Barnacles, Are They Safe?

[[KRAFTIG]]

I'd like to add a cluster of barnacles to my SW tank, it is a natural barnacle cluster held together by hot glue and some sort of crafting cement. Yes or no?

 

[Kman]

They are fine filter feeders and are reef safe. But with that being said they need huge amounts of fine food or they die off. The die off will cause water quality issue as well as adding all that extra food. The extra food really impacts nutrient levels and create a lot of extra work\cost trying to keep the levels down. They need an aged established tank that has a large productive refugium with supplemental feeding to do truly well. Unless you are a experienced reefer with at least a few years under your belt keeping sensitive corals and inverts I would not recommend it.

 

[Joshbrookkate]

Are you referring to live barnacles? Or the shells?

 

[Kman]

That is a good question. I assumed it was the live ones. What kind of crafting cement?

 

[Nick James]

I've had small ones inside of a mark cultured acro colony for about 6 months. Surprisingly they are still alive. I had expected them to perish, but like I said... mine are very small.

 

[[KRAFTIG]]

Guys this is shells only. As for cement I don't know other than what I stated above.

 

[Joshbrookkate]

If you have blennies or gobies, barnacle shells arena must! Lol! My Midas Blennie loves mine!
I would remove all of the glue stick adhesive and attach with cyanoacrylic glue instead. I'm not sure if it's necessary but that's what I would do.

 

[Kman]

Removing it can't hurt. I like to be cautious as well.

 

[[KRAFTIG]]

I know, cant be too safe. Does anyone know where to find dry barnacle shells locally?

 

[Joshbrookkate]

I know, cant be too safe. Does anyone know where to find dry barnacle shells locally?

I picked mine up from a shell store in Key Largo last winter. They were $10 US.