Snail and algae ID?

[Zucker26]

I have a 12gal NanoCube that has been slowly developing a weird algae problem, and I can't seem to identify the algae (LFS said maybe Maiden's Hair, but not bryopsis). I hadn't added anything in 6 months until yesterday when I bought a tuxedo urchin to try to combat the algae. Tonight, when I was checking on the urchin, I noticed three strange snails I have never seen before.

Weird algae....


Two of the snails, about the size of a pea...


To show the size comparison in relation to urchin. The snails are in the top left and one in the bottom right...


Does anyone know what kind of snails these are? Are they good or bad?

[stevelkaneval]

i think they are called collinista snails? and that looks like hair algea, what kind of water do you use tap or ro/di?

[stevelkaneval]

oh yea the snails are good.

[kiknchikn]

The algae looks like a type of bryopsis to me. I don't generally listen to what LFS employees try to tell me...

The snails, probably collonistas, although the ones in my tank only get to be about 3 - 4mm in size.

[Zucker26]

Thanks for the info on the snails. As for the algae, I thought bryopsis at first as well. The urchin, however, seems to be eating it, so now I don't think it's bryopsis. I really have no clue what it is, but either way the tuxedo urchin will hopefully take care of it sooner or later.

[kenwendyb]

Does algea feel like bristle brush and very hard to pick off?

[Zucker26]

Yes. It feels like a very stiff tooth brush, and it's absolutely impossible to pull off. Even pulling on a few small hairs will rip out a piece of the rock.

[kenwendyb]

I am sooooo glad some one else has seen this stuff!!! BUT so sorry your dealing with too. It IS NOT Bryopsis. This I am certain of. I have a couple different threads going trying to figure out what is too and so far nothing. Went to 2 lfs yesterday and no help either. My Tomini tang eats it as is the main reason I got him but he can no longer keep up with it. It spreads fast so watch out!!!!!! however, it does not affect my corals in any way. Actually seems to just like my bare rock. My phosphates are a little high which I'm assuming is why growing so fast. I'm putting my Magnum with phosphate remover on for a while. I'll see how this does. My next step was to get an urchin and let him at it. I just never really have luck with these guys. Always Wreak havoc with tank. Keep me posted! I have suscribed to your thread.

[Zucker26]

Kenwendy,

Sorry to hear you have this stuff too, but you sound like you have it much worse than I do. Mine started as very small tufts over a year ago, and only now has reached a point where it's annoying me. It grows amazingly slow, but I have been running Phosban the whole time. The algae seems to pull detritus from the water column and trap it, which must be where it gets the nutrients required for growth.

Anyway, the LFS near me (top-notch LFS with extremely knowledgable staff; rated one of the best in the NE) told me they suspect it's Maiden's Hair. Melev has this picture on his website that looks exactly like my algae, and he too lists it as Maiden's Hair.

The LFS told me the only thing that will eat it is a tuxedo urchin (other urchins too, but only the tuxedo will work in a 12gal and not knock stuff over in larger tanks). So I picked one up Friday, and in under 36 hours it has already almost cleaned off one entire rock. At this pace, he could have the whole tank cleaned out within the month. I'm nervous about the urchin, though, because I have heard horror stories. I'll keep you posted!!!

[kiknchikn]

I stand corrected

Hopefully the urchin will take care of the problem for both of you. It's nice to hear of a LFS that has staff that give truthful responses.

[kenwendyb]

Your last pic was great! I think it is different from mine. My strands are not so long and more feathery. But feels like brillo pad. Mine started about year ago and was never any problem. But now is. I ran out of phosphate test a while ago and never had a problem so I wasn't concerned but went to lfs yeserday and had tested and out of wack so am treating. Didn't want to wait for shipment. I'm not real comfortable with lfs here(moved). Dude didn't even look at it and said hair algea till I reached in bag and put in his hand. Then said "Hmm, got a tang?" The other said "looks like macro algae" and then suggested Vodka treatment. I'm doing magnum but my oring needs to be replaced. Soaking right now and then will try to hook up. Yeah, I don't use any thing to attach my reef just careful placement so a urchin scares me. Thanks again.

[Zucker26]

Yea, I'm in the same "careful placement" boat as you. I was told most urchins will definitely knock stuff over, but supposedly the tuxedo urchin stays fairly small and doesn't tend to be a problem. Watch me wake up tomorrow with a shattered front panel and a rock leaning up against it!