White crusty things taking over tank

[sho14u]

My tank seems to be invaded by little white crusty specs that kinda look like barnacles. About the size of a pin head. They seem to like all my live rock, sea shells and even the glass of my tank. They took over my refugium and even stopped up my sump pump. I have cleaned out my refuguim and pump and did a 1/4 water change and cleaned the glass. Any idea what these damm things are and how to get rid of them?

 

[MzWeazelle]

They may be tiny filter-feeders. I had lots of them in my tank, too, especially on areas that didn't get too much light. Mine were white, and the creature inside was red. Unfortunately I don't have any suggestion on how to get rid of them since they never seemed to cause a problem in my tank. You may have a high amount of food for them in the tank, so cutting down on what you're feeding your fish may help starve the little buggers out.

Good Luck!

 

[sho14u]

Thanks for the reply. They aren't that big of a deal with the exception that they make some of my live rock look bad and that they stopped up my sump pump. I will try backing off of the food and seeing what hapens. Thanks agian

 

[wrightme43]

Well it could be all kinds of things. With out a photo its very hard to get it right. Possibly tube worms, baby chiton, barnicles all kinds of stuff comes in on live rock. Questions that may help others narrow it down. Where is your live rock from I.E. Tonga, Figi, Haitian, Florida, or where ever. How much light on your tank. This will sound wierd but what are your livestock, and inverts? What are your tank parameters. Normally when you have a overgrowth of filter feeder, which I think you are describing, it means the tank has got more nutrients than it needs. How much and what kind of light. What is the temp on your tank? All these sound unrelated but they do matter. A picture would be a great help as well. If its the little white shelled tube worm that is all curled in a ball with red feathers they come when nutrients are too high. If that is what it is, a better idea of what is in your tank and where the parameters are at will help others to help you beat this. Steve