Are these a type of Pod?

[hummer]

I just noticed them all over my tank and they are moving around. Good/Bad?

[marie]

I really can't tell from the pic, it just looks like sand to me but here are a couple of site that has hitchhiker identification.

Most of the things you find on your rock will be at least reefsafe if not beneficial

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm


http://www.melevsreef.com/id/

[hummer]

Ya, they are hard to see. But what you see in that picture is exactly what is on the glass. Tiny (sand size) bugs that are on the glass. When I take a closer look, I can see them move around.
Thanks for the links. Unfortunately I didn't find any that match mine. Closest is maybe the copepods. But again, mine are really tiny.

[Myka]

Ya, those are a type of pod. They start out realy tiny. I think they are baby pods. It seems new tanks havew a flourish of these little "moving grains of sand". They grow up.

[justinl]

Originally Posted by Myka

Ya, those are a type of pod. They start out realy tiny. I think they are baby pods. It seems new tanks havew a flourish of these little "moving grains of sand". They grow up.

not completely true. as far as pods go, the copepods we see in our tanks never really exceed a millimeter. the larger pods are adult amphipods or isopods. basic rule of thumb is that IF it is a pod and you have to squint to make out features, it's a copepod. point is, they're quite different; not just different life stages.

that said, there are a LOT of "tiny white things." a better pic or a good description might help.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by justinl

not completely true. as far as pods go, the copepods we see in our tanks never really exceed a millimeter. the larger pods are adult amphipods or isopods. basic rule of thumb is that IF it is a pod and you have to squint to make out features, it's a copepod. point is, they're quite different; not just different life stages.

that said, there are a LOT of "tiny white things." a better pic or a good description might help.

So...what size do you think amphi/isopods are when they hatch? The word "POD" describes isopods, amphipods, copepods, and a million other little critters that are similar in structure. Yes, some of those teeny guys are babies, some are copepods. In the end...those details don't matter. They are pods...maybe some kinds, maybe all kinds, maybe babies, maybe adults. It doesn't matter...