Little white creatures moving around on glass

[Jake91]

Hi everyone
Just after some identification. I went to clean my glass today and I noticed there’s hundreds of little white creatures moving around all over my glass. I’ve got 2 turbo snails and a Strombo but they don’t seem to look like snail larvae ? When I cleaned the glass they were pushed into my water column and now my tank looks like it’s full of detritus but I think it’s the little creatures. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KrisReef]

A picture of these little white creatures might help eliminate some of the possibilities?

 

[Kmst80]

Most likely copepods. Food for the reef.

 

[Jake91]

I was thinking pods but my tank is only about 3 months old and I used dry rock to cycle the tank and have not added and pods. I have used ocean water though

 

[KrisReef]

Sweet hitchiker pods!

 

[Jake91]

Awesome!!! Thanks heaps guys appreciate it. If I clean my glass will it kill them?

 

[KrisReef]

Don't use windex and you should be fine.

 

[MaxTremors]

Awesome!!! Thanks heaps guys appreciate it. If I clean my glass will it kill them?

The number on your glass is but a small fraction of the number on your rock.

 

[Miami Reef]

Don't use windex and you should be fine.

Windex? Why would using windex on the outside cause the copepods to die? Glass isn’t porous.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Windex? Why would using windex on the outside cause the copepods to die? Glass isn’t porous.

Its not what you use its how you use it

 

[Jake91]

The only thing I use on the outside of the glass is some water mixed with a bit of vinegar. I spray it on the cloth away from the tank because I’m to paranoid when it comes to that kinda thing.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

The only thing I use on the outside of the glass is some water mixed with a bit of vinegar. I spray it on the cloth away from the tank because I’m to paranoid when it comes to that kinda thing.

I use glass wax it stinks but..

 

[KrisReef]

The only thing I use on the outside of the glass is some water mixed with a bit of vinegar. I spray it on the cloth away from the tank because I’m to paranoid when it comes to that kinda thing.

Perfect!
I just got new windows at home and was told not to use windex as it eats up the seals around the window.

 

[Jake91]

is there anything I gotta dose the tank with to keep them fed and healthy?

 

[Jake91]

Perfect!
I just got new windows at home and was told not to use windex as it eats up the seals around the window.

Ahhhh right would never have thought of that. Makes sense though thanks for the heads up!

 

[The Kings Chalice]

Windex? Why would using windex on the outside cause the copepods to die? Glass isn’t porous.

Wow!!….

 

[MaxTremors]

Windex? Why would using windex on the outside cause the copepods to die? Glass isn’t porous.

I know this is kind of old, but using windex, even on the outside of the tank is not a good idea because it contains ammonia. You could spray it on a rag (preferable in a different room or outside), and then clean the glass, but even then I personally wouldn’t risk it. They do sell an ammonia-free version, but I have no idea if it’s reef safe.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hi everyone
Just after some identification. I went to clean my glass today and I noticed there’s hundreds of little white creatures moving around all over my glass. I’ve got 2 turbo snails and a Strombo but they don’t seem to look like snail larvae ? When I cleaned the glass they were pushed into my water column and now my tank looks like it’s full of detritus but I think it’s the little creatures. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

copepods

Windex? Why would using windex on the outside cause the copepods to die? Glass isn’t porous.

Using chemicals on your glass can damage silicon, and also has a risk (albiet fairly low) of getting into aquariums (aerosols, cleaning tool dipping into water on accident, etc)

 

[SlugSnorter]

Awesome!!! Thanks heaps guys appreciate it. If I clean my glass will it kill them?

no, they will jump off into the water. There are far more in the rocks and sand. They likely came in on a snail shell or something.