Stringy stuff floating after water change!

Melinda01

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Anyone know what this is? It is even on the fish and corals! It happened during a water change. There are even mats of it floating at the top of the tank. I’ve noticed it before but not this bad. It cleared up within a couple hours before.
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Or vermerid snails filter feeding. They feed after you kick up junk
 
If it’s white, most likely bacterial.
That would make sense. I was blowing an area that is covered in Cyano because I read that they like areas of low flow. Lol. My phosphate is high so I just added nitrate to try to balance the nutrients out in hopes of getting rid of it eventually. Nitrate is almost undetectable but phosphate is around 0.4.
 
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Oh no! The overflow is covered in this. Please tell me these are not the snails :eek:

Yes unfortunately. Physically remove them. Careful, they can cut you and be sharp.

Anytime you see one, remove them. They will self regulate depending on availability of food. They will send out a web of stringy stuff that will irritate corals.
 
7A3BB738-FFA3-40B0-B82F-6097418B6DC6.jpeg

Oh no! The overflow is covered in this. Please tell me these are not the snails :eek:
I'm far from an expert but that's what it looks like to me. From my understanding all you have to do is crush the base structure they create and siphon them up when you do your water change ro rid the tank of them
 
Yes unfortunately. Physically remove them. Careful, they can cut you and be sharp.

Anytime you see one, remove them. They will self regulate depending on availability of food. They will send out a web of stringy stuff that will irritate corals.
Thank you for the quick response. What do you mean self regulate? That they can come back? The overflow is also covered in aptasia unfortunately. I was going to throw a couple peppermints in there to devour it. Looks like I have some work to do :(
 
I'm far from an expert but that's what it looks like to me. From my understanding all you have to do is crush the base structure they create and siphon them up when you do your water change ro rid the tank of them
Use a siphon with a hand pump, I imagine they wouldn't taste too good.
 
I'm far from an expert but that's what it looks like to me. From my understanding all you have to do is crush the base structure they create and siphon them up when you do your water change ro rid the tank of them

Pretty much this^.

Self regulate meaning they will reproduce or die off depending on availability of food. If you feed heavy their numbers will increase.
 
Pretty much this^.

Self regulate meaning they will reproduce or die off depending on availability of food. If you feed heavy their numbers will increase.
I didn’t think I was feeding heavy because I’ve been trying to control the PO4 issue. But I’ll get to work and try to get the nasty critters out. I thought the PO4 was the reason that I was having issues with my coral growth. Guess it’s a combination of that and snails. Wish me luck!
 
I didn’t think I was feeding heavy because I’ve been trying to control the PO4 issue. But I’ll get to work and try to get the nasty critters out. I thought the PO4 was the reason that I was having issues with my coral growth. Guess it’s a combination of that and snails. Wish me luck!

Lots of reasons for corals not taking off. Those snails will irritate them. Good luck!
 
Lots of reasons for corals not taking off. Those snails will irritate them. Good luck!
I just took a good look at the tank and the rocks appear to be full of them. Not sure how I’m going to rid them all without crashing the tank. This really sucks. I like the bacterial bloom idea better.
 
Lots of reasons for corals not taking off. Those snails will irritate them. Good luck!
I’m trying to find a natural predator. I’ve read that yellow coris wrasse and emerald crabs sometimes eat them. I’ve been wanting a yellow coris for a while anyway. Just haven’t pulled the trigger because I keep peppermint shrimp to control aptasia and afraid they would be eaten by the fish. Looks like I may have to give it a try. Any idea if the wrasse or emeralds would actually help?
 
I’m trying to find a natural predator. I’ve read that yellow coris wrasse and emerald crabs sometimes eat them. I’ve been wanting a yellow coris for a while anyway. Just haven’t pulled the trigger because I keep peppermint shrimp to control aptasia and afraid they would be eaten by the fish. Looks like I may have to give it a try. Any idea if the wrasse or emeralds would actually help?

In all my years, I’ve never read or experienced one that will eat them.
 

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