A Couple Of Questions (Critter and Ph)

Hi Guys,

I sort of have two questions so I am putting this one in the general topic forum. My first question is about another creature in my water. You guys helped me identify a bristle worm a few days ago, but I have recently seen a bunch more of another type that I haven't been able to find on the net. I have seen them both at night and during the day. They scurry from hole to hole and have been seen looking in empty snail shells, so I would assume that they are scavengers of some sort. They don't really look like a worm. They are a brownish color and have lots of legs. The back end seems to curl under, although I have seen it straighten out to get into tight places. I don't know if it is another type of bristle worm. I certainly have seen about 20 of them. I took a picture of the biggest I could see and it isn't that great. I will see if I can get a better one. Any help would be appreciated.

The second question regards my Ph. I have been a little concerned about my Ph because it always seems to hover around 8.0 in the day and about 7.9 at night. I don't have any fish (still snails) and would like to find the root cause. My alkalinity is about 10-11 consistently. I have been using a bag of Instant Ocean salt but just ordered a bucket of D-D H2Ocean Magnesium pro plus salt mix. I also just took the tops off of my aquarium and put egg crate on. How long will it take the Ph to rise with the tops off if it is a carbon dioxide problem? If that isn't the problem, could the IO salt be a cause? I am just trying to figure out why mine is so low. Thanks again for any help!!!

Regards,
Ivy

 

copepods

 

and do u have tops on every thing opening a tank up help the ph also u can try a ph buffer

 

Thanks for the replys. I thought copepods were straight and smaller. I have tons of those on my glass but didn't know there were others.

I have an open sump underneath my tank on the stand (with shut doors). I just took the tops off of the aquarium so now everything is now topless. Thanks!!!!

 

isopods are str8 but copepods curl

 

you could also try opening a window in your fish room this will also help in raising your ph , but your ph is fine at 8.0. hopes this helps

 

I'd say that's an Amphipod. Copepods are very small, usually <1.0mm

Amphipods look like pill bugs in your garden.

Isopods look a bit like amphipods and it's hard to tell them apart, but the curl is one way, Iso's tend to be flat.

It's all free fish food. There are very few parasitic isopods, don't freak out about them unless you see one sucking on your fish.

As for pH, it will drop at night w/ lights off. mine dips down to about 7.85 and hovers around 8.05-8.1 during the day. You're fine. Argonite sand and time should buffer the water a bit, but you're in an ok range.

-Doug

 

wow u have a great camera

 

Thanks for the information Doug. I looked up amphipod on the net and that is exactly what I have. I don't remember having so many creatures in my old saltwater aquarium, but that was MANY moons ago. Also, thanks for the advice on the Ph. I don't know why I am stressed out so much over it. I guess because it is the only thing that is a little off right now. Everything I read says between 8.1 and 8.3. It doesn't look like taking the top off has helped much since it is hovering around the same levels. Thanks again to 3reef and everyone on here!!!!

Ivy

 

Ditto and good post