little white bug looking things?

[Big_Johnson_Pro]

my new reef tank has been cycling with live rock for 2-3 weeks had a break out of diatom but its settling down now and disappearing. this evening i noticed on my glass tiny white dots moving around, i mean tiny, but they are moving all directions and heaps of them... the antinic lights i run in the evening give them a slight glow. if i had to describe their shape it would be tear drop shaped. any idea what these little things are?
cheers

 

[Ricardo529]

They are probably copepods. They are a good thing and typically show up after the cycle and diatom bloom. Here's a good article about them.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/rs/index.php

Rick

 

[Anemonebuff]

Pods.

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/pods.html

 

[Mopar Reefer]

Agreed, pods are a good thing. Reef life begins

 

[Big_Johnson_Pro]

AWESOME!!! SO IT BEGINS ... i've had no noticeable change in water parameters but the fact that the diatom is disappearing does this mean my tank in cycled? ie. can i add something to look at?

 

[Ricardo529]

Yeah if your ammonia and nitrites are 0 then you're probably clear to start adding things. I would do a water change (especially if your nitrates are creeping up) and then start with a clean up crew.

Just remember to go slow because every time you add livestock, your bioload goes up and the bacteria need time to catch up.

 

[Big_Johnson_Pro]

sweet shall do a water change this weekend and go shopping for my posie