Maybe Aiptasia And Something Else'¦ Maybe Better Pics And Maybe Valonia  11/13/07 Hello again... <Hi Jason, Mich here.> What a great website this is. I have found a great deal of useful information. <Wonderful to hear!> You have answered several of my questions with a speedy response, thank you. <Glad you have been pleased.> Ok, now down to business. I have just "set up" a saltwater 75G with 75# cured LR 4 days ago. All is well with the readings, to my surprise. Seems to be going smoothly through the "cycling" process right now. I have some experience with saltwater systems and am familiar with all the natural things happening in my tank, but two things are puzzling me. I attached some pics for you to see. 001 pic is of what I think is Aiptasia, <Could be... but is really hard to tell... did you have your lights on when you took the pic?> two or three of these guys on the rock in the foreground, could this be? <Could be, or could be a yarn octopus, like my grandmother used to make, sitting on your LR! Really, need a better quality image to give any sort of opinion other than perhaps...> If so, what should I combat them with, or do I even need to? <Here are some links if this is indeed what you have: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/Cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/aiptasia_impressions/aiptaisia_impressions.htm I also found 2 interesting culprits. They are 2 small round, black pearl looking objects growing from another piece of rock. 002 pic in the center where the rock meets the sand, <I can't tell what this is. I'm sorry, but the picture is just not detailed enough.> and the other is dead center of the rock in 003 pic. <This looks like Valonia... I would remove, and try not to rupture this cell or reproductive juices may be spread.> http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm http://www.thesea.org/reef_aquarium/pests/pests_valonia.php Can you identify them for me, and what should I do to combat these things? <If you can get better pics I will gladly take another look for you Jason.> Thanks again.... <Welcome! Mich> Jason

Re: Maybe Aiptasia And Something Else'¦ Maybe Better Pics And Valonia 11/14/2007 I will turn my lights off and attempt to take better pics tomorrow. <No, Jason wait! You need the lights ON!!! The pics were too dark and not clear/detailed enough. Please check and see if your camera has a Macro setting (Often looks like a flower) this may help you get a more focused shot.> I just went to the links that you gave me to look at, and I'm sure its Valonia growing on the rock. It is the "black pearl" type. <OK.> What do you recommend to take these pearls off and out of the tank w/o releasing any spores? <Sometimes you can just ever so gently wiggle them loose with out breaking them, just don't squeeze them very hard. Otherwise try to pop it off as you're siphoning so if it does rupture hopefully most the fluid will be removed from the tank. Good luck! Mich>

Re: Maybe Aiptasia And Something Else'¦ Maybe Better Pics And Valonia 11/14/2007 Gotcha gotcha, <Get it? Got it? Good! Heehee!> thanks Mich.... <Welcome Jason!> I will check my camera and adjust the settings. <The macro setting will likely be the most helpful.> I would like to get quality photos like I see on the net. <Sometimes easier said than done. Trust me... and the thousands of photos on my hard drive...> I believe my camera is capable. <Yes is usually the camera operator where the problem lies!> Once again, thanks for the information. <You are welcome as always.> I have had 75lbs. of LR in my tank since start-up a week ago, <Patience and taking things slow is the key to success.> would it be ok to add about 10-15 lbs more w/o disturbing the parameters to greatly? <Would likely be ok. But is always best to keep a close watch on your water parameters and do frequent water changes if numbers begin to go out of range. Good luck, Mich>

Re: Maybe Aiptasia And Something Else'¦ Maybe Better Pics And Valonia 11/18/2007 Hello.. <Hi Jason, Mich back with you, apologizing for the delay.> just wanted to follow up with you on my "problems". <Good!> I picked those pearl things off my LR. They felt like smooth acorns almost. They came off pretty easy and intact, anyways there gone. <All good!> I got rid of the rock with the anemones on them. Didn't want them effecting my soon to be habitants, corals. <OK> I picked up 3 more 5lb or less cured LR. That brings my new system to about 85lbs of LR. <OK.> My skimmer is a Pro Clear, fairly large, and I had it on my 160 gal FOWLER. Any objections or recommendations? <I am not familiar with this Skimmer. If it produces a fair amount of nasty stuff regularly it is likely fine.> The micro bubbles that I asked about... <Mmm, first time you've mentioned actually.> can you run the return of the skimmer into the carbon filled filter bag to lessen the microbubbles entering the sump where my return pump is located? Thanks again..
<Welcome! Mich>

Ok, I Give Up-- Macroalgae ID? 11/7/07  Lynn's go   11/07/07 Hello fellow Crew members, <Hi Sara!> This is indeed embarrassing, but after months of scouring the internet, I can't figure out what this is. <Been there, done that!> It's my all time favorite macro algae. It's beautiful, <Yes, indeed.> non-invasive and fast growing (the perfect refugium/sump algae IMO). <Wish I had that instead of the wicked red turf algae I've been battling recently!> Now, if only I knew what the heck it is! Hopefully, whatever it is, it's not toxic (though I've had it for years and never had any reason to think it is). <Well, I'm by no means an expert on this subject, but I found something that looks very similar, Hypnea pannosa, over at Algaebase.org. What caught my eye was the fourth photo down at this link: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=2719 . As far as toxicity, if it is indeed Hypnea, it's safe/edible for people and fish, and is harvested as a source for carrageenan (used as a food additive/thickener, etc). I hope I've at least gotten close on the Id, but if not, let me know!> Thanks,
Sara M.
<You're very welcome! Take care -Lynn>

A Rhodophyte... am sure. RMF.

Algae ID Help... Hair Algae Dear Wet Web Crew, <Hi Martin, Mich with you tonight.> Your help in identifying the algae as seen in the attached photo would be most appreciated. <Is hair algae, a nuisance for sure!> I've been unable to find similar looking algae in a search of your incredible site. <Not sure which species specifically, could be Derbesia, Boodlea, Cladophora, Bryopsis to name a few. Regardless, you'll want to try to get rid of it, likely by stepping up your maintenance. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/marineMaint.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/water.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgcont6.htm Thank you,
<Welcome! Martin