Literally microscopic worms

[nessyyy]

Hi guys!

I bought a hand microscope for funsies and checked out what I might find in the sand. To my shock there are tonnes of tiny worms all around there. Pics below. Wondering what the heck they are and if they're harmful or not. The "rocks" are actually my fine sand substrate for scale. Thanks in advance for your help Edit; This is the upper part of the substrate btw, the lower part is worm free.

 

[TheOne]

Note to self, Never buy a microscope for funsies. Now I'm afraid to stick my hand back in my tank. Thanks

 

[nessyyy]

Note to self, Never buy a microscope for funsies. Now I'm afraid to stick my hand back in my tank. Thanks

Hahahaha, there's a lot of interesting stuff! Looked at some copepods and snail poop

 

[taricha]

In my tank, critters like that are large reddish ciliates.

 

[nessyyy]

In my tank, critters like that are large reddish ciliates.

I see, I guess I'd have to figure out what kind if they're harmful or not yeah?

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Interesting, would love an ID on these guys.

 

[KJ]

Google Search

 

[Mrs. Herbert]

Awesome and cool at the same time. I am going to go buy a microscope.

 

[nessyyy]

Google Search

Hummm possibly? These seem much smaller than those though, can't see them with the naked eye no matter how hard I look. Thanks for the suggestion though, will look into it more!

 

[nessyyy]

Awesome and cool at the same time. I am going to go buy a microscope.

Spent a good 3 hours just pressing it against the glass and gawking at everything lol. I used a cheap endoscope/bioscope that I found on Amazon that can connect to your phone via wifi or computer via usb

 

[taricha]

I see, I guess I'd have to figure out what kind if they're harmful or not yeah?

No. Cilates like that are harmless. Mostly bacteria eaters.

 

[samnaz]

Spent a good 3 hours just pressing it against the glass and gawking at everything lol. I used a cheap endoscope/bioscope that I found on Amazon that can connect to your phone via wifi or computer via usb

I need this! Link pls?

 

[nessyyy]

No. Cilates like that are harmless. Mostly bacteria eaters.

Thanks a tonne for your help, I feel like this may be it because of the way they move and they are on the live rock as well which I assume has an abundance of bacteria. Puts me a bit at ease

 

[nessyyy]

I need this! Link pls?

This is exactly what I bought, only because of the same day shipping. There are other listings a little cheaper but are really the same thing and same brand. It's good for seeing stuff against the glass and close to the glass. I also got a stand for it so I can use it as a traditional microscope (taking water out and maybe putting a coverslip over) but the pic I took is simply using it against the glass

 

[ReefHomieJon]

Spent a good 3 hours just pressing it against the glass and gawking at everything lol. I used a cheap endoscope/bioscope that I found on Amazon that can connect to your phone via wifi or computer via usb

What a nerrrrrd lol
Let’s see your tank tho!

 

[stacksoner]

I went deep down the microscope rabbit hole and started the same way as you. There were so many moving microorganisms at 100x magnification that it began to turn me off from the hobby

 

[nessyyy]

What a nerrrrrd lol
Let’s see your tank tho!

Lol guilty
I'm in the process of making a thread! But since you asked Not the most inspiring aquascape lol

Will hopefully have 2 little native Aussie seahorses (captive bred ofc) in here two weeks later! Atm just some peppermint shrimp and a few snails.

 

[nessyyy]

I went deep down the microscope rabbit hole and started the same way as you. There were so many moving microorganisms at 100x magnification that it began to turn me off from the hobby

It is kinda creepy, but amazing to see at the same time! Who knew those things were down there partying in the substrate?

 

[samnaz]

Seeing life under a microscope is life changing if you ask me. It opens a whole new world. It’s one thing to read and learn about microorganisms but to see them up close moving alive...it changes your perspective. Did for me anyway.

 

[Hamada]

This is exactly what I bought, only because of the same day shipping. There are other listings a little cheaper but are really the same thing and same brand. It's good for seeing stuff against the glass and close to the glass. I also got a stand for it so I can use it as a traditional microscope (taking water out and maybe putting a coverslip over) but the pic I took is simply using it against the glass

Im buying this now