Stagnant water

I had mostly tore down my 72g bowfront months ago. I had taken out all the LR, fish, and corals and let the sand sit with about 6" of water. There are still a few small polyps and small mushrooms that I didnt care to remove. I had left in some small rubble cause of fire/ bristle worms. I have been watching the tank just sitting there with no flow and I noticed tons of tiny brittle stars, snails, fire/ bristle worms and pods. I cant believe how they can still be alive and look like they are thriving pretty well. Anyone got any idea's on how long they can make it.

 

As long as the temp., salinity, O2 hold out, or until enough waste builds up. Was this some experiment you are doing? Also note that refugiums require slow water movement and that is where pods and other creatures thrive the most.

 

Haha, but no it wasnt an experiment until I seen all the life in there. But now that you mention a fuge I can see what it is doin now.

 

a couple years ago, I had a tub of LR that i didnt want to completely die off, so i added a heater, an occasional swoosh of the water, and it sat in a corner of the garage for a loong time no w/c's just an occasional top off every month or two.I was amazed at amount of life that was still there after nearly a year, bugs galore! the guy that i gave it to even found a 1" gorilla crab in a rock.

 

Seriously.. How do the crabs make it???

 

And I cant keep them alive in my tank for a long time.