HELP! MIGHT NOT BE BAD BUT I NEED TO KNOW

FindingPonyo

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Guys! I have been really busy and I have forgotten to do a water change for the past 2 weeks. I had green hair algae (pic 1). I looked closer and now there is more stringy, stick like algae (pic 2). I LOOKED EVEN CLOSER AND THERE ARE LITTLE SHRIMP GOING AROUND ON IT (pic 3)
IS THIS BAD?!
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Ding2daDong

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Looks like an isopod, which is normal. I would just do your water change and pull that algae out. Algae likes nutrients like nitrates and phosphates. So try to get those under control and it should go away. There are other factors but try that for now.
 

NewGoby

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You're fine, tank is still new & just getting started, just like Ding2daDong said, just pull the algae out, while getting your tank up & running you'll see much more of these ugly stages, the "little shrimp" are fine, that means that the start up of your tank is going well, as your tank is able to sustain live.
 

Euphyllia97

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Looking at your rocks, your tank is new. Just the ugly stage of a tank cycle. If you see more algae growing, you might consider some cuc. It will eventually go away with water changes and cleaning.
 

Billdogg

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Welcome to the new tank uglies!

What you are going through is totally normal, although I'd try to stay on top of the fine stick like algae. It may be bryopsis, and can be difficult to get rid of. The best option at this stage is to remove the rock, pluck as much as you can, then put several drops of hydrogen peroxide on the spot. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes and then return the rock to your tank, none the worse for the wear.

The "little shrimp" you see are probably Amphipods, not isopods, as others have suggested. Amphipods (and their cousins copepods are a very good part of your new system and will help to provide free live snacks to your fish.

HTH!
 

Dom

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I'd get back on schedule with my water changes. Scrub the rock clear of the hair algae and THEN siphon your water to remove as much as possible.

I wouldn't worry about it beyond that.
 

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