Next question: lack of critters

[bk6662]

Ok last time I set up a reef tank (back in "the day"!) I was pleasantly surprised by the copepods, starfish, feather dusters, and other life that showed up during and towards the end of my tank cycle. This time - not so much. Actually haven't seen a thing, even though this time I used LOTS more live sand, and live rock. My first reef tank was a 6 gallon nano, so I used very little rock and sand, This time I thought I would be amazed by the creatures - but not so much as a worm. (Unless my "aging" eyes just don't see them any more - that's a distinct possibility!)

Should I be concerned? Water chemistry looks good (0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, <10 Nitrate). Or maybe they just have lots of more places to hide? I'm thinking my "live" rock wasn't quite so alive. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!
Bk

 

[wontonflip]

How old is the tank and is it the 60g? What fish do you have in there? In my old 45g, I saw no pods...but when one of my fish died, all of a sudden, all these pods were crawling all over my glass. It was crazy. Apparently, they were all in hiding when there was a fish in there....now that there were were no fish eating them, them came out en masse. Try checking it a couple of hours after lights out, and shine a light in there.

 

[bk6662]

How old is the tank and is it the 60g? What fish do you have in there? In my old 45g, I saw no pods...but when one of my fish died, all of a sudden, all these pods were crawling all over my glass. It was crazy. Apparently, they were all in hiding when there was a fish in there....now that there were were no fish eating them, them came out en masse. Try checking it a couple of hours after lights out, and shine a light in there.

So far I've only added the first few cleanup-crew inhabitants - no fish yet. The tank has been running for less than a month. Also I should add - this time I've seen *much* more die-off on my liverock than I've experienced in the past. I'm guessing the rock wasn't well cared for - but I may be wrong. (no discernable ammonia spikes though).

 

[little_fish]

You might have had a major die off of the microfauna when you cycled, but a few should have survived and given time should repopulate. However, not all live rock comes loaded with hitchhikers, so there might not be anything in there anyways.

 

[wontonflip]

+1 fish....just give it time.

 

[ponyguy]

They have a 30 day turnover period so I'd say wait and watch