Things I have discovered . . .

[Cat]

Firstly, when I clean my glass with my magnetic cleaner I get bits float up to the surface mainly from where I have disturbed brown alge stuff from the gravel, so I end up with brown bits of scum covering the surface and I dont know how to get rid of it. I have tried sticking a bit of filter wool on the surface to catch it but it dosent really work and after a day or so of that hanging out my lid it starts to smell. Any ideas.

Also I have noticed in one little area of the tank some weird little critters swimming around. they wern't there before and they stay in this one small area and look just like fish fry even though I dont have any fish yet. What are they?

Thanks

[3lawssafe]

Your first issue is called cyano. It comes in velvet red, brown and every color inbetween those. It gets air bubbles trapped inside and when you clean it disturbs it and pieces break off and float to the surface. They usually end up in a corner or less turbulent part of the tank. The only way to remove that is manually. Use your hands or a net and scoop it out. A turkey baster works well too.

The little "bugs" you are seeing are most likely pods. They are grey, 1/4" in size and smaller. They move quickly and don't usually come out during the day as they are hunted by fish and other tank predators. They are good and also a basis for a good reef. AKA - Natural Food :)