I always give the critter the benefit of the doubt before removing it. I wait to see if I can see any kind of damage before I act.
However, having had the same kind of crab that you describe create a nice dead spot in my SPS, I removed him with a pair of sharp nosed tweezers. I created a frag or two in the process.
I doubt that a crab of that type will leave the coral to fall into a trap.
As for your first photos...I agree...sponge and valonia algae. Valonia has certainly given some people trouble, but it has never caused any problem for me. I think that people get into trouble trying to eliminate ALL algae from their systems.
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400 gal reef. Established April, 2007. 3 Sequence Dart, RM12-4 skimmer, 2 x OM4Ways, Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown (pair), Blonde Naso Tang, Vlamingi Tang, Foxface Rabbit, Unicorn Tang, 2 Pakistani Butterflies and a few coral gobies
My Tank: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28436
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