White little bugs
 

Hello all,

I have just finished cycling my tank and have a clean up crew in there(snails, hermits and a cleaner shrimp) and I have recently noticed a whole bunch of little white creatures roaming around. They almost look like lice. Should I be worried or are they in every tank? Seem to be more every day.

your fish will love you for them and they wont last long free fish food

+1

Copepods are a very good thing!

I don't have any fish yet. Still waiting, my water tests fine and everything else is good but I don't have very much coarline algea yet, so i am scared to put fish in.

You don't need coralline algae to have fish. Some people actually don't like it. It will come over time with lighting and certain water parameters. Good to see you being patient.

how long has it been cycleing for now?

It has been cycling for about 2.5mths now, maybe a bit longer.

If your water is testing "fine" as you say it is. It would probably be safe to start slowely adding some livestock and CUC. Now the fun begins deciding what kind of habitat your going to create and whats compatible with what.

Coraline algea is a PITA as it can consumes a tonne of calcium and if you start getting into any stoney coral you will be dosing for the health of the pretty red crusty stuff. Lol.

Sounds like your ready to dive in, take the leap. Remember go slow and add small amounts. You need to let your tank adjust to the bioload change. Slow and steady wins the race here.

Good luck!

And watch out for jumpers.

Those would be Copepods and Amphipods! My fish love them and they are a good sign. They will eat extra food and a bunch of other stuff.

Hope this Helps
SeaSerpant

Thanks everyone, maybe next week I will go shopping for a fish or two, maybe even some soft coral.