The System:

I have a 20gal mixed reef with softies and LPS. I run a 10gal sump with skimmer, cheto fuge, DIY ATO, and phos reactor. Three inch sand bed/~30lbs live rock. Lighting is 130 watt PC. Flow is a total of ~ 850 gal per hour

Fish:
Pair of Occ. Clowns (female is a huge motha ~ 3-1/2")
Tail-spot Blenny

Inverts:
skunk cleaner shrimp
Peppermint shrimp
2 emerald crabs

CUC:
8 blue legs
~18 assorted snails (mostly astria)

Parameters:
Amm, nitrite, nitrate = 0
Phos = (API test that reads just above zero, my guess is .02 – which is down from well above .1)
Calc: 420
DKH: 11
Mag: ? not testing yet… kit is in the mail

I have just recently begun dosing my IO salt to bring it up to the current calc and DKH levels. They were previously at 380 and 8 respectively.

Until recently I did not have a mechanical filter other than my skimmer (I now use filter socks that get changed once per week), nor did I run a phos reactor or siphon the sand bed during WC. I also just recently added the Cheto to the fuge. Oh… the bulbs are 3 months old, I use 0 tds water from my LFS, and feed a varied diet (frozen, flake, pellet, nori) to fish MWF and coral Sat.

My question is this: should I get a six line to eat whatever is eating my shrooms? The squiggly little buggars in question are tiny, white, ruffled and only on my blue/green mushrooms. I don't have a good enough camera to get a good shot.

I wanted to keep my fish to three, but there may be room for a fourth. My biggest concern is that I have been battling hair algae for a long time and finally feel like I am getting the upper hand; one more mouth, I fear, will put me back to square one.

Also, I like to use natural remedies where ever possible, which puts Flat Worm Exit low on my list.

Ideas? Any would be appreciated – especially on how to get rid of the f-ing algae.


All of that to ask:
1) are 4 too many fish?
2) What the H is eating my mushrooms?
3) is there anything else I can do to overcome my HA?

Thanks all!