New Tank Issues, Snail ID - Collonista sp? 1/15/08
Hello,
<Hello there, EA! LZ here today.>
My husband and I recently purchased and set up a reef tank (29 gallon BioCube) about a week ago. <Congratulations!> We purchased a large amount of live rock the day we purchased the entire set up, but nothing seems to be living on that bunch of rock.
<Yet!> However, two days ago we purchased a large (7lb) solid piece of Fiji live rock. After two days, we have 2 fans, 2 groups of white star polyps, a Stomatella, a small bristle worm, and 4-5 extremely tiny snails, which we cannot seem to identify. The snails are about 2-3mm in size, iridescent white with tiny orange spots, with circular shells like regular garden snail shells. We've searched the internet and your site for hours and cannot find any pictures/articles that identify our tiny snails. I would send a picture, but the snails are so small that they only show up as microscopic white specks. Do you have any idea as to what kind of juvenile snails these might be?
<If they're mobile, they sound a lot like Collonista sp. snails, aka “Mini Turbos”. They’re extremely common, harmless/beneficial grazers, mostly nocturnal, small (max out at ~1/4”, but most are around 3mm), that make a terrific addition to a reef tank. Color/pattern varies, with some being all white, while others are combinations of white with varying amounts of mottled tan/brown/even pink markings. Please see these links for more information and confirmation (about 2/3 way down the page at the first link): http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/index.php
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailidf14.htm .
If what you're seeing are small stationary white coils (possibly the orange specks are incidental), then those are likely Spirorbids (tiny/harmless feather dusters).
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/featheridfaqs.htm.>
Also, we have a large amount of algae (brown diatomaceous) building up on the 1st bunch of live rock and are looking to purchase a "clean-up crew." Tank stats are as follows: pH: 8.2-8.4, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia: 0 by our test scale.
<I’d wait. The appearance of diatoms is all very normal in a new tank. It's just too early in the cycling process to add anything. Also, when your tank is completely cycled, be sure to add livestock in slow/small increments. Please see these links for more information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brownalgcontfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsetupii.htm .>
We were contemplating an Arrow crab, Emerald crab, hermit crabs and/or shrimp. Considering the critters already housing themselves in our tank, what would you recommend?
<Once your tank cycles completely, you could add a Cleaner Shrimp – something like a Lysmata amboinensis, or Lysmata grabhami. I love these little guys. They're well behaved, hardy, beautiful, and make great additions. I’d stay away from any crabs. They tend to be pickers, and not too picky about what they pick at, or eat! Hermits can be interesting as well, but you have to make sure you get the best species for your tank. Some get pretty large, and even the small ones can pose a risk to snails, some corals. It just depends on what you’d like to ultimately have/keep in your tank. The most important thing to do is ask questions and read, read, read! To that end, guess what? I’ve got more links for you! Here are some regarding Lysmata Shrimp, crabs, and hermits:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hippolytidae.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/swcrabs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm .>
Thanks in advance,
EA
<You're very welcome! Take care -Lynn>

White spots... Alcyonacean hlth., reading   1/14/08
Hello...again.
<Matt>
Could you possible identify two items for me? First on my live rock, round circular spots have started to form. It has been a week and one or two form each day. I do not believe they are eggs, but am unsure.
<Need a more highly resolved, closer up pic... could be algae, forams... maybe Spirorbids...>
Second, my leather coral is developing white "marks" as well. I thought this to bleaching, but again I am unsure. I will admit that my calcium was a bit high (500ppm),
<This is more than a bit...>
but I did a water change and it is back in line (right at 400ppm). PH 8.2, Alk 2.5,
<A bit low...>
temp 78, almost undetectable nitrites and 0ppm phosphates.
<All life needs some phosphate>
If you have any thoughts, I am always willing to listen.
<And hopefully to read>
As always , thanks!
M
<Start here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
Scroll down to Soft Corals, Health, Systems, more definitively for Alcyoniids... BobF>

Re: White spots  1/14/08
Bob,
Thanks for the reply! Wanted to let you know I purchased the books you recommend on corals! It is a great reference.
I believe I identified the small white spots appearing randomly in my tank. I recently(two weeks ago) added 2 Nerite Snails to the tank. I believe the spots which look like sesame seeds to be their eggs. I have seen pictures online and they look just like them.
Could this be possible?
<Ah, yes. Certainly>
Thanks!
M
<Welcome. B>