they were indubitably , definitely, undeniably earthworms. Segmented little buggers with a length anywhere from a gnat's eyelash to about 3" stretched out.
They looked like little red wigglers. I found a web site discussing them a little.
http://people.westminstercollege.edu/faculty/tharrison/emigration/segmented_worm.htm
I never saw one until I broke down the tank.
John
>
> From: Sajjad Lateef <sajjadlateef_at_yahoo.com>
> Date: 2004/02/17 Tue PM 12:25:46 CST
> To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
> Subject: NANFA-- Re: busy vermin
>
> Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 14:52:03 -0600
> From: John B <bongi_at_cox-internet.com>
> Subject: Re: NANFA-- busy vermin
>
> Allright, I found the culprit, little red wigglers or at least the
> aquatic equivalent. Neat huh! I like the idea of a very live and
> active substrate. Teh substrate was potting soil with a 1.5-3"
> overlay.
>
> [Sajjad] That's neat.
>
> The gravel is 3-5mm white quartz gravel. I guess the worms got in
> with the plants that I put in there.
>
> [Sajjad] Probably, these are nematodes that were in the soil.
>
> Now is there a way to keep the dirt on
> the bottom and the gravel on the top? I thought about putting a
> relatively thick layer of sphagnum between layers but I doubt that
> would work.
>
> [Sajjad] Polyester batting or old filter pads might be better.
>
>
> =====
> --
> Sajjad Lateef e-mail: sajjad_at_acm.org
> Note: Any e-mail to me with my first name in Subject or
> without a subject line is automatically filtered out
> and discarded as s p a m .
> /
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