I answered the question about cycling your tank assuming that someone gave you some live sand out of their already cycled tank. A tank that they started from scratch without taking anything from the ocean. Now I'm reading another question from you and seeing the pictures of your new tanks. To my dismay, I see all the things have been taken directly from the ocean. I'm not trying to be rude, but CAPTIVE REEFING is all about trying to save the reef by doing a great deal of captive breeding. We strive here at Captive Reefing to encourage people NOT to steal the life from the ocean, seeing as our Reef's are growing more endangered all the time from people who illegally harvest reef life and sell it. I believe that it is against the law in many areas to take rock, sand and reef life out of the ocean. May I ask if it is illegal in your area? I know that many people do it anyway. As for identifications of what you have in your tank, there are many things there that I can't identify, either due to poor photography which is common as reef critters can be difficult to photograph, or the fact that some of those things pictured are not commonly sold in a Local Fish Store=LFS and more research would have to be done. The reason LFS's don't carry certain species is because they are possibly very dangerous or just plain illegal to harvest. I can however identify the culpera plant growing on the rock with what you're calling sponge next to it. I can't see the "sponge" well enough either to say that it's definitely a sponge. It likely is. Did you hold that rock up out of the water when you harvested it? If you did, and the orange stuff is a sponge, you may likely have killed it and it will die off over time in your tank. Your white crab...I've never seen before. It could be a good reef inhabitant, or it could be something that will eventually dine on any other inhabitants that you add to the tank (from an LFS=Local Fish Store) I say this because I'm hoping you intend to continue your new hobby by going through stores, and taking the time to do a lot of reading about how to set up a reef. As I stated in the other response to your cycling question, we are more than happy to help you. There are many references online like our site that will help you, and literature beyond your wildest dreams. Do your research and make a decision on how you wish to continue with your tanks. I hope you don't intend to keep taking ocean life that makes it's home there. Please leave the reef to grow. Reefing done in a captive environment may cost you, but we all pay a price to learn and enjoy a hobby as fascinating as having your own reef. You'll really have more of a full understanding as you keep these animals alive, just how much effort it takes to keep them, and also why your fellow reefers are so adamant about how reefing is conducted.

People find coral, fish & other critters that they know nothing about, and try to mimic their environment... not knowing what they've even captured, what it's related to, what it eats, what temperature the water needs to be, how much filtration is needed, rapid flow from a power head or med, light or dark, what coral & fish can even cohabitate with the selection you happened across...and I'll stop there because that's a lot to know & think about right there. There's so much more involved. Do you know that a bite or sting from some of these creature are very deadly, and there isn't much help at your local hospital or poison control center. There are a few cures that may or may not work, but even if you find a hospital, or make it there on time, would you be able to identify the reef animal that may have bitten you.

Lastly, You may also realize that in the ocean reef, these creatures are at the mercy of whatever predators wants to end their lives so their own life can continue. I believe it's called the "circle of life". The reef is an amazing place, and should be left to grow so the "circle" can continue. Please consider starting over and creating your own reef. You'll be so amazed at what can happen with a glass box, some clean reef sand, one dead fresh shrimp and some RODI=Reverse Osmosis De-Ionization water, some rock from your LFS, and watch some real magic begin. You will have so much respect for the reef and the life the grows there, than you ever thought possible. You'll find some real good friends here as Captive Reefing, that will walk you through this amazing process with patience, and great respect! Angel :angel1: