hitchhikers galore

Beloufish · 01/14/2010, 09:10 PM

Hi,
Seems like a lot of people have these questions today!
I've had my 12gallon nano tank set up with 12.5lbs live rock and sand for about a week. Over this week we've seen lots of bugs, etc., so I just want to get an idea of what is ok.

water parameters: pH 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10

I checked out this website to id these creatures! http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

I've seen 2 digitate hydroids. I removed one with tweezers but can't see the other one now. Should I keep removing them?

While removing the stringy guy, what seemed to look like a centipede (bristleworm I assume) scurried quickly out of a whole and scared me! I've only seen the one, but how many are ok in a small tank?

We have several (but not a lot) of amphipods...i think. they scurry along the rock at night. How many of these are ok?

We have some busy collonista snails that are busy on the rock and glass.

We've also noticed some really bright green spots on the rock just today. algea? Is that ok?

Thanks for your comments!

MandM · 01/14/2010, 09:35 PM

It's ok. Enjoy the diversity. You will see many things "bloom" and then fade as the system balances itself to the food supply.

It's best to remove hydroids, they will sting and spread. Don't worry about bristleworms, you will only get an overload if you overfeed IME. Do wear nitrile or latex gloves, those buggers leave spines in your skin that itch and can get infected. No worries about having too many amphipods or copepods. If there are no fish around to eat them they get rather bold. Once you have a fish or two they will keep hidden.

It would be nice if snails cleaned glass completely instead of just leaving chew marks. At least they are getting part of the job done.

jflick345 · 01/14/2010, 10:49 PM

+1 Remove the hydroids and leave everything else.

terri_ann · 01/15/2010, 12:47 AM

+2 by Sheila....the bright green could be sponge. Enjoy ;-)

lordofthereef · 01/15/2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandM

It would be nice if snails cleaned glass completely instead of just leaving chew marks. At least they are getting part of the job done.

I need to bio-genetically engineer this.

Beloufish · 01/15/2010, 09:16 AM

thanks everyone for your help!

01/14/2010, 09:10 PM	#1
Beloufish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 26	hitchhikers galore Hi, Seems like a lot of people have these questions today! I've had my 12gallon nano tank set up with 12.5lbs live rock and sand for about a week. Over this week we've seen lots of bugs, etc., so I just want to get an idea of what is ok. water parameters: pH 7.8, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10 I checked out this website to id these creatures! http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm I've seen 2 digitate hydroids. I removed one with tweezers but can't see the other one now. Should I keep removing them? While removing the stringy guy, what seemed to look like a centipede (bristleworm I assume) scurried quickly out of a whole and scared me! I've only seen the one, but how many are ok in a small tank? We have several (but not a lot) of amphipods...i think. they scurry along the rock at night. How many of these are ok? We have some busy collonista snails that are busy on the rock and glass. We've also noticed some really bright green spots on the rock just today. algea? Is that ok? Thanks for your comments!

01/14/2010, 09:35 PM	#2
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	It's ok. Enjoy the diversity. You will see many things "bloom" and then fade as the system balances itself to the food supply. It's best to remove hydroids, they will sting and spread. Don't worry about bristleworms, you will only get an overload if you overfeed IME. Do wear nitrile or latex gloves, those buggers leave spines in your skin that itch and can get infected. No worries about having too many amphipods or copepods. If there are no fish around to eat them they get rather bold. Once you have a fish or two they will keep hidden. It would be nice if snails cleaned glass completely instead of just leaving chew marks. At least they are getting part of the job done. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

01/15/2010, 12:47 AM	#4
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	+2 by Sheila....the bright green could be sponge. Enjoy ;-) __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

01/14/2010, 10:49 PM	#3
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	+1 Remove the hydroids and leave everything else.

01/15/2010, 09:16 AM	#6
Beloufish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 26	thanks everyone for your help!