A lot of particles in water column

[ZzyzxRiver]

My water column is full of tiny white specks floating in it. At first I thought they were air bubbles because my return occasionally spits them out, but even after leaving my pump turned off for a while, they remain. A few visibly swimming copepods are in the column.

I dose phyto and have had copepods successfully reproduce in my tank. That made the water cloudier when it happened but it cleared up. How often do they reproduce? I feel like this has lasted a few days.

Other considerations: one of my cerith snails laid eggs yesterday, so the 4 of them are mating. Not sure if they broadcast sperm?

I run a biocube 16 with the stock filter, seachem purigen, nitrates at 9. You can’t really see what’s going on with the pictures but here’s a couple anyway (back wall has spirorbid worms):

 

[MnFish1]

Hard to see what you mean in the pictures especially with the blue light. Aside from increased filtration, I'm not sure what else you can do. it could be something spawned, but this should also go away on its own

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Yeah, the pictures are pointless- the floaters are so fine the camera can barely resolve them. Sorry.

 

[MnFish1]

Yeah, the pictures are pointless- the floaters are so fine the camera can barely resolve them. Sorry.

Do you think it could be a bloom of some kind? Did you add anything recently? Parameters ok?

 

[exnisstech]

I always have particulates floating in my tanks. I've never been able achieve crystal clear water so I quit trying. It doesn't hurt anything that I'm aware of and maybe even helps if it's stuff coral can use.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Doubt it’s phyto- I’ve had a bloom before and that causes buildup on my glass-not happening this time

Not bacteria- I skipped feeding yesterday and there was no change today.

I added an astraea snail and emerald crab this weekend, but that was after the situation was already happening.

I only have nitrate and salinity/SG readings and those are all good. I feel like I must be ruling out everything but copepod larvae? Like I said, I saw a handful that were definitely swimming, not floating.

It’s not a nightmare problem, everything is going fine elsewhere in the tank (usual new tank issues aside), but I would sure love some beautiful clear water!

 

[Flyangler33]

I have these same things popping up in my tank, they arent really floating around mainly attached to the back/glass. No clue what they are.

 

[MnFish1]

Doubt it’s phyto- I’ve had a bloom before and that causes buildup on my glass-not happening this time

Great

Not bacteria- I skipped feeding yesterday and there was no change today.

It might not change that quickly.

I added an astraea snail and emerald crab this weekend, but that was after the situation was already happening.

ok - shouldn't be an issue.

I only have nitrate and salinity/SG readings and those are all good. I feel like I must be ruling out everything but copepod larvae? Like I said, I saw a handful that were definitely swimming, not floating.

It’s not a nightmare problem, everything is going fine elsewhere in the tank (usual new tank issues aside), but I would sure love some beautiful clear water!

You should have alkalinity, Ca, as well - but if you think the dots are alive - I would do nothing if it's not bothering you. They will either be eaten or die off

 

[NanoNana]

I have these same things popping up in my tank, they arent really floating around mainly attached to the back/glass. No clue what they are.

Likely snail eggs on glass.

 

[MnFish1]

Likely snail eggs on glass.

Yes possible - likely - IDK

 

[Lavey29]

Have you considered trying @SunnyX mix for super water clarity to remove fine dust particles in the water column? Check his thread on it. Works great.

 

[MnFish1]

Have you considered trying @SunnyX mix for super water clarity to remove fine dust particles in the water column? Check his thread on it. Works great.

Have not heard of it - but it also appears that the 'stuff' in his tank is swimming?

 

[Lavey29]

Have not heard of it - but it also appears that the 'stuff' in his tank is swimming?

Oh then it's just pods

 

[Lavey29]

Have not heard of it - but it also appears that the 'stuff' in his tank is swimming?

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[Flyangler33]

Likely snail eggs on glass.

Would they be singular eggs, the other snail eggs ive seen are usually strung together

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Great

It might not change that quickly.

ok - shouldn't be an issue.

You should have alkalinity, Ca, as well - but if you think the dots are alive - I would do nothing if it's not bothering you. They will either be eaten or die off

I'll be getting Alk and Ca soon; I was intending to keep a softie-only tank but a couple LPS (a duncan and a blasto merletti) slipped in from vendors at a show that told me they were soft!