Marine Snow

Dlhirst · 12/31/2009, 11:30 AM

I read a post somewhere that talked about "marine snow" being a food source for something. It didn't click in my brain until I noticed all the white specks floating throughout my water column. Are these copepods? Or does marine snow refer to something else?

I would show a pic, but they don't reproduce well - always moving, and hidden by the glare on the tank, and I am still learning "marine photography"!

rbnice1 · 12/31/2009, 11:34 AM

Marine snow is food for sps. Also some of them like the new Warner Marine ultimate snow has a clarifying agent in it to make the water clearer after use.

Either way unless you have a fully stocked SPS tank I wouldn't recommend using it.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/31/2009, 11:36 AM

As to what's in your tank, do they appear to be alive or just debris floating in the tank?

Dlhirst · 12/31/2009, 11:46 AM

Sisterlimonpot, that's tough to say... Sometimes, I think they are microscopic bubbles - cuz they tend to want to float to the surface. They don't really look round, like bubbles, but that might just be how the glare from the lights is reflecting off of them? Other times, I think they are just debris... but they don't always seem to move with (where I think) the current (goes).
Occasionally, I see the chromis "bite" them, but I am not convinced they are satisfied with that decision.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/31/2009, 12:02 PM

Huh, I wouldn't think they are live pods swimming around (they tend to stick to the substrate) Maybe a combination of micro bubbles and debris, although not a big deal it is possible to get rid of them. Micro bubbles can be fixed by bubble traps in the sump or relocating power heads. As for debris: a mechanical filter like a filter sock can remove the majority of it from the water column.

Michael · 12/31/2009, 12:36 PM

i use reef snow, pretty good stuff imo, the floating white stuff wont be around long, and out of interest how much are you using?

12/31/2009, 11:30 AM	#1
Dlhirst Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 112	Marine Snow I read a post somewhere that talked about "marine snow" being a food source for something. It didn't click in my brain until I noticed all the white specks floating throughout my water column. Are these copepods? Or does marine snow refer to something else? I would show a pic, but they don't reproduce well - always moving, and hidden by the glare on the tank, and I am still learning "marine photography"! __________________ My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell off all my stuff for the prices I told her I paid for them! Current Tank Info: 66 gal Red Sea Max, 2 ocellaris, Yellow Tang, Flame Wrasse, Coral Beuty, CuC totalling a dozen or so varmints. And some Live Rock covered in 'shrooms, zoas, palys, and more.

12/31/2009, 11:36 AM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	As to what's in your tank, do they appear to be alive or just debris floating in the tank? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/31/2009, 11:46 AM	#4
Dlhirst Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 112	Sisterlimonpot, that's tough to say... Sometimes, I think they are microscopic bubbles - cuz they tend to want to float to the surface. They don't really look round, like bubbles, but that might just be how the glare from the lights is reflecting off of them? Other times, I think they are just debris... but they don't always seem to move with (where I think) the current (goes). Occasionally, I see the chromis "bite" them, but I am not convinced they are satisfied with that decision. __________________ My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell off all my stuff for the prices I told her I paid for them! Current Tank Info: 66 gal Red Sea Max, 2 ocellaris, Yellow Tang, Flame Wrasse, Coral Beuty, CuC totalling a dozen or so varmints. And some Live Rock covered in 'shrooms, zoas, palys, and more.

12/31/2009, 12:02 PM	#5
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Huh, I wouldn't think they are live pods swimming around (they tend to stick to the substrate) Maybe a combination of micro bubbles and debris, although not a big deal it is possible to get rid of them. Micro bubbles can be fixed by bubble traps in the sump or relocating power heads. As for debris: a mechanical filter like a filter sock can remove the majority of it from the water column. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/31/2009, 12:36 PM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i use reef snow, pretty good stuff imo, the floating white stuff wont be around long, and out of interest how much are you using? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/31/2009, 11:34 AM	#2
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	Marine snow is food for sps. Also some of them like the new Warner Marine ultimate snow has a clarifying agent in it to make the water clearer after use. Either way unless you have a fully stocked SPS tank I wouldn't recommend using it.