Feather Duster... and other annoying things?? HELP PLEASE!!!

[DisneyMatt10]

So, I bought this really pretty "Hawaiian Feather Duster" thing. (Or so that's what they claim it is) and out of no where I'm getting what looks like hundreds of little baby "Hawaiian Feather Dusters." . . . To the point they are becoming annoying instead of awe-inspiring. Anyway, so this is what I bought:



And these (hundreds of these) are what keep popping up... EVERYWHERE:


(It's the little white tube in the center of the photo with a similar colored (to the larger feather duster) "feather duster" coming out of it.

I have no idea what these things are. . . Or if they are good, or bad for the tank, but any feedback you could give me on these is greatly appreciated.

Also, I'm developing another problem in the tank. . . I'm getting thousands of these little spiral things that seem to be secreting a silk Web like thing almost. Here's a few photos of them:






Again, no idea what any of this stuff that seems to be taking over my tank is. . . But any feedback you can provide me on either of them is great appreciated. Also, I apologize for the not so high quality photos. They were taken with my phone.

Thanks.
~Matt

 

[esolo16]

Yes you a getting feather dusters. Part of every tank and good filter feeders.

Hard to tell from the pics, but the spirals are probably vermetid snails. They are a pain and if you're not careful, you could stab yourself with one. Contrary to feather dusters, vermetid snails are a nuisance.

 

[KJ]

A+ vermetid snails.

 

[Maritimer]

Your small feather dusters have no relation to your big Hawaiian feather duster. The Hawaiian has a parchment tube, but it looks like the little ones (which just show up on liverock sometimes - they're hitchhikers from the ocean, not offspring of the Hawaiian) have a calcium tube. They're harmless filter feeders

Your other tubes - and they are indeed vermetid snails - are somewhat less socially redeeming. These guys are filter feeders too - after a fashion. They produce a web of snotty mucus that ensnares particles and plankton, which they then reel in and consume. A few folks have had luck with breaking them off or epoxying over them, others just limit feeding so that the vermetids don't reproduce too much.

~Bruce

 

[Doran]

All correct......i would recommend getting rid of the snails......they put that film net around then and are not a positive. I personally like the little feather dusters. I had a copperband butterfly that lost its home in my tank because he became fat n healthy eating my feather Dusters!

 

[Peterski]

I have the same problem and looking into a wrasse, but I need one that won't attach my harlequin shrimp

 

[ahiggins]

All correct-although your "baby feather dusters" may just be spirorbid which are great to have regardless.
The vermitid snails are a pain and those nets will damage coral tissue real fast. You can super glue the ends or just break them off (the smaller ones are easy, the bigger ones may need to just be crushed). Ive gotten stabbed by vermitids before and it feels like a hypodermic needle. Not fun.

 

[Peterski]

All correct-although your "baby feather dusters" may just be spirorbid which are great to have regardless.
The vermitid snails are a pain and those nets will damage coral tissue real fast. You can super glue the ends or just break them off (the smaller ones are easy, the bigger ones may need to just be crushed). Ive gotten stabbed by vermitids before and it feels like a hypodermic needle. Not fun.

I have too many to superglue. Rather have a cool wrasse to do the work .