Cleaning Galaxia coral?

[druce]

I was told to ask this in this forum vice the Reefkeeping so here goes:

I have hair algae growing inbetween my galaxea polyps, and was windering if I could take a toothbrush and lightly clean between them or would that cause risk of damage to the polyps themselves.

If so, any suggestions to get the hair algae off the coral? I am afraid it will eventually choke it.

[markvanderwoude]

sounds like something I would do....but I am no help because I don't even know...

[druce]

I might try a small patch tonight and see what happens.

[theyeg2]

I have three Galaxias and I have never had a problem with hair algae anywhere near them. However, I do have Yellow and Purple Tangs that seek out any hair algae that they can find- even if it is located on a rock with a coral attached. I get a lot of help from my clean-up crew as well. I would not be comfortable using a toothbrush on them.

[druce]

well after the moonlights come on last night I was able to see a hint of green in most of the polyps - so I think they are fine.

My cleanup crew seems to be a little slacking in the "clean up" department - eventually I will add more hermits, and maybe a few more snails.