White Swirl Things :( [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums

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matrixnyc

11-03-2002, 01:12 AM

I have about 75-100 white swirlly things that show up on my tanks glass every couple of days. I am able to scrap it off (no easy) but they seem to come back every few days. The start out as dots and begin to form sprials. I dont know if they are good or bad, I do know they mess up the way my tank looks.

Photo below shows what they look like, sorry it is not clear

saltyfishboy

11-03-2002, 01:22 AM

I have those in my tank too. They come and go. I don't think they are harmful...just annoying. I wouldn't worry about it.

I am not sure about the conditions in which they thrive. Perhaps someone else knows.

matrixnyc

11-03-2002, 01:32 AM

They are just so darn annoying, as soon as i finish removing them the come back. Just wish i knew if there was a way to prevent /slow down them from coming back.

HoopsGuru

11-03-2002, 02:48 AM

They are called spirorbids and are 100% harmless. They are tiny filter feeders and are actually a sign of a healthy tank!

Pineapple House

11-03-2002, 03:02 AM

Yup, agreed with Hoops. I have 1000's everywhere, if it is on the base of a coral, to on the front glass, and even on my emerald crabs! While they can be annoying, they are harmless, and will filter feed throughout the water. One way I get rid of them on my front glass, is gently scrape then off with a hard credit card. Some species of butterfly fish are known for eating these.

PH =)

matrixnyc

11-03-2002, 12:17 PM

I have been using the Tunze Power Magnet Cleaner (http://www.marinedepot.com/a_mi_tunze_mc.asp?CartId=) and it has been easier to take them off with it, but still a little annoying, but you said it is a sign of a healthy tank, so I am happy and will have to live with it.

Thanks for all your help.

HoopsGuru

11-03-2002, 01:08 PM

As your tank ages and coralline algae begins to grow over most of the glass (except where you scrape) they will tend to decline a bit. I now only have some on the powerheads and back glass.

Zack

11-05-2002, 10:33 PM

I get them a lot as well and mostly on my black gallss I have read up on them and as said earlir thwyare harmless. It seems throu with more coraalline growing I get more

Anonymous

11-05-2002, 11:26 PM

spirobids are related to the bristle worms and do no harm as has been stated they do however use a considerable amount of calcium out of the water column if you do hard corals keep your ca at 380-400 ppm if no hard corals then no need for elevated ca levels low ca levels will discourage the worms as will strong current and 80 deg f.