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Post by reefwreck on Jan 6, 2018 2:58:51 GMT -5
 Hiya, new member here, checking in hoping to get some assistance. My already small (supposedly easy!) soft coral frags have taken a downturn lately and I’m searching for an explanation as to why the polyp heads are unhappy and disappearing. I’ve recently noticed this little oval creature on my power head coming out after dark, and the white fan/ grass stuff growing on at least one frag too. Someone suggested sea grass? Could they be nudis? With a measly two heads left on one.. sure would like to nip this quickly!!  |
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Post by gabor129 on Jan 6, 2018 12:02:46 GMT -5
First off welcome to the forum! I love your name! Reef tanks are not easy!
Second to answer your question about the ‘oval creature’ on the power head. I can not tell from the picture, but it can be a sundial snail, which are pests and do eat the soft coral frags. Here is a bit of information on them from LiveAquaria!
Sundial or Box Snails
A snail that is regularly encountered in the aquaculture and aquarium industry is commonly referred to as a Box or Sundial Snail of the genus Heliacus. They have a classic shaped shell that is round at the base and twists upward into a point. Tan and brown colorations alternate within the striations of the shell, giving it a rather beautiful appearance.
Signs & Symptoms
The Box Snails are guilty of consuming many different types of colony polyps within the Zoanthus, Palythoa and Protopalythoa genus. Many times the snail will be found within the colony itself, where they puncture the base of the polyp, and feed upon its tissue and fluids. The polyp is then basically left as an empty shell, which quickly falls off of the rock and decomposes.
Treatment
The best method for controlling the populations of these snails is to physically remove them from the aquarium when discovered. These pests will not typically reproduce in a rapid manner, and physical removal should be sufficient.
Third.... the white grass stuff I do not think it is a nudibranch! Might be some sort of algae or grass. Those things come in all sort of shapes and sizes!
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Post by gabor129 on Jan 6, 2018 12:14:19 GMT -5
Also I noticed a bit of hair algae on your rock. Which suggest you have some nitrates in the tank, or an old light bulb. How often do you do water changes? How much? What size is the tank? Are you using RO water?
You really don’t want that stuff to spread! I would suggest using a3% solution of H2O2 to get rid of it!
I’m sorry if I sound like I’m giving you a hard time about your tank, that is not my intention! I would love you to have a great looking tank, but need more info to help you out!
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Post by reefwreck on Jan 6, 2018 21:32:22 GMT -5
Thanks gabor129! Hmm.. I’m not sure it matches a sundial, but it’s still small, so I’ll see if I can’t pluck him out and get a better look. All advice/ observations much appreciated on my end - always. After years of planted fw tanks, I made a jump into sw last year, with this 50g. I’m (sadly - now that I know better) running 2x 36” Orbit IC’s for lights. One is brand new and one is a year old, LEDs. I can adjust the spectrum on them, if that would be of benefit. I didn’t mess with the settings other than timers, bc I don’t yet know enough to do so.
My scheduled weekly water changes have hit the holiday back burner lately, so that’s definitely tops on the New Years resolution list. I suspect it is a source of a few issues I’ve noticed lately. Incl the hair algae - thanks for the good eye! It’s much more widespread than what I tried to crop out 😉 My lazy blenny and clean up crew have failed me, and I’ve been wishing for a sea hare while I try to get on top of it. Would love to hear more about the H2O2 fix! No RO, using tap, and reef crystals salt.
Even a solid year in, I feel like I’ve just started yesterday!
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Post by Andre on Jan 7, 2018 0:24:46 GMT -5
Welcome to the group!!
No experience with SW but just a friendly welcoming message.
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Post by reefwreck on Jan 7, 2018 2:23:26 GMT -5
Much thanks Andre! I’m happy to have found this board, and am sure it will prove a valuable resource.
A happy belated birthday to you! Hope it was a good one!
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Post by mitch25 on Jan 8, 2018 13:24:12 GMT -5
Thanks gabor129! Hmm.. I’m not sure it matches a sundial, but it’s still small, so I’ll see if I can’t pluck him out and get a better look. All advice/ observations much appreciated on my end - always. After years of planted fw tanks, I made a jump into sw last year, with this 50g. I’m (sadly - now that I know better) running 2x 36” Orbit IC’s for lights. One is brand new and one is a year old, LEDs. I can adjust the spectrum on them, if that would be of benefit. I didn’t mess with the settings other than timers, bc I don’t yet know enough to do so. My scheduled weekly water changes have hit the holiday back burner lately, so that’s definitely tops on the New Years resolution list. I suspect it is a source of a few issues I’ve noticed lately. Incl the hair algae - thanks for the good eye! It’s much more widespread than what I tried to crop out 😉 My lazy blenny and clean up crew have failed me, and I’ve been wishing for a sea hare while I try to get on top of it. Would love to hear more about the H2O2 fix! No RO, using tap, and reef crystals salt. Even a solid year in, I feel like I’ve just started yesterday! Does it move much? Could be a Limpet. Otherwise, I would agree with Gabe. Welcome to the forum and goodluck |
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Post by reefwreck on Jan 8, 2018 22:40:58 GMT -5
It didn’t move much. And now that I’ve taken a closer look, and googled Limpet... it’s entirely possible it’s a match? What do you think? I’ve only ever seen the one, so I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.  |
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Post by mitch25 on Jan 9, 2018 9:14:36 GMT -5
It didn’t move much. And now that I’ve taken a closer look, and googled Limpet... it’s entirely possible it’s a match? What do you think? I’ve only ever seen the one, so I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled. I can tell from that picture now, that is $100 a limpet. Completly harmless IMO and a neat addition to the tank. Just do a little research and I'm sure you can narrow down the species. Very cool! |
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Post by mitch25 on Jan 9, 2018 9:15:59 GMT -5
It didn’t move much. And now that I’ve taken a closer look, and googled Limpet... it’s entirely possible it’s a match? What do you think? I’ve only ever seen the one, so I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled. I can tell from that picture now, that is $100 a limpet. Completly harmless IMO and a neat addition to the tank. Just do a little research and I'm sure you can narrow down the species. Very cool! I should also mention that if you have any crabs in the tank, they will for sure eat that little guy if they get the chance. As long as the fleshy part is stuck to the glass or rock, it will be fine. |
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Post by gabor129 on Jan 9, 2018 20:28:26 GMT -5
Yup, it is a limpet! It is harmless!
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Post by reefwreck on Jan 13, 2018 1:54:36 GMT -5
Harmless, whew!
Thanks for the help! I tossed him back in... hope he can avoid all my crabs successfully! He’d probably survived only bc he’d made a home on one of my power heads.
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Post by gabor129 on Jan 13, 2018 9:37:38 GMT -5
You will find more of them eventually! They can reproduce and they will reproduce in the aquarium!
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Post by noahcod on Jan 19, 2018 22:37:45 GMT -5
it could be a Cellana tramoserica
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