Worms or what.. and what to do?  Maybe eat'em!   1/23/07
Hi guys,
<Hi there David, Mich with you today.>
I've tremendously enjoyed your site, and have learned many great  things.
<Most excellent!>
I have a reef setup. About a week ago, I saw what looked to be "baby snails"  laid on the overflow. These were white, crusty, corkscrew looking things. I scraped some off, and they were hard.
<Sounds more like feather dusters.  Are they mobile?>
Tonight, after the main tank lights went down, I was watching my tank (cool things happen at night under the moonlights) <Yep!>, when I noticed some filamentous worms wiggly around, up toward the lights. I dipped one out, and this thing swam around for about 30 minutes, before apparently dying. These things swim like a sea snake. They are about 1/2" long, and kind of a light brown color.
<Cool!>
Any idea what these are?  I searched high and low for photos, without luck.
<Could be any of several thousand types of polychaete worms.  Bob tells a story in the Reef Invertebrates book about swimming polychaetes, actually epitokes, that he encountered as a boy growing up in the Philippines.  Bob, and other locals would gather and eat this delicacy!>
In my tank I have a Hippo Tang, Foxface Rabbitfish, Golden Wrasse, Neon Dottyback, Lawnmower Blenny, Cleaner Shrimp, Banded Starfish, Emerald Crab,  Strawberry Crab, and lots of snails.  The only fish acting a bit weird is the Hippo Tang (and I see why they modeled "Dory" after this fish, it just acts weird), which has been scratching on the rocks.  All fish's appetites are good. I  
feed frozen food (mysis, reef plankton, ground krill, + refugium algae).  
<Good.>
Should I put my fish in my QT tank and treat them?  
<Why?  Treat them for what?>
I've only been up and running for about 3 months, with no problems to date. However, it looks like these "baby snails" are parasites getting ready to hatch.
<Mmm, not likely.>
Sorry, but I have no photos.
<I think your concerns are misdirected.>
Thanks!!
<Welcome!  -Mich>
David

White hair patches on rocks and glass   1/23/07
I have had my 25 gallon FOWLR tank for a year now. A few months back I noticed a white fuzzy substance on the glass and some areas of the rock.
There way more on the glass then the rocks.  It almost looks like a fungus.
The hairs are so thin you can't see just 1 strand. It looks like smoke as it waves around in the current. I've been wiping it off with my mag float.
Everything seems to be doing fine but I wondered if you knew what this could be and if I should worry about it.
<Very likely some type of worm... yes, they come this thin... But could be a bunch of other things... Wish you had an inexpensive scope (maybe a QX series... see the Net, WWM re). Bob Fenner>

White fluffy things  - 1/22/07
Good Morning Crew
<Hello Kerryn, and a good morning to you!>
I have a new problem in my marine tank I can't identify the species, I've asked LFS they don't have a Scooby either, I cant find a picture to help me identify what it is.
<Haha, I can't help but giggle a little at that one... I've never heard of a clue referred to as a "Scooby", do hope you don't mind if I borrow and add this to my repertoire! *grin* As far as identification goes, I will give it a try!>
Little white fluffy things are growing on power heads - inside the protein skimmer and on some dead coral skeletons. These little white fluffy things don't move they but are multiplying rapidly. I have tried to rid them out of the tank by taking skeleton corals out and scrubbing power heads. They are easily removed (squished)
<Sounds like a hitchhiker sponge that is thriving in your aquarium. I would consider these beneficial, they are filter feeders, helping 'naturally clean' your water.>
Everything was going well I bought a couple of snails six weeks ago this is the only thing that has been added to the tank for months everything I have purchased is from the same marine shop.
<Holy run-on sentence, Batman! Everything sounds fine here, Kerryn.>
What could it be and how can I get rid of it. What I've been doing hasn't helped?
Your help will be Greatly appreciated.
Kerryn.
<Well, Kerryn, I would continue doing as you are if they are a major visual nuisance. Otherwise, I would leave all be, as they will likely only benefit your tank. Hope this helps! -JustinN>
Tank size 600 litres - 6ft by 2 by 2
Mostly Corals and  Live Rock
Three clowns Nemo - Marlin - Coral
Two Yellow Tangs
Two Blue Tangs - Dory 1 - D-2
Two Dotty Backs
Canister Filter
Two Power heads
Marine Lighting that is a year old
AND A MANTIS SHRIMP.