red hair algea & flatworms

[polizei]

My 33 gal reef has been running for about six months and recently red hair algea has developed. The weird thing is that it is only on the right one third of the tank which is where the protein skimmer is located. It is also on the sponge connected to the powerhead driving the skimmer. There is another sponge on the powerhead in the middle of the tank, but no hair algea. Any suggestions only how to control it? In recent weeks I have also been blessed with tons of flatworms. I tried siphoning them out which only works for a few days. I recently purchased a yellow wrasse which is supposed to eat them, however, he has only put a slight dent in thier population. I researched flatworms on wetwebmedia.com and discovered that thay seem to thrive in tanks where phytoplankton is added, which I add two times a week for the small maxima clam that I have. They also advise to add a yellow wrasse. Any further suggestions and / or advice would be appreciated!

EQUIPMENT

33 gal tank 48x12x13
2 aquaclear 300's
1 aquaclear mini w/ surface skimmer
seaclone 100 skimmer
216 watt t-5 lights (2 actinic - 2 10000k)
1 rotating powerhead
20 lbs live rock
sand and crushed coral sustrate

SUPPLEMENTS

coral vite
iodine
calcium
strontium - molybe....?
dt's phyto

temp 78-79
calcium 400-450
lights are on about nine and a half hours
phosphate 0
nitrate 0

The red algae should be treated as any other nuisance algae... keep your nutrients low, manually remove when possible, etc.

What kind of flat worms do you have?? Some are harmless... others are harmful.

With "harmful" flat worms, IMO it's best to eliminate them at the first sing of them. The longer you wait, the larger the population will get. I'm normally against chemical treatments but I'd use Salifert Flatworm exit...

[polizei]

I saw the salifert and wasn't sure about it, having a reef and all. Have you used it before or know someone who has with success and no ill effects on coral and inverts? The flatworms are very small, thin, and maroonish in color. At one point they covered my star polyps to the point where they wouldn't open. I don't know what type they are though. Any idea why the hair algea forms where the skimmer flows? I really appreciate your time and help!!!

Any idea why the hair algea forms where the skimmer flows?

Not sure?? I don't know how your system is set up but it could just be because of the additional water flow from the skimmer, bringing nutrients/CO2/O2 into that area. How often and how much do you feed of the DTs?? and what else and how often are you feeding??

Have you used it before or know someone who has with success and no ill effects on coral and inverts?

I have & know others that have with no ill effects. You have to follow the directions "exactly".

Make sure they are harmful first... which they sound like they are. Can you get a picture??

[polizei]

I feed the dt's about 1 - 1.5 tsp two or three times per week. What do you think (the clam is about 3- 4 inches and I understand that that get 65% of their food at that size from the phyto). The clam seems to be doing fine for now with the t-5 at 216 watts. I now that most recommend the halides. I was turning the smimmer off when I added the dt's but it was hard to get the skimmer to fuction properly afterards, so I stopped turning it off. I feed flakes once per day and four or so times per week I add mysis, brine, or prime reef. I have a yellow wrasse, percula, flamehawk, neon goby, and a sailfin benny. The additional c02/02 makes sense!

[polizei]

I'll try to post a pic for you tonight or tomorrow. The only apparent problem the flatworms have caused was with the star polyps which have rebounded for the most part.

What kind of clam is it?? After about 4" they rely heavily on lighting and not so much on feeding but they will still feed. Personally wouldn't feed DTs over twice a week.

[polizei]

This is the best pic of the flatworms that I could come up with. The clam is a Tridacna Maxima and it is from mantle tip to tip no bigger than three inches.

[polizei]

Maybe this one is a little better.

[polizei]

The DT's container says to feen 1-2 tsp per 15 gal everyother day. Sounds like a little much for one small clam and one feather duster?

[FishinInTheDark]

Why don't you remove the clam from your tank and feed it in a bowl? When the water is no longer greenish, you can put it back into the tank. That way you wouldn't be dumping nutrients into your display. You'll want to keep up on feeding that bad boy, because it won't get sufficient energy from your lights as it gets larger.

It's really hard to see, but I'd guess you have red planaria, as you already know. I have not used Flatworm Exit, but have heard good reports from those who have used it IF it's done correctly.

It's not that surprising that you're seeing a cyano bloom at six months. Keep up on your water changes, feed sparingly, skim aggressively, etc., and it will recede in its own time.