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RubiconR6 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 01:09 AM

Can someone help me to identify what these are?

NATIVEVAMAN · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:39 AM

The only thing I recognize in the tank is one of the finest and largest bubble algea matts I have ever seen.You need a clean up crew really bad.

reefnoob1991 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 08:27 AM

First one looks like Button Polyps and the 2nd looks like Devil's Hand

RubiconR6 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

The only thing I recognize in the tank is one of the finest and largest bubble algea matts I have ever seen.You need a clean up crew really bad.

I just recently changed my metal halide bulbs and since then algea has grown like crazy!!! I have 6 small blue legged hermit crabs. What else do you suggest for a good clean up crew?

NATIVEVAMAN · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 05:09 PM

more crabs and snails or maybe a lawnmower blenny.But if you get critters that only eat algea they will starve when its gone.

RubiconR6 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 06:08 PM

I thought about getting a lawnmower blenny, but I already have a bicolor blenny. What type of snails would be best? How many more crabs do you suggest I get?

reefnoob1991 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 06:09 PM

Red leg and blue leg hermit crabs.

NATIVEVAMAN · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 06:18 PM

The snails are not so much for the algea as they are for cyanobacteria (the haze that seems to appear overnight on the glass).

reefnoob1991 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 06:19 PM

Nothing eats cyano algae.

RubiconR6 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:37 PM

I have tried Red Slime Remover, but it did not help that much.

NATIVEVAMAN · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:42 PM

Hmmmmmmm....then I have to wonder what those clean streaks are after my snails go across the glass?

reefnoob1991 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:44 PM

I did 2 water changes of 7 gallons total with RO water...came home one day the tank was crystal clear no more cyano.

RubiconR6 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:57 PM

Where do you got your RO water at?

reefnoob1991 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 08:01 PM

I pay $.50 per gallon for mine at Petland.

RubiconR6 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 08:27 PM

I have two LFS where I live and you can't get RO there. I have used the Culligan water that you get at Wal-Mart for awhile.

reefnoob1991 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 08:49 PM

Wal mart sells RO I believe...or you can buy distilled water off the shelves. I did that.

RubiconR6 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 08:57 PM

ok I will try to find RO water tonight at Wal-Mart.

reefnoob1991 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 09:01 PM

My mom picked me up 5 gallons of distilled water for .66 a gallon.

Krazy · #19 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 12:56 PM

Thats a bad case of hair algae, and it looks like there may be some bryopsis mixed in as well, I suggest a mix of snails and blue leg hermits.

as for corals: 1st pic is Paly-Zoas, 2nd pic is : Kenya Tree, 3rd pic is: a leather which could be a finger leather or a colt coral, cant tell as its closed...

a sea hare would have that tank clean in a week, but you have to acclmate them SLOWLY and when the alage is gone bring him back to the LFS, if they starve and die, they can ink in your tank and its very toxic to the other tank mates...

Make an arrangement with the LFS to bring him back for credit when/if you talk about purchasing one.

I defiently suggest at the minium you use nothing but ro water. A RO/DI unit is a good investment, they pay for themselves and you wont get algae outbreaks as your dealing with now.

Another thing to keep in mind is that high nitrates/phosphates cause algae blooms as such, lack of water changes or lack of tank maintance will cause this. You didnt mention if you use a canister filter or not..

rlcline76 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 01:41 PM

There are organisms that eat cyano, most are not reef safe. With buying any livestock for just about any problem, I believe (and this is me speaking. Everyone is being cautious about giving bum advice.) that it is hit or miss. I have turbo snails and they mowed the hair when we had that problem. Overall, you will need to lower your nitrate and phosphate levels...clean your equipment regularly and use RO/DI or distilled for water changes from this point forward. You may want to read:
An Instant Nitrate Reduction Method - A Multiple Step Water Change Procedure

blind1993 · #21 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 10:20 PM

i get really nice ro water from kroger for 29 cents a gallon and it is 20 cents a gallon for water here i belive so it is not much more than using regular water i will start using it and they have the process on the maching and it is a long process they use ro uvs and dis. and the second one kinda looks like a colt to me.