Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Pests, Nudsiance Algae and Prevention => Topic started by: Heinbaughb on October 22, 2017, 19:18:13

Title: Pest ID
Post by: Heinbaughb on October 22, 2017, 19:18:13

I can’t figure out what is growing throughout my tank and on the base of this hammer. Are these tube worms? Maybe vermetid snails? I tried researching on my own but couldn’t figure it out
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/1fef46d996ef50a5d2512d581140629e.jpg)


120 gallon mixed reef.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Humphrey on October 22, 2017, 19:28:04

They look like vermetid snails. Manual removal is the only way I know of getting rid of them. I have heard nutrient control but I’ve seen them with zero nutrients. 

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Wall_Tank on October 22, 2017, 19:31:07

Vermetid snails

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/vermetid-snails-harm-coral-reefs-with-multiprong-attack

Note in the bottom right circle, that is a baby hammer polyp next to the snail.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Heinbaughb on October 22, 2017, 19:36:42

Yikes..these guys reproduce like crazy. Anyone have luck with crabs or wrasses for removing them? I have 3-4 baby hammer polyps growing on that frag. I was hoping not to have to disturb it.


120 gallon mixed reef.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Heinbaughb on October 22, 2017, 19:57:33

I think I’ll try adding a small army of bumblebee snails. I was reading on reef2reef somebody had very good luck with them and no negative effects.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-with-vermetid-snails.193038/


120 gallon mixed reef.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: SweetReefOH on October 22, 2017, 20:52:18

Keep us updated. I have them all over my tank and hate them... Would love to find something that eats them.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Wall_Tank on October 22, 2017, 22:18:22

There are no reliable predators. 

Just bust them off manually, or cover the tube opening with glue.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: SweetReefOH on October 23, 2017, 15:54:18

How do you do that under water?

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Heinbaughb on October 23, 2017, 15:58:57

I’m going to test my luck with bumblebee snails. I’m trying to avoid reaching into the tank. If it doesn’t work..at least I’ll have something cool to look at. Jessie if you want to place an order with me, we could get a quantity discount.


120 gallon mixed reef.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: SweetReefOH on October 23, 2017, 19:48:07

Brian, I am concerned with the bumblebees as well. Live aquaria says they will eat other snails if food is low. I like my current snail population. They do a great job. I think I’ll have to pass on the bumblebees. Thanks for the offer though. I want to hear how people go about glueing these tubes shut....

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: Heinbaughb on October 23, 2017, 21:08:23

I tried super glueing a couple of the big ones but decided it wasn’t a long term solution


120 gallon mixed reef.

Title: Re: Pest ID
Post by: SweetReefOH on October 23, 2017, 21:26:54

I’ve had a little luck on some of the shorter tubes by sticking a needle all the way in until it bottoms out. Obviously that won’t work on all of them because of their location. I’m gonna try to find a way to do the superglue