Help with my 36 gallon

[0000]

a have a fully stocked, 36 gallon bowfront, with lots of live rock,

established tank. now finally...


There is a bunch of small looking shrimp in my swimming around and walking, they appeared out of nowhere?

what are they called are they good for the tank?


I am also using a fluval 205 canister filter.


Do I have to clean the filter every 2 weeks so nitrates dont build up in there?


I am cleaning it every 1.5 months now for about a year.


please help

 

[neilanh]

Sound like Copepods most likely based on your description. If they are, they're good for your tank.

Are you having nitrAte problems? If your nitrAte is running high, I'd consider upping your maintenance, but if all is well then things are likely ok.

 

[mr_X]

mysid shrimp are the ones you see swimming that look like tiny, colorless shrimp. amphipods are the little hunchback looking shrimp that walk on the substrate and rock, copepods are the tiniest of the three, about the size of a flea. those you can see if you hold a flashlight to the tank at night with the lights off.