Cleaning issues

[kreblak]

My glass needs a good cleaning, as my snails haven't quite been up to the task of late. The problem I have is that there are several patches of deep purple/red coloration on the glass. Is this corraline algae growing? Is it red slime algae/cyanobacteria? I sincerely hope it is not the latter, as the areas where the growth is occuring are about 6 inches up on the glass in a high current. Do I clean this, or is it beneficial corraline algae that I should keep despite its unattractiveness?

Aside from wondering whether or not to clean the algae, I have white coiled worms EVERYWHERE in the tank. They started off as about 10 in an isolated part of the tank. Now, all four walls are covered and so is my base rock. What is the best way to get rid of all these little things? My algae brush doesn't work on them, and neither does a wooden spoon.

 

[VoodooChild]

Can't help you with the worms, but is the algae on the side slimy or hard? If it's slimy, it cyano. Check your pH, nitrates, all the usual stuff, to see if there's a problem there. Otherwise, if it is coralline, no, it doesn't need to be there if you don't like it, but it's not causing any damage either, so it's really up to you.

 

[OrionGirl]

Use a scraper--the have nylon blades or steel ones. Very easy, very effective. Best for removing the worm shells and corraline algae. I would clean just the panes you view through--leave the other to grow algae (your fish and such will appreciate the buffet, copos will thrive there).

 

[kreblak]

What are these little coiled worm things I have? They appear to be filter feeders, as I have seen one of the larger ones with a fan extended. How do they reproduce, what are they called, etc? Are they small feather dusters?

 

[OrionGirl]

Stony worm is what I've always called them--they have a scientific name, but they basically are a polychaete that builds a calcareous tube as protection, much like a bee builds wax. Filter feeders, harmless, a prolific in cycles in my tank--one month we have a swarm, then a few, then a swarm. Not sure, but most likely, reproduction is done via a broadcast spawning, releasing clouds of gametes that meet up with oppposites, float around, settle, and grow.