Little microscopic creatures on glass

whoisLP

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So I'm performing my initial cycle on my first tank (32gal), and am about a week and a half in. I looked at my tank last night and I saw a few small, almost microscopic white dots on my glass. While staring at them, I noticed that they were actually moving. So I did some research online and saw mixed posts regarding these. Some said they were just small crustaceans that the fish actually like to snack on, others stated they can be controlled by adding more salt, and some others mentioned that they were small parasites and if not controlled right away, will invade your tank. Not sure who to believe so I'm hoping I can get some feedback from you guys. Thanks.

*Sorry about not having a pic, almost impossible to take a good focused picture with them being so small.
 

wyattray

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They are most likely Copepods and are perfectly fine. A good sign of a healthy tank.
 

fabutahoun

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Are these the one that you have ?
that's a harmless, beneficial munnid isopod

Pods.jpg
 

Apotack

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Most reefers tend to be overly paranoid. You are trying to replicate an ecosystem so there should be many "levels " of life in your system. I'm not a fan of the "sterile" set ups that many are using. I take a more "natural " approach, no rock cooking etc. both methods work, just my preference.
 
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whoisLP

whoisLP

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Most reefers tend to be overly paranoid. You are trying to replicate an ecosystem so there should be many "levels " of life in your system. I'm not a fan of the "sterile" set ups that many are using. I take a more "natural " approach, no rock cooking etc. both methods work, just my preference.

Rock cooking?
 

Apotack

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Not cooking with heat. acid or bleach washes to kill whatever may be in the live rock.
 
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whoisLP

whoisLP

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Are these the one that you have ?
that's a harmless, beneficial munnid isopod

Pods.jpg

So I guess they started off as little tadpole looking things, but now they look more like your pic. Glad they are beneficial though!
 

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