Help me identify these tiny white bugs in my SW tank

[jaythenoob]

So this is my first SW tank ( had fresh water before ) it’s been about 3 weeks since I set it up and almost 1 week with clowns and I’ve seen afew different “hitch hikers

a snail, something that looked like a really clear small shrimp that my clown noticed and ate, a small worm?, and now there are hundreds of these little tinywhite bugs on my glass. They walk around and stuff on the glass. What are they ( can’t get a pic of them they are too small for my camera to pic up)

 

[piranhaman00]

They are "pods". Amphipods, isopods ect. Good for your tank! Means you are doing something right.

 

[jaythenoob]

They are "pods". Amphipods, isopods ect. Good for your tank! Means you are doing something right.

awesome!lol if only I completely knew what I was doing haha it is reassuring tho.

I’m still trying to figure out if I should use my Seachem marine buffer on my water change water or not. ( haven’t done one yet LFS said tank needs to wait 2-3 more weeks to establish itself to do a water change)

I used the Seachem to kick start my tank to 8.0 ph but I feel like if I add un buffered water to my tank it will just “dilute” my ph kinda like what would happen to my salinity if I were to put straight water in it.

people are telling me not to use a buffer but they aren’t telling me WHAT to use. I watched a video on how CO2 and alk affects ph but due to corona I’m basically living off ramen right and I cant really dose Alk.

my ph in my tank has been pretty stable tho.

 

[piranhaman00]

awesome!lol if only I completely knew what I was doing haha it is reassuring tho.

I’m still trying to figure out if I should use my Seachem marine buffer on my water change water or not. ( haven’t done one yet LFS said tank needs to wait 2-3 more weeks to establish itself to do a water change)

I used the Seachem to kick start my tank to 8.0 ph but I feel like if I add un buffered water to my tank it will just “dilute” my ph kinda like what would happen to my salinity if I were to put straight water in it.

people are telling me not to use a buffer but they aren’t telling me WHAT to use. I watched a video on how CO2 and alk affects ph but due to corona I’m basically living off ramen right and I cant really dose Alk.

my ph in my tank has been pretty stable tho.

Buffers are (almost) always a very bad idea. Adding salt water to your tank will not dilute pH. The pH of new mix saltwater will be around 8.0-8.4. Buffers should basically never be used, you dont need to add anything to affect pH, let it be.

 

[jaythenoob]

Buffers are (almost) always a very bad idea. Adding salt water to your tank will not dilute pH. The pH of new mix saltwater will be around 8.0-8.4. Buffers should basically never be used, you dont need to add anything to affect pH, let it be.

ah I see so there’s no need to add any buffer to mixed SW? The salt I use will have the materials needed to get the ph where it needs to be.

So basically having a ph buffer isn’t necessary. dang it lol

 

[piranhaman00]

ah I see so there’s no need to add any buffer to mixed SW? The salt I use will have the materials needed to get the ph where it needs to be.

So basically having a ph buffer isn’t necessary. dang it lol

Yes and yes. Keep asking questions, best way to learn. LFS are unfortunately usually bad places to get information.

 

[jaythenoob]

Yes and yes. Keep asking questions, best way to learn. LFS are unfortunately usually bad places to get information.

I see that now. They were also telling me to buffer my top of water as well. But a lot of people on here were telling me not too. I did my first top off without the buffer the other day and no change happened with my ph.

I was so worried that my ph would change dramatically from adding .5gal to top off without the buffer and nothing happened my tank was still at 7.8-8.0. So glad I found this forum lol

 

[homer1475]

You mention buffering your top off water....

You are topping off with fresh water, and not salt, right? When salt water evaporates, it leaves the salt behind, so for topping off, you should be using fresh water.