When do hitchhikers start appearing

[little nano]

How long does it take for hitchhikers to start appearing? I started my first nano reef aquarium about 2 weeks ago. I purchased some cured live rock from a local pet store. My water conditions test fine, so I know the rock is doing its job as a biological filter, however, other than a few amphipods and a little brown and green algae, I'm not seeing anything. Do I need to be more patient?

 

[renogaw]

2 weeks is not very long, but you probably won't get much in a nano

 

[socalnano24]

Welcome to SWF, hitchhikers are not a guarantee on any live rock and vary depending on the source, quality and method of transfer. If the liverock had any dry off you may have lost some. My live rock had maybe 2 astrea stars on it when my tank started, it now has several hundred. So patience does help if your not witnessing much.
Finding amphipods is a great sign. That probably means there are other copepods that you can't see.
You can always seed some additional cured live rock after your cycle has gotten kicked off, in some cases a cycling tank can kill some of its live rock inhabitants. (be aware if you introduce too much more live rock another cycle can insue).

 

[berrya]

I've had my 60gal tank for about a year and a half, and I'm still finding surprises and hitchhikers. They will appear!

 

[t316]

I discovered an 8" serpant star after a year....so keep looking...

 

[mastertech]

I Found a 14 inch ribbon worm after the tank was set up for over 5 yrs!