Help! I'm drowning in pests! (56K beware)

[psimitry]

So about a year and a half ago I started in this hobby. I was fortunate to have (after dealing with some red slime and some hair algae that just loved to grow on the same rock and nowhere else), an immaculately clean tank.

In february, I upgraded to my 50G tank that I'm currently in and soon after upgraded to my current lighting setup (soon to follow). Everything seemed to be going well, tank was still sterile (almost too sterile IMHO), and life was good. I tend to be pretty anal about my water changes so I was doing about 10% changes every week on tuesday.

At the end of may, I added an RDSB setup in order to reduce the nitrates that were in system (they were never very high, but I wanted to keep it that way). A 5 gallon bucket system was added and about 55 lb of playsand was used (silica/aragonite mix). Shortly after it was added, I went on vacation for about a week. When I got back, the algae (some extremely light, almost whitish brown variety) did this in my tank:



Now granted, my autofeeder was feeding flake food twice a day, but NOTHING enough to generate this amount of nutrients. I can only guess that there was enough nutrients and silicate in the playsand from the newly added RDSB that it set off the explosion.

Oddly enough, a lot of the corals in my tank seemed to absolutely adore this stuff. It would build up, obscuring the tank within 2-3 days and when I'd scrape it, my corals would look INSANELY happy the next day.

Anyway, eventually the light brown stuff went away, replaced by a bigger menace: the dark brown algae. This stuff managed to grow on pretty much any porous/rough surface. As such, any spot of coralline algae on equipment/rocks was covered by this stuff and killed due to lack of light getting to it (I have nearly no coralline in my tank at the moment). This is the stuff that showed:





Shortly after all this happened, the green hair algae started to move in and setup shop. In the following image, what used to be a lovely looking piece of dead brain coral attached to a piece of my live rock is now a field of grass:



Shortly after THAT, a nasty strain of red hair algae (read: not slime) moved in nearby:



In the meantime, while all this nice new macro algae has been moving in, all around the tank some new menace seems to be popping up all over my rocks. This is some sort of worm I believe, as it doesn't grow like algae. What it most definitely IS, is ugly. It's the circled stuff that kinda looks like grass in the following image:



It is surrounding a ton of what I call tube worms which are in the next image and are also EVERYWHERE where there just used to be a few:



Then there's the oddities that aren't really of that much concern to me, but I haven't seen them before so I thought I'd take pics and ask.

The first is of a sponge that seems to be getting awful cozy with my hammer coral. In this image, you can see two tubes that it has stuck through the hammer's plumage and it has grown around the skeleton of the hammer (in addition to a ton of those tube worms at the base). Bear in mind that this pic was taken two hours after lights off so the hammer is deflated. I'm worried I'm going to have to frag off a piece of the hammer because the sponge is about to suffocate the rest:



I also noticed what LOOKS like a random spawn of a frogspawn. I have a frogspawn elsewhere in tank, but something about this thing set off a red flag with me and I thought I'd ask about it:



Finally, there's these things. I have no idea what the heck they are, where they came from or what to do about them. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice:



End of happy fun images. Begin info about tank.

Current tank params are:
Temp: 79.5 (two hours since lights off)
pH: 8.1
ALK: 2.5 meq/L
Calc: 385
Ammonia: Undetectable
Nitrate: Undetectable
Phosphate: .25 ppm (w/ 100ml of ROWAphos in the sump)

Feedings: Once every other day with a small amount of ocean nutrition's prime reef flake. On off days, I feed a small amount of cyclopeeze and mysis combo.

Current tank inhabitants:
2 false perc clown fish (had 'em since the beginning)
1 firefish goby (maybe - haven't seen it in a couple of days)
1 skunk cleaner shrimp
1 fire (a.k.a. blood) shrimp
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
2 Peppermint shrimp (I know it's a lot of shrimp for a 50G but they seem to all get along)
10 blue leg hermits
20 (give or take) Nassarius Vibex snails
5 Nassarius polygonatus snails
15 astrea snails
1 queen conch

Assorted info:

The hermits have only been in tank for about a week. I bought them when I couldn't take it anymore. I actually went hermit crab free about 5 months ago.

I have 2 skimmers running on the tank - a AquaC remora in the tank itself and a Coralife Superskimmer 65 running in the sump. I change my GAC about every 3 weeks (marineland diamond pellet).

Currently running 4x 54W T5HO lighting (1x 6000K, 1x 11000K, one actinic and one 7100K).

Am thinking about a lawnmower blenny but have heard they can be really aggressive in the tank. Don't really want to disturb the happy fun times that appear to be my tank (everything in my tank really does seem to get along well).

Bottom line: HELP!!

[iCam]

The last photo is of a calcaerous type of algae. They don't seem to be invasive, and look rather neat, so I don't think they're of any concern.

[ACBlinky]

The second to last and last pictures are macroalgaes. The green one is calcaerous, there's a thread that was started today by someone whose tank has been absolutely taken over by the stuff.

For me the images aren't clickable so I can't see larger, more detailed pics to help with anything else. There are other, smaller blennies you could try (prettier too ), but IME nothing beats an urchin if you want something to really mow down algae. Second to urchins would be zebra turbo snails, they're voracious lawnmowers and get HUGE. The best long-term fix would be to get PO4 down to zero and see if you can outcompete the HA and other macros with chaeto either in the tank or in a fuge.

[psimitry]

Huh. That's weird. Didn't notice the images weren't clickable.

Fixing now...

Or not. Can't edit. Reposting.

[crazyfingersmike]

Well, it just looks like a really bad imbalance of nutrients in the system. Getting rid of all that algae means getting rid of what it's feeding on. I have no idea how a DSB would have caused that, but perhaps the sand you used was no good?

Do you cultivate macro? I suggest getting a ton of cheato to try some nutrient reduction.

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by psimitry


At the end of may, I added an RDSB setup in order to reduce the nitrates that were in system (they were never very high, but I wanted to keep it that way). A 5 gallon bucket system was added and about 55 lb of playsand was used (silica/aragonite mix). Shortly after it was added, I went on vacation for about a week. When I got back, the algae (some extremely light, almost whitish brown variety) did this in my tank:

Bottom line: HELP!!

you added a silica based sand to your aragonite mix?? I would imagine thats where your nutrients are coming from.

[somethingphishy]

Originally posted by Aquaman
you added a silica based sand to your aragonite mix?? I would imagine thats where your nutrients are coming from.

agree here too...cringed when you said silica based sand...

[slimytadpole]

Originally posted by Aquaman
you added a silica based sand to your aragonite mix?? I would imagine thats where your nutrients are coming from.

Really? Because I was looking at the big thread about remote DSBs in a 5g bucket, and it seemed to imply that using silica based sand was fine. I can't find a link to that thread either, so if somone could link to it, I'd appreciate it.

If silica based sand is not ok, and that thread says it is, it needs to be addressed quickly.

[Nano_reeflover]

Silica sand is fine to use. Its silicates that are bad. If silica was bad for your tank the glass (silica) would cause algae blooms.
Oh and the worm like things look like hydroids or peanut worms. Kinda hard to tell.

[Travis L. Stevens]

1) Looks like either dense diatoms or brown coralline algae. Either of which isn't a problem. I presume that it is diatoms. Silica Sand WILL release silcates back into the aquarium, but at a slow, almost controllable rate. This shouldn't cause any sort of algae blooms though

2) Bryopsis, a type of Green Hair Algae

3) I don't know the name, but it's a Rhodophyta (Red Algae). It's rather difficult to get rid of because it's quite resilient, but it doesn't grow nearly as quick or dense as something like Green Hair Algae.

4) Bryopsis (And Vermetid Snails)

5) Vermetid Snails

6) Sponge

7) Looks like Sea Lettuce. It's a macro aglae

8) I can never remember the name, but like it has been said, it is a non-invasive, calcerous algae.

I agree with crazyfingersmike. You are having a nutrients issue most likely with Nitrates and Phosphates. Controlling this will get rid of your algae. it might take several months, but Algal Scrubbers, Deep Sand Beds, Live Rock, and Water Changes are the most common methods of nutrient control. I also wouldn't worry about the Silica Sand. It's quite obvious that you don't have large amounts of free silicates that are being used up by various animals such as diatoms. And even if you did, diatoms would take the place of microalgae anyways. They both use the same source for food, but one uses silicates for their outer shell.

[TheMcs]

I'd drop the flake. I've had more than one customer eliminate nuisance algea (after all else had failed) by switching from flake to a cleaner frozen food, which is better for the fish anyways.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by Aquaman
you added a silica based sand to your aragonite mix?? I would imagine thats where your nutrients are coming from.

Silica is not soluble. It WILL NOT put silicate in your water.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by TheMcs
I'd drop the flake. I've had more than one customer eliminate nuisance algea (after all else had failed) by switching from flake to a cleaner frozen food, which is better for the fish anyways.

That prime reef flake makes my skimmer go ABSOLUTELY NUTS. Its filthy. I can see why feeding it twice a day would cause this.

[Travis L. Stevens]

I missed that you were feeding flake food. I would definitely stop feeding flake. I'll admit, I feed mine flake, but it's not very often and I barely feed enough for them to get full on. This is usually when I'm heading out the door when I know I'll be gone for a long time. (IE 8hrs-2days)

[Travis L. Stevens]

Originally posted by RichConley
Silica is not soluble. It WILL NOT put silicate in your water.

According to the articles that I list in the abstract from a post that I will place below here, that isn't necessarily true. Might I add, it doesn't seem to produce enough usable silicates to actually do any major harm. The thread and discussion can be found in this link - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=875880 FWIW, even after reading all of those articles, I've been tempted to even dose silicates or use a little silica based sand in my aquariums

------------------Abstract-----------------------

SILICON — FOE OR FRIEND? by Craig Bingman, Ph.D.
--This article gives a better understanding of Silicon and Diatoms. It also debunks many myths that are associated with it. It does not mention anything about Silica Sand, but should still be read.
--Silica Sand contains Quartz Crystal (SiO2) and as quoted here: "The other extreme end of silicate hydration is quartz, SiO2, which could be thought of as completely dehydrated Si(OH)4. Quartz is the least soluble form of silicon found in nature." Although Silicic Acid can easily be used by diatoms.
--Just because you may use an RO unit does not mean that you are completely eliminating silicon, diatoms, or both in your aquarium: "So, silicic acid passes through many reverse osmosis (nanofiltration) membranes fairly readily. Some newer membranes have higher rejection rates than older cellulose triacetate (CTA) or thin film composite (TFC) membranes, and they are available on the aquarium market." Luckily an RO/DI unit should eliminate various silicon forms.
--For those that are concerned about keeping specific organisms such as sponges: "Diatoms are the main consumers of silicate in the ocean, followed by sponges and a number of protist groups. Some higher organisms have small requirements for silicon, which will be described later."
--Tap water can be a leading cause of silicon forms and even diatom outbreaks: "“Mean tap water� has a composition similar to “mean river water� and the concentration of silicate in mean river water is about 40 times higher than the silicate concentration in surface seawater in the tropics. So, here is our first problem and one that the aquarium community seems quite familiar with: Some tap water is loaded with silicate and it can certainly promote diatom blooms in reef tanks."
--Because I don't want to take up much time, definitely read all of the topic "Silicon and Aquarium Husbandry" with a main focus on paragraphs 1-4

Silica in Reef Aquariums by Randy Holmes-Farley
--This article does talk about Silica Sand in the Reef Aquarium
--It looks like soluble silica is easily taken care of: "I’ll also show with dosing experiments that soluble silica is rapidly depleted from my reef tank (about 50% per day)."
--Randy did tests on a few different sands and here were his conclusions: "From these experiments, I conclude that: 1. The “silica� play sand that I purchased from Home Depot can substantially raise the dissolved silica concentration in seawater. 2. The dissolvable portion of the silica sand cannot be completely removed by several rinses with either fresh or salt water, although it may be decreased somewhat by that process. 3. Southdown calcium carbonate sand (likely aragonite) can release soluble silica, but about ten fold less than the “silica� sand."
--Here is where a bunch of speculation occurs between aquarists: "Is it OK to use silica sand? Probably. Many people do so. I also believe that not all “silica “ sands will be the same for the reasons described above relating to processing of the sand and the nature of the mineral inclusions present. So the fact that many people successfully use some (or many) types of silica sand does not necessarily imply that all people can use any type of “silica� sand without a problem. "
--Randy dosed soluble silica in his tank and this is his conclusions: "From these experiments, I conclude that: 1. Silica can be a limiting factor for diatom growth in some reef tanks 2. Adding soluble silica can increase diatom growth 3. The increased diatom growth was not apparently in addition to, but in place of, green algae growth 4. Added soluble silica is rapidly depleted from some reef tanks 5. Taken together, these facts suggest that silica supplementation may be desirable."

These two articles show that, yes, silica sand can leech soluble silica back into the aquarium, but not at a concentration higher than natural sea water. It also shows that silica is quickly and easily consumed by marine organisms and their sacrifice feeds other marine organisms or is readily skimmed out. Silica dosing is recommended by Randy Holmes-Farley. The dosage amount of silica is close to that of what is dissolved out of the silica sand. Silica is already in our tap water, can be in our RO water, is most likely not in our RO/DI water, and is even in our synthetic salt mixes. One illustrations shows that RC (assumed to be Reef Crystals) is actually far above natural seawater in soluble and insoluble silica. It is believed that not all silica sands will dissolve the same amount of silica. Diatoms are a large consumer of silica, but most herbivorous snails actually consume diatoms and so should readily be controllable if sufficient thought and planning is taken.

In short, Silica Sand is safe to use, but your milage may vary. In my opinion, using a silica sand most likely can add an extra "cycle" in a reef tank. Almost all new reef tanks go through the nitrogen cycle, a cyanobacteria cycle, and an algae cycle. Adding silica sand just might add a diatom cycle if there aren't enough organisms to compete with diatoms

---------------------End Abstract---------------------

[psimitry]

'preciate all the responses. One thing I didn't see anyone talk about - the sponge that is currently climbing the hammer coral - something to worry about?

Oh, and the (what I guess are) Vermetid Snails - what is a natural predator for them? I didn't mind them when they were here and there but I simply have WAY too many of them now.

[Travis L. Stevens]

The sponge should be fine. It won't harm the Coral at all.

I don't know of any Vermetid Snail predators. But you can always just break them over. They also feed on particulate matter in the water column. Usually these are present in high nutrient levels waters. So, once you get your nutrients under control to get rid of the algae, the Vermetid snails will follow.

[CeeGee]

I have tons of sponge like that in my tank and it hasn't caused any harm. I wouldn't worry about it.

I am experiencing a slight nutrient problem in my tank as well. I cut out feeding flake and pellet food (although I still feed a little pellet here and there) and am putting all frozen foods in RO/DI water to "clean" them before feeding the tank.

Nutrients seem to be stabilizing.

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by Nano_reeflover
Silica sand is fine to use. Its silicates that are bad. If silica was bad for your tank the glass (silica) would cause algae blooms.
Oh and the worm like things look like hydroids or peanut worms. Kinda hard to tell.

there is a big difference between Glass and silica sand

that aside, their is a nutrient problem in your tank, find that source and your problems will diminish over time.

[mfp4073]

I got some of that red hair algae on some rock for free. I looked and looked and couldnt find anything on it. But let me tell you, I spent the better part of an hour today pulling and scraping it off a 3lb rock. When I say scraping...I mean like a dentist doing a cleaning. My next step is to get a wire brush. It doesnt grow very fast, but boy is it hell to get rid of.

[Avast Marine]

You didn't mention water source. Where do you get it? What are the levels? I admit to being guilty of flake food in the FOWLR, but never in the reef (except to cycle it).

[psimitry]

Water source is 6 stage RO bought from a local water source.

It's not DI unfortunately, so there may be some sort of trace element getting in that I'm not aware of (iron for instance). But I've tested it several times for nutrients and it always comes out clean.

[CeeGee]

add a DI stage to the filter.