My jars were going great for several months, but suddenly all my copepods and other tiny fauna have disappeared. No more boogie worms, either. The plants are doing well and the algae is kept in check by the small minnow fry in each jar (one or two each, about 1cm long, and they go right back to the pond they came from as soon as they get too big). I’ve done several 25-75% water changes with filtered tap water that sits for 24 hours before use.
I frequently sample the pond for fresh copepods and transplant them into the jars at least once a week, but they all seem to disappear by the next day. I’m sure the minnows eat some of them, but I can’t imagine they’re able to get ALL of them in 12 hours.
The only thing I can think of is maybe it’s getting a bit of sun? They sit on a table about six feet from a large southwest-facing window. The blinds on the window are kept half-closed, so any direct light the jars might get is brief and/or filtered (see photos). However, this has made the plants very leggy, so I’m sure they’re not operating at 100%. It should be noted that the pond all of my jar materials came from is in full unobstructed sun literally all day (northern Midwest US).
Can anyone think of anything else that might be impacting the jars? TIA for any insight!
P.S. The water is cloudy because I just did a water change and kicked up some mud. The water is usually completely clear.
by ForTheLoveOfBugs
3 Comments
It could be the fish. I have three tiny mosquitofish less than an inch long, and those guys eat everything smaller than an adult scud.. I have been bringing baby scuds and daphnia and such for them, and they’re all gone pretty quick. I supplement with fish food.
Ammonia from the tadpole? Not sure.
Thought that was a cocktail first, the dirty puddle