro's, due to both competing for the same nutrients(lower phosphate levels).

 

Thanks C.R.

Being that the other critters are O.K. with it(algae) in there,.. I can relax while getting the refugium setup ( Take my time but Hurry Up) . I got the refugium made ...just have to work on the overflow.....Thanks again...big relief