'Things' living in my fuge

[thbrewst]

I am relatively new to all of this and definitely new to having a refugium. I recently got everyhting set-up. Last night I was sitting there admiring the greenery in the refugium and I saw some bugs/small shrimp/small somthing, crawling around in the plants.

Anyway, is there supposed to be stuff living in there that I did not put there? Any thoughts on what it is? I tried to take some pics but they are too fast and too small.

 

[merkywater]

No problems those are the good critters. They will breed like rabbits and provide a natural food for your fish and corals in the long run.

 

[snowmansnow]

pods.. they are everywhere in most tanks

good stuff .. as stated above.. also a clue that things are good enough in your tank for them to survive. keep up the observation! thats one of the fun parts of the hobby

b

 

[thbrewst]

merkywater;565178 wrote: No problems those are the good critters. They will breed like rabbits and provide a natural food for your fish and corals in the long run.

That is what I was hoping to hear!! What are they?

 

[thbrewst]

SnowManSnow;565184 wrote: pods.. they are everywhere in most tanks

good stuff .. as stated above.. also a clue that things are good enough in your tank for them to survive. keep up the observation! thats one of the fun parts of the hobby

b

Pods, right. I had always seen that, but incorrectly assumed that Pods were actually a part of the plant that was getting pushed into the tank. Did not realize that it was animals.

 

[brianjfinn]

Copepods and amphipods to be more specific.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod</a>
[IMG]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipoda">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphipoda</a>

They're fun little creatures that come in on live rock that help consume uneaten food and detritus. They also provide a beneficial source of food for corals and fish.