do copepods need light?

[moksha]

newbie type question alert!
I have a 75G FOWLR tank, and minimal lighting.Just a standard 48" strip. I see all these posts about copepods, I don't think I have ever seen one in my tank. I also have a 25W UV, maybe that has something to do with it? My readings are great, and in 9 months, only had 1 fish die(i think it was sick from the store). Anyways, does anyone have any advice? I guess I really don't need copepods, at least not yet, but I am curious about that.
Thanks again

 

[avacyn]

I don't think they need much light. I have them living on my filter pads inside my closed filter canister. They seem happy. When I change the pads, they get dumped in the tank and the fish gobble them down.
Avacyn
<STRONG>newbie type question alert!
I have a 75G FOWLR tank, and minimal lighting.Just a standard 48" strip. I see all these posts about copepods, I don't think I have ever seen one in my tank. I also have a 25W UV, maybe that has something to do with it? My readings are great, and in 9 months, only had 1 fish die(i think it was sick from the store). Anyways, does anyone have any advice? I guess I really don't need copepods, at least not yet, but I am curious about that.
Thanks again</STRONG>[/QUOTE]

 

[@knight]

no copepods do not require good lighting, but do need good water quality. they are the sign of a muture, well established tank.
one day you will notice little white thingas on your rock and glass, unless something eats them.

 

[moksha]

Thanks guys, I do have little white things on my glass and rock, but they don't move, I've heard they are a form of feather-duster, kinda spiral shaped with a small opening with something sticking out, i thought they were baby snails at first.
Thanks again

 

[jond]

I have still not figured out the mystery of the white things on the glass and rock and I have thousands. I have however, recently been able to see hundreds of copepods in the tank at night with a flashlight. Also, if I watch the rock in the shaded areas when the lights are on, I can see the little "bugs" everywhere. I think it may be time for a Mandarin.