Help! New featherduster out of tube!

annietye · #1 09/13/2007, 11:37 PM

I ordered a feather-duster worm online (from a place where I have had several postitive experiences in the past), when I got him today he didn't look so hot. I carefully used the drip method and settled him into the tank. Now he is completely out of his tube!! I don't know what to do! Please help!

reefD · #2 09/14/2007, 12:04 AM

just let it be! something stressed it already so now you need to just let things be and hope he can find a place and rebuild a tube. he may have shipped poorly and was on his way out already. it happends! but next review your water. is your tank new? if yes then expect the worst..dont be surprized. second if its aged then test. any levels in a reef can be an issue. nitrates do build up but water changes should keep them at zero. every other level should be zero! seriously! cause if not then your bacteria is a possible issue and that means 1- tank is new and needs to cycle 2- tank didnt cycle hard and is re sysling 3- tank is aged and bioload is too high and thus it over whelmed the bacteria and is causing a crash a.k.a recycle.

annietye · #3 09/14/2007, 12:49 AM

It seemed like he shipped very poorly. The water he came in was extremely yellow and smelled terrible. And, strike two, the tank is new. But I (of course) tested everything as soon as I saw he was out of the tube, and everything seems to be within normal limits, nitrite/ammonia zero, nitrate 5ppm, calcium 390...

The tank cycled for three weeks w/ live rock/sand before I added 4 snails and a peppermint shrimp, all of who are doing well now. The feather duster was ordered at the same time as the other guys, but he was on "backorder." I wondered then if I should cancel the order-wish I had!!!

Thank you, I will leave him alone and hope for the best. He is kind of wedged into some rocks, will he be able to find a more suitable spot?

reefD · #4 09/14/2007, 12:58 AM

yeah he will move but typically the go and wedge into or aside a rock like you say. he may have hope yet. only thing too worry is predators/scavengers may pick him out. good luck. since this happend wait a month before adding anthing else. the time will reward you! a good rule of thumb: when something i add dies,maybe its not your fault but always consider it and use a month long waiting period to be sure it wasnt you.