Pods at waterline?

Mariette · Mar 30, 2019

While my DT goes fallow for 76 days, I decided to take advantage of the lack of predators and seed with a blend of copepods and rotifers. I’ve got tons floating at the top of the waterline with no overflow box that would suck them in. They look like floating specs but, upon closer inspection, they’re definitely alive.
Photo taken from below waterline w camera pointed slightly up.

Because I don’t have an overflow, i skim the waterline by hand weekly during water changes. These guys are going to get sucked up for sure. Any clue how I could keep em in the tank? Maybe force them down? The lights don’t seem to deter them at all.

Reefpuck · Mar 30, 2019

Take some sort of fine mesh and snag them while you do your water change. I've never seen them floating at the top... you'd think they'd be hanging on to something.

Mariette · Mar 30, 2019

Reefpuck said:
Take some sort of fine mesh and snag them while you do your water change. I've never seen them floating at the top... you'd think they'd be hanging on to something.

Fine mesh you say? Not a bad idea. Thx

I assume most in the hobby have a an overflow and that’s why pods are usually not seen at the waterline. Would get sucked in very easily.

Reefpuck · Mar 30, 2019

Maybe try turning all pumps off and stirring up the top. Get them off the water surface and see if they swim down.

Hermie · Mar 30, 2019

turkey baste/syringe them off the glass then clean the glass with a papertowel or something. They are only at the top because there's food on the glass (IMO), they could alternatively be oxygen deprived but I doubt it. They won't go back on the glass until an algae film develops again

Acromora · Mar 31, 2019

just my thought process although i could be completely wrong. as with fish when there is a lack of oxygen they are often at the top so as to breathe. maybe this is whats happening to the pods?

Mariette · Mar 31, 2019

Acromora said:
just my thought process although i could be completely wrong. as with fish when there is a lack of oxygen they are often at the top so as to breathe. maybe this is whats happening to the pods?

I had considered that but I’ve got inverts in there and they’re all doing fine. 5 hermit crabs, a pistol shrimp, a cleaner shrimp, 3 snails. But no harm adding an air stone I suppose. Thx

lapin · Mar 31, 2019

Pods dont need a lot of oxygen.
@NotASpammerDude has it right. They are feeding on biofilm.
Net them before skimming the top. Then swish the net back in the tank when done.