Particles in water (repost)

DamnDamsel · 07/10/2006, 11:08 AM

Had posted this in the newbie forums but got a lack of responce so thinking maybe it was the wrong forum for this question.

Have recently been staring into my tank alot more looking for pods etc. Something that has got my attention is this.

I have what I can only describe as snow always drifting around the tank. Once in awhile I can see a distinct molt of maybe a pod or a tiny shrimp. The particles range anywhere from oolic(sp) sand grain size to much much smaller.

Right away I started thinking about a filter sock but now am wondering if all of this would be food for corals and fish. Its nothing I have added to the tank as I have not added anything and neglected it for some time. Any ideas? Pictures would be a waste as it is all to small for me to photograph.

Makes me think of "reef snow" that I used to add in the past. but that was over a year ago.

Short history of the tank.
180 gallon ,4-6" dsb Lots of LR. Red sea skimmer. HOB overflow. 2400gph mag drive return. 55 gal partitions sump.

Tank was running nicely for about 2 years? Electric company had some trouble and a spike burned out every appliance in my house as well as 20 nieghbors.

Tank has been sorely neglected now for about a year. Circulation was continued as was heating. Getting it back in shape now. Some how most of my critter crews survived/thrived.

I even have a plate coral that still has color and some tenticles are starting to appear after a year with 0 light including 0 sunlight amazing that.

wrott · 07/10/2006, 11:25 AM

Have done large WCs to replenish elements, checked alk/Ca/pH to see if particles could be Ca(CO3)2?

DamnDamsel · 07/10/2006, 11:27 AM

Did one very large water change this weekend plan on another next weekend.

I have not tested for that yet but I can see visually the larger stuff is pod molts etc.

wrott · 07/10/2006, 11:36 AM

OK that's good--the WC should have re-established chemical balance. Can you try a filter sock or floss or sponge for a few days to see if it makes any difference? I would think that the chitin in the exoskeletons of molts would decompose over a week or 2 time period.
Did you see the paticles as soon as you added light back?

DamnDamsel · 07/10/2006, 11:39 AM

I have seen particles since the day I added sand to the tank years ago. Just never looked at them long enough to realise they were molts.

As for a sock I do have a canister to polish up the water. What my question is is SHOULD i get this stuff out of the water. Could it be a form of plankton or the like that may be a food source for corals. (how has the plate stayed alive?)

DamnDamsel · 07/10/2006, 11:41 AM

Thank you for the responce also. Extra minds on the same problem are always better

wrott · 07/10/2006, 11:49 AM

Yes, I remembered and looked back at your original post--sorry.
Good question, it douesn't seem like the particles will harm anything (since you seen them from day one) so yeah they may be beneficial (the plate--that is very surprising--no direct feeding either, whao!!).
I wish I could be more helpful, but it just doesn't seem likely--having no added food or light for one year--but you never know.

07/10/2006, 11:08 AM	#1
DamnDamsel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 176	Particles in water (repost) Had posted this in the newbie forums but got a lack of responce so thinking maybe it was the wrong forum for this question. Have recently been staring into my tank alot more looking for pods etc. Something that has got my attention is this. I have what I can only describe as snow always drifting around the tank. Once in awhile I can see a distinct molt of maybe a pod or a tiny shrimp. The particles range anywhere from oolic(sp) sand grain size to much much smaller. Right away I started thinking about a filter sock but now am wondering if all of this would be food for corals and fish. Its nothing I have added to the tank as I have not added anything and neglected it for some time. Any ideas? Pictures would be a waste as it is all to small for me to photograph. Makes me think of "reef snow" that I used to add in the past. but that was over a year ago. Short history of the tank. 180 gallon ,4-6" dsb Lots of LR. Red sea skimmer. HOB overflow. 2400gph mag drive return. 55 gal partitions sump. Tank was running nicely for about 2 years? Electric company had some trouble and a spike burned out every appliance in my house as well as 20 nieghbors. Tank has been sorely neglected now for about a year. Circulation was continued as was heating. Getting it back in shape now. Some how most of my critter crews survived/thrived. I even have a plate coral that still has color and some tenticles are starting to appear after a year with 0 light including 0 sunlight amazing that.

07/10/2006, 11:25 AM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Have done large WCs to replenish elements, checked alk/Ca/pH to see if particles could be Ca(CO3)2? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

07/10/2006, 11:36 AM	#4
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	OK that's good--the WC should have re-established chemical balance. Can you try a filter sock or floss or sponge for a few days to see if it makes any difference? I would think that the chitin in the exoskeletons of molts would decompose over a week or 2 time period. Did you see the paticles as soon as you added light back? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

07/10/2006, 11:49 AM	#7
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Yes, I remembered and looked back at your original post--sorry. Good question, it douesn't seem like the particles will harm anything (since you seen them from day one) so yeah they may be beneficial (the plate--that is very surprising--no direct feeding either, whao!!). I wish I could be more helpful, but it just doesn't seem likely--having no added food or light for one year--but you never know. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

07/10/2006, 11:27 AM	#3
DamnDamsel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 176	Did one very large water change this weekend plan on another next weekend. I have not tested for that yet but I can see visually the larger stuff is pod molts etc.

07/10/2006, 11:39 AM	#5
DamnDamsel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 176	I have seen particles since the day I added sand to the tank years ago. Just never looked at them long enough to realise they were molts. As for a sock I do have a canister to polish up the water. What my question is is SHOULD i get this stuff out of the water. Could it be a form of plankton or the like that may be a food source for corals. (how has the plate stayed alive?)

07/10/2006, 11:41 AM	#6
DamnDamsel Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 176	Thank you for the responce also. Extra minds on the same problem are always better