Red macro-algae ID 1/30/04 Could you help me ID these?  I've been all over your site, but nothing jumps out at me.  Thanks in advance for your help.  Jennifer <Hi Jennifer.  Adam here.  Wow!  Kudos on your successful cultivation of such beautiful specimens.  The first pic (grape looking) is probably Botryocladia sp.  The last one (sort of feathery) is probably Gracilaria.  The middle one (finger shapes) is a stumper, but could be Codium.  HTH.  Best Regards.  Adam>

Snail and algae id Hello all( again!) For some reason  my snail pics never seemed to make it to you all- so I'll try sending them as attachments this time =P <They came through, not exactly sure what type of snail that is... perhaps an egg cowry, maybe even specifically Dentiovula dorsuosa, but hard to say for certain. More on those here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/gastropo.htm > Also I am attaching a picture of something that came on my live rock. It is about 4" long, 2" tall, and has what appears to be tiny red fur like things upon it. Part is white-like a bleached coral,  and the whole thing was fairly stiff when I received it, but now is moving (swaying) with the current in the tank. <Looks like an algae of some type, possibly a Galaxaura species.> Any help would be very appreciated.   Best wishes to you all. J Casey <Cheers, J -- >

- Algae & Setup Questions -
Hey fellas... it's been forever since I've chatted with ya... in short my tank has been doing well... ? <Ok?>
My tank is over a year old now and I am getting some algae growth.  I realize this can be good and bad.  I've browsed your website looking for answers and would like some answers from the pros (i.e. YOU).
My tank info:
90 gallon salt water
salt level 23/24
temp 25oc
front of the tank does get some indirect sunlight
2-3" of live sand ~ yep I have to fix this when I move (4 inches all around right??) <Wouldn't hurt.>
Protein skimmer
2 power heads
95lbs live rock
1 cleaner shrimp, 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 pistol shrimp
15 snails, 20 blue legged hermits, 1 black brittle star 2 percula clowns, three gobies
1.  I am getting more and more 'astro turf' like green algae in small sections of my tank... but it has been spreading over the past 4 months. Can this harm my tank?? <Not all by itself... but could interfere with coral growth if you have any.> How do I get rid of it? <Near-term mostly by hand, log term by improving circulation and being cautious of overfeeding.>
2.  I have some nice burgundy encrusting algae (it's pretty hard and rough) on my liverock, power heads, filter intake, etc...  I was told before that this is healthy for my tank... Recently I've noticed a few small patches going dark green...  any ideas of what this might be?? <Another type of encrusting algae.> Perhaps it ties to my first or next question?
3.  I am also getting some 'sea weedy' looking green algae growing in a clump near the front corner of my tank.  Not sure if this is a really bad (or good?) case of question #1 or if this is a different type of algae? <Depends on what type it is... a picture would help.> My hunch would be it's a different type...  hmm, maybe it is seaweed?? <Maybe.> Is this good or bad?? <I'd like to say good, but it's wise to make sure that whatever it is, it isn't allowed to get out of hand. If it seems to be growing too quickly or in an unsightly manner, trim it back... don't wait.>
4.  At one point I had about 60 blue legged hermits, 50 snails, 2 Mithrax, and a black brittle star.  My pistol shrimp has feasted on most of my hermits (yep, I know they aren't suppose to go after hermits... but I am 100% positive it is my shrimp eating them as I have witnessed it many times... and yep it is definitely a pistol shrimp not a mantis.) <Well... would also expect a good percentage of these to just die from other causes.> My cleanup crew is now about 20 blue legged hermits, 15 snails, my brittle star, no Mithrax...  Would I be correct in saying I should ideally have one crab and snail for each gallon in my tank?? <Don't like ratios like that - I think the balance you have now is probably ok.>
Wanted your advice.  I have my tank at my parents place right now as I just moved into a new house.  I will be building my fish tank into a den in the basement by end of February.  At the time I move my tank I will be removing my predatory pistol shrimp.  I will definitely be stocking up on 'clean-up crew' at that point (i.e. more snails and crabs).  If it was you, would you be stocking up immediately to help fix a potential algae problem?? <I'd look for something larger that actually eats algae as a primary food - many fish do this.> Or would you wait until my tank is ready to go in a 'final resting spot'??? <I'd let the stuff go for a while - the arrival of different types of algae is a sign the system is gradually maturing.>
Thanks for your help guys...
Oh, while I think of it... are you a fan of the 'Marine Clean' products?? You know, water conditioners, sludge removal, live bacteria, etc... ? <Not familiar with, or have not used these products but have seen their names in print. Am skeptical of some of these types of product names that promote something 'super fantastic' that may be neither super or fantastic.> Or are these $20 bottles a waste? <If the product promises you less work on your tank, I'd mark it as suspect.> Last question, is it difficult to turn my tank setup into a 'sump setup'?  What is required? <Need a tank and a sump. Type of overflow can vary - internal overflow is best, overflow boxes work but are a compromise. Sump designs can vary greatly - should research online.> Just a hole and some seals in my tank with a smaller tank below, new filter, etc? <Something like that.>
Your response is greatly appreciated...
Dave
<Cheers, J -- >