what's micro fauna?

[twflys]

And, what does it look like in the tank? My substrate has developed a kind brownish layer on the bottom of the substrate, but I sift the sand every now and then to break it up, always comes back......... hmmmm

[Satchmo]

micro= teeny

fauna= animal life

 

The brown stuff is either detritus or diatoms (a type of microalgae). Microfauna typically describes pods (tiny crustaceans), worms, itty bitty snails, and other weeny little animals that occupy the lower reaches of the food chain.

[twflys]

cool, thanks.......... got some of that, plenty of copepods and ampipods running around in my tank. :-)