New tank - cycling questions (pics)

fishrule · 05/22/2010, 11:33 PM

I am starting a new tank and am in the process of cycling it. I have purchased some live rock from an aquatics store to put in so far. I dont have any fish in it yet at all. So I'm assuming these are things that are developing as a part of the new tank process. Maybe someone can help clarify.

First picture is of a whole bunch of "star" looking things. They are all very tiny. The pictures were takin with my phone so bare with me. These things are very very small. Wondering what these are? They are not nice to look at in my display I'm wondering if they are surviving only because I have nothing in there yet to eat them? Thoughts?

Second picture is of an even smaller critter. They look more like a generic little insect that just walk on the glass. Is all this from the live rock? Is it typical/unavoidable?

bluestarfish · 05/22/2010, 11:35 PM

welcome to the world of lr hitchhikers. sometimes you get a good surprise and sometimes not.

Vicarious Cynic · 05/22/2010, 11:37 PM

I have a new tank myself - cycling with good live rock for about two weeks. I have a ton of those too - they are copepods and yes, they come with the live rock.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod

fishrule · 05/22/2010, 11:40 PM

So, I'm assuming the clean up crew will take care of alot of this? Any other cures?

fishrule · 05/23/2010, 12:10 AM

Was just looking in the tank again, and spotted something else!

It is coming out of the bottom of a rock and it literaly looks like human hair... so gross. Sever hairs just wiggling around one hair is like 2/3 inches long. Any ideas on that? lol

Slim_jim989 · 05/23/2010, 12:19 AM

Maybe a bristle worm what color are they?

shifty51008 · 05/23/2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishrule

So, I'm assuming the clean up crew will take care of alot of this? Any other cures?

actually you want pods in your tank they are a great food source.

fishrule · 05/23/2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slim_jim989

Maybe a bristle worm what color are they?

It is a dark brown color. Looks exactly like human hair ( i know it sounds gross). It is just creeping out from under a rock and slowly wiggling around. The hairlike limbs are different lengths ranging from 1 to 4 inches.. I can see maybe 6 limbs.

fishrule · 05/23/2010, 10:48 AM

I'll try and get a picture today.

lcs · 05/23/2010, 02:17 PM

The "human hair" look-alike is probably the arms of a brittle star. Also a very good hitchhiker!

The little guys in the first pic are, I think, the medusoid form of hydroids. If they get out of control it's a bad thing, but don't worry about it. I have several small colonies of the adults on my rock and they don't pose a problem yet. When they do I will eradicate them!

You are going to see aaaallll sorts of stuff come and go in your tank over the next several months! All part of the fun!

05/22/2010, 11:33 PM	#1
fishrule Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 66	New tank - cycling questions (pics) I am starting a new tank and am in the process of cycling it. I have purchased some live rock from an aquatics store to put in so far. I dont have any fish in it yet at all. So I'm assuming these are things that are developing as a part of the new tank process. Maybe someone can help clarify. First picture is of a whole bunch of "star" looking things. They are all very tiny. The pictures were takin with my phone so bare with me. These things are very very small. Wondering what these are? They are not nice to look at in my display I'm wondering if they are surviving only because I have nothing in there yet to eat them? Thoughts? Second picture is of an even smaller critter. They look more like a generic little insect that just walk on the glass. Is all this from the live rock? Is it typical/unavoidable?

05/22/2010, 11:35 PM	#2
bluestarfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 227	welcome to the world of lr hitchhikers. sometimes you get a good surprise and sometimes not. __________________ Tanks come and go but the passion is forever.

05/23/2010, 12:19 AM	#6
Slim_jim989 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milford ks Posts: 382	New tank - cycling questions (pics) Maybe a bristle worm what color are they?

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05/22/2010, 11:37 PM	#3
Vicarious Cynic Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 73	I have a new tank myself - cycling with good live rock for about two weeks. I have a ton of those too - they are copepods and yes, they come with the live rock. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod

05/22/2010, 11:40 PM	#4
fishrule Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 66	So, I'm assuming the clean up crew will take care of alot of this? Any other cures?

05/23/2010, 12:10 AM	#5
fishrule Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 66	Was just looking in the tank again, and spotted something else! It is coming out of the bottom of a rock and it literaly looks like human hair... so gross. Sever hairs just wiggling around one hair is like 2/3 inches long. Any ideas on that? lol

05/23/2010, 10:48 AM	#9
fishrule Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 66	I'll try and get a picture today.

05/23/2010, 02:17 PM	#10
lcs It's Spring!!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 1,370	The "human hair" look-alike is probably the arms of a brittle star. Also a very good hitchhiker! The little guys in the first pic are, I think, the medusoid form of hydroids. If they get out of control it's a bad thing, but don't worry about it. I have several small colonies of the adults on my rock and they don't pose a problem yet. When they do I will eradicate them! You are going to see aaaallll sorts of stuff come and go in your tank over the next several months! All part of the fun!