Little clear moving things...

[DizziDezi2]

The lfs gave me some 'bugs' to start in my tank for a mandarin when i get one- also in the bag was two little clear things that move around- it looks like they have little 'arms'- i didnt know if htey were good or bad -but I put them in wiht the bugs. The word that comes to my mind when i look at them is 'amoeba.' Anyone know it could be? I would post a pic- but I cnat find the little guys.

[johnmackay70]

not sure what they are nut, probably some sort of harmless 'pod'.

Before you get a mandarin you might want to tell us a little about your setup. How big is your tank, do you have live rock, are you running a refugium what other inhabitants are in the tank?

Without the right setup mandarins tend to starve to death in peoples systems. Let us know and maybe we can help you make the right decision here.

[DizziDezi2]

I'm not getting a mandarin right now- but my rock was pretty much dead when I got it- so I added new live rock and a bag full of bugs to get them started. Since I added the little clear things- I have had an outbreak of ick and a fish died. Frustrating...I hope its not them- everything was perfect b4 them. Anyway- I'm finally- after a month or so putting up my new lights- and probably will be adding a sump http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html
and would like to know what you all think of this design- hopefully I'll be getting a protein skimmer friday. Please let me know what you think- I'm gonna try to put a pic of the amoeba up bc I really get a feeling hes not a good addition.

[johnmackay70]

Unless your system is an 40+ gallon system with an established refugium you may be in for problems with a mandarin down the road. Most mandarins will only eat 'pods' and will decimate pod populations very quickly in a setup less than what I just described. Once the pod population is gone, the mandarin will starve.
There are some people who have been lucky enough to get a mandarin to accept prepared foods but this is not common.

[gman0526]

You might wanna try this article see if you could ID what you're looking at in your tank.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rs/index.htm

What size is the tank? Also , depending on the other tank inhabitants you might have other pod eaters in your tank, so take this into consideration when you do decide about the mandarin. The sump is a great idea can never have too much water volume always helps.

I can see you're taking your time planning your tank, so congrats and I'm sure taht if you keep doing what you're doing you'll end up with a beautiful and healthy tank. Keep us posted.

[DizziDezi2]

It was none of those- I really wish I could find him so I could post it- Oddest looking little thing I have ever seen. Do you think that sump is a good plan? I have seen many designs for them and chose that one- I think it will be the easiest to make- I'll put up some pics when I'm done iwht it all.

[DizziDezi2]

Oh- and how do the little creatures from the sump get into the display tank without getting chopped up by the return pump?

[gman0526]

They're so small that the chance of them getting "chopped up" by the pump are minimal.

[BoldAsBrass]

tiny bristol worms perhaps?