copepods everywhere so many population control

[Boxed Fish]

I have so many copepods and tiger pods in my system. im sure there's other unidentified crawlers but the only reason I need to clean my glass is due to them fogging it up. how much is to bad or should I leave them continuing to populate?

 

[EnterName]

I doubt copepods are "fogging up" your glass. They are sitting on the glass because they like the biofilm that is growing on it. Usually it's a mix of bacteria, diatoms, and other organisms that populate clean surface area fast.

If you can manage to get decent photos (macro lens could be enough, but microscope would be better), we can see if there is something you have to worry about, but probably it's fine. Munnidae isopods are a bit larger than copepods, maybe that's what you are seeing. I also sometimes see Tanaids on the glass (but rarely as they prefer staying in the substrate)

 

[Saltyreef]

Get yourself a 6 line wrasse.

 

[Boxed Fish]

ill see if I can get something delivered today. whats a good microscope for reef peaking

 

[Boxed Fish]

Get yourself a 6 line wrasse.

I doubt copepods are "fogging up" your glass. They are sitting on the glass because they like the biofilm that is growing on it. Usually it's a mix of bacteria, diatoms, and other organisms that populate clean surface area fast.

If you can manage to get decent photos (macro lens could be enough, but microscope would be better), we can see if there is something you have to worry about, but probably it's fine. Munnidae isopods are a bit larger than copepods, maybe that's what you are seeing. I also sometimes see Tanaids on the glass (but rarely as they prefer staying in the substrate)

would the flipper work or no...never mind

 

[EnterName]

ill see if I can get something delivered today. whats a good microscope for reef peaking

Compound microscope, not a digital one.

• 10× eye pieces,
• 20× objective
• 40× objective
• Diaphragm (without a diaphragm you won't get certain things into focus appropriately)

25× eye pieces are usually trash, ignore scopes with those. They are sold so marketing can claim BS like "2500× magnification). You will never reach beyond 1000× magnification with a light microscope, no matter what they tell you. The wavelengths of visible light won't allow for more detail than roughly 1000× magnification. Everything else is just like "digital zoom".
400× is enough (10x eye pieces ⋅ 40x objective).

There are many cheap options from AmScope, Swift, etc. there is no need to invest a lot of money for most people if you aren't really enthusiastic about it.

(Source: https://microbenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Parts-of-a-microscope.jpeg)
​

 

[Boxed Fish]

Compound microscope, not a digital one.

• 10× eye pieces,
• 20× objective
• 40× objective
• Diaphragm (without a diaphragm you won't get certain things into focus appropriately)

25× eye pieces are usually trash, ignore scopes with those. They are sold so marketing can claim BS like "2500× magnification). You will never reach beyond 1000× magnification with a light microscope, no matter what they tell you. The wavelengths of visible light won't allow for more detail than roughly 1000× magnification. Everything else is just like "digital zoom".
400× is enough (10x eye pieces ⋅ 40x objective).

There are many cheap options from AmScope, Swift, etc. there is no need to invest a lot of money for most people if you aren't really enthusiastic about it.

(Source: https://microbenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Parts-of-a-microscope.jpeg)
​

thanks, good to know

 

[Boxed Fish]

i am more than currious to find out if this is all good or is there some bad in this. the back glass was full of detritus and algae and was picked clean in under 5 days

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

This is a very good thing to have in my opinion, signs you have a healthy tank! I don't see a problem, but if you don't like the look of them maybe look into getting a mandarin. If you have tangs, your tank is probably large enough. I wouldn't suggest a six-line simply because they are a bit aggressive and could become a problem if you ever want to add more fish. An alternative to a six-line are pink-streaked wrasses (Pseudocheilinops ataenia). They are a different genus, but essentially are the same fish but much more docile and better behaved.

I use an OMAX microscope at our facility. Its not a bad brand.

 

[Boxed Fish]

This is a very good thing to have in my opinion, signs you have a healthy tank! I don't see a problem, but if you don't like the look of them maybe look into getting a mandarin. If you have tangs, your tank is probably large enough. I wouldn't suggest a six-line simply because they are a bit aggressive and could become a problem if you ever want to add more fish. An alternative to a six-line are pink-streaked wrasses (Pseudocheilinops ataenia). They are a different genus, but essentially are the same fish but much more docile and better behaved.

I use an OMAX microscope at our facility. Its not a bad brand.

its not a eye sore, wondering more than anything if it could start to be a bother for corals if food source ever run out. I feed pretty heavy but detritus is going much faster than coming. another reason I dont clean the glass. im looking at everything as a food source to another

 

[EnterName]

its not a eye sore, wondering more than anything if it could start to be a bother for corals if food source ever run out. I feed pretty heavy but detritus is going much faster than coming. another reason I dont clean the glass. im looking at everything as a food source to another

Corals eat them if they get the chance. Copepods are even mixed into Reef Energy AB+ if I remember correctly. I really wouldn't worry about it. If you don't like them a predator or reducing food availability by removing detritus are arguably the only reef-safe options.

 

[DmitryB]

Too many copepods is a first world problem! Send them to me!

 

[Boxed Fish]

Too many copepods is a first world problem! Send them to me!

I was thinking about culturing then selling but no need to start a culture as the tank is producing more than enough. gotta figure out how to collect them in one go lol

microscope will tell me which ones I have. hopefully all of them

 

[Saltyreef]

This is a very good thing to have in my opinion, signs you have a healthy tank! I don't see a problem, but if you don't like the look of them maybe look into getting a mandarin. If you have tangs, your tank is probably large enough. I wouldn't suggest a six-line simply because they are a bit aggressive and could become a problem if you ever want to add more fish. An alternative to a six-line are pink-streaked wrasses (Pseudocheilinops ataenia). They are a different genus, but essentially are the same fish but much more docile and better behaved.

I use an OMAX microscope at our facility. Its not a bad brand.

Ive had 4 seperate ones over the years in multiple tanks including the one i have now and they have all been very much model citizens.
My lemon meringue wrasse is another story but they get along with eachother atleast.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

its not a eye sore, wondering more than anything if it could start to be a bother for corals if food source ever run out. I feed pretty heavy but detritus is going much faster than coming. another reason I dont clean the glass. im looking at everything as a food source to another

Very very unlikely to start preying on your corals. Its going to be the other way around

Ive had 4 seperate ones over the years in multiple tanks including the one i have now and they have all been very much model citizens.
My lemon meringue wrasse is another story but they get along with eachother atleast.

It does depend on a bunch of factors. My personal experience and the general consensus seems to be that six-lines can be very aggressive, especially if you are adding new fish as well.