Some pests are worse than others, and to a certain extent that depends on what you're keeping.
1. 2 bad worms: others are ok. Google 'eunicid worm' and 'hermodice carunculata'. If you spot one, isolate the rock in your sump and try to trap it.
2. many bad crabs: the only safe ones either have no large claws or are micro-hermits.
3. many bad starfish: the pretty colored starfish (linckia) are for giant mature tanks only and of the rest, only the brittle stars are safe. The green serpent star can go after fish.
4. one bad mushroom ---the elephant ear: if you have small perching fish, it will kill them. Not dangerous if you don't have that sort of fish.
5. aiptasia---generally a few is no problem. A lot means your nutrients are a problem.
6. asterina stars---maybe a problem if you have zoas.
7. nudibranchs---a problem if you have zoas.
8. snails --- most are fine. Margaritas die: they're cold-water; snails you find on the beach may be whelks, which are predatory. And pointy top round snails fall over if they try to cross sand. But they're, outside of whelks and some so large you won't see them in the hobby, pretty safe.
9. algae. Hair---you have too much phosphate, and it soaks out of the rock slowly. Use GFO for that. Bubble comes and goes. No big deal. Other algaes, especially caulerpa, are a problem especially in a tank under 100 gallons. Remove the rock and scrub the area, soak 30 seconds in hydrogen peroxide (which kills all life on surface) and rinse well before replacing in tank.
10. flatworms---shaped like the Star Trek symbol, forked tail comma. If you spot one, take measures. Flatworm Exit may be used with precise instructions on label, and have a skimmer.
11. cyanobacteria---red film with bubbles, or red stain if early stage; check your lights if over 6 months on metal halides; on LEDs, you might try changing balance. But generally---it's nutrient loads and sunlight hitting the tank. 3 day blackout once monthly with 4th day on blues, low light---and aggressive skimming. If it recurs more than 3 months, seek advice.
Other things that creep, slink, burrow, and grow are generally ok...though I may have missed a few. Generally, don't freak: isolate it, get a pic, ask. No need to nuke your tank because you spotted an aiptasia. They come and they go.
1. 2 bad worms: others are ok. Google 'eunicid worm' and 'hermodice carunculata'. If you spot one, isolate the rock in your sump and try to trap it.
2. many bad crabs: the only safe ones either have no large claws or are micro-hermits.
3. many bad starfish: the pretty colored starfish (linckia) are for giant mature tanks only and of the rest, only the brittle stars are safe. The green serpent star can go after fish.
4. one bad mushroom ---the elephant ear: if you have small perching fish, it will kill them. Not dangerous if you don't have that sort of fish.
5. aiptasia---generally a few is no problem. A lot means your nutrients are a problem.
6. asterina stars---maybe a problem if you have zoas.
7. nudibranchs---a problem if you have zoas.
8. snails --- most are fine. Margaritas die: they're cold-water; snails you find on the beach may be whelks, which are predatory. And pointy top round snails fall over if they try to cross sand. But they're, outside of whelks and some so large you won't see them in the hobby, pretty safe.
9. algae. Hair---you have too much phosphate, and it soaks out of the rock slowly. Use GFO for that. Bubble comes and goes. No big deal. Other algaes, especially caulerpa, are a problem especially in a tank under 100 gallons. Remove the rock and scrub the area, soak 30 seconds in hydrogen peroxide (which kills all life on surface) and rinse well before replacing in tank.
10. flatworms---shaped like the Star Trek symbol, forked tail comma. If you spot one, take measures. Flatworm Exit may be used with precise instructions on label, and have a skimmer.
11. cyanobacteria---red film with bubbles, or red stain if early stage; check your lights if over 6 months on metal halides; on LEDs, you might try changing balance. But generally---it's nutrient loads and sunlight hitting the tank. 3 day blackout once monthly with 4th day on blues, low light---and aggressive skimming. If it recurs more than 3 months, seek advice.
Other things that creep, slink, burrow, and grow are generally ok...though I may have missed a few. Generally, don't freak: isolate it, get a pic, ask. No need to nuke your tank because you spotted an aiptasia. They come and they go.
