Unidentified Critters Appearing everywhere

[thegyft07]

I have had my tank running for 2 months now. Coraline coming in fast and parameters settling, but I have come home and noticed that what looked like small bubbles wans't small bubbles at all. They were very small critters moving about the tank. One looked like a worm another looked like a snail and another like speed racer. What are they? Sorry they are to small for camera's to pick up.

I figured that they were Bristol worms, snails and copepods, but That was just an educated guess, please advise.

 

[thegyft07]

Can someone please stop and provide feed back in stead of just reading please.

 

[EllieSuz]

Your guess is right on. Very likely copepods and amphapods. Bristle worms don't move about in the water column, but you probably have those too. The things that spring out of the live rock are what makes this hobby so interesting. All these creatures are beneficial to your system. Relax.

 

[thegyft07]

Thank You.

 

[thegyft07]

umm since i have them, and they are numerous in number in my 55. what amount would let me know if i had a system with enought to support a Mandrin and also. My Nitrate just spiked and from 20 to 40 in like 2 days. will this really go down to zero in time or do I do wa water change to make it go down.?

 

[EllieSuz]

Please do some research on Mandarins before you consider purchasing one. In my opinion a 55 is too small, but if you have maybe another 25 lbs. of rock and a large, productive refugium and are willing to wait six months or more, you might consider one. If your ammonia and nitrites are now reading zero and your nitrates are climbing, it would be a good time to do a water change. You are likely to regret the crushed coral in time so now would be a good time to remove it. Once you start to acquire livestock it is more difficult. What do you use your cannister for?

 

[thegyft07]

I keep it for mechanical filtration. Plan on getting a bit more LR, and waiting to get one,reaearching it now, but wat is an adequate size for one? and how do I know when I have enough of these Copepods and Amphipods to house a Mandarin?

 

[EllieSuz]

I'm assuming you mean you keep crushed coral for mechanical filtration. This is a popular method for former freshwater keepers who are used to using gravel in their tanks and under gravel filters. In saltwater setups the crushed coral encourages nitrate production and popular opinion discourages the use of it. I learned the hard way and I'm removing mine a little at a time with each water change. Believe me, it would be easier for you to do it now.

Here's a link to Mandarin keeping:
http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

 

[thegyft07]

no. i meant i keep the cannister for mechanical filtration and removal of excess food and debris. I got the crushed coral and live sand strickly as a substrate that i know will be beneficial. Are you saying that crushed coral is bad? I dont understand. Thanks for the madarin link. Do you think with the setup I have of 55 with 57 lbs of live rock and later more lbs of rock will be sufficient enough for 1 mandarin? i find it hard to believe that that 1 fish could wipe out an entire population of pods in a 55 gallon tank.

 

[thegyft07]

The link was great.... i think I'm gonna make a few piles of rubble for nesting of copes. I think that this should be enough to suffice for 1 mandarin. Do the nest need direct feeding? or will they just be able to thrive in the enclosed places away from heavy current?

 

[EllieSuz]

Yes, crushed coral is bad and you will regret keeping it eventually. Mandarins do not survive in a 55 gallon tank without a mature refugium and many months for the pods to populate. Yes, I'm saying that one fish can and will wipe out a huge population of pods. Now, having said that, there are members on Reef Central who have been successful in getting Mandarins to eat frozen food. This is not usual, but it has been done with frequent daily supplemental feedings. All I ask is that you do further research before you purchase a Mandarin. I know reefers that have watched their Mandarins slowly starve to death and it's not pretty.

 

[Xaphian]

I'm going to agree with EllieSuz on this one. I had one in a 55 gallon with great success. However, SOMETIMES it decided it was ok to eat frozen foods, and I noticed after maybe a week I couldn't see anymore pods, so I had to buy batches of copepods from the lfs. 24 dollars a bag was a hefty sum. I REALLY recommend a refugium or another way to culture pods.

 

[thegyft07]

OKay so... a couple of pod piles will not suffice for this guy? A refugium is out of the question for me. I wasn't planning on adding him for some time. in saying that I mmeant months and months of time like 8 to be exact. Do you all still feel that this is not enough ample time to have a pod population large enough to support a mandarin in a 55 gallon tank with 2 pod piles?

 

[tdp22]

Let me give this a shot.. I also waited about 8 mon. before buying my mandarin. I have (had) tons of pods in my display (55gal.) and tons in my fuge (16gal.) In a matter of days my mandarin had destroyed my population in my display. Now I am scared he is going to starve!! Let me just say, they are CONSTANT/PICKY eaters. Give it lots of thought.

 

[thegyft07]

okay, well looks like this fish is too much of a hassle for me since i'm a newbie. Any other suggestions of one just a docil and pretty, but not as hard to care for?