copepod confusion

[ThatsDeep!]

Our 55 gal tank is getting better all the time [knock on wood]. I got some pods from algae barn as we now have 2 tiny [mandarin and target dragonette/goby] and the small 6 line which I read will eat some pods as well. I believe that we got a good start by putting them in the fuge [ off for 2 hrs] per directions and mandarin actually looks a bit fat and had even before the pod addition. We have a lot of live rock, macro in display and in fuge. Got the offending tomato clown out and the tank is peaceful. Got one new fish - a tail spot blennie and he is doing fine all one inch of him.

Thing is, Kip would like to add a tiger cucumber [?] that is supposed to clean sand - a small one. Also a blue sea hare which are supposed to eat a bit less than a regular one.

Here is the thing: Now we sit thinking - will the cucumber eat/kill the pods? Will the sea hare compete for them? and even water change - if we dig into that sand aren't we going to deplete the pods we are trying to insure in the tank for fish? If we pull out some of the fuge algae and rinse in saltwater - are we undoing what we are doing?

Oofta! I plan to supplement with algae barn ocean majick but how many is enough? What kind ? Is poseidens feast enough types of pods?

any help, links or chuckles welcome [rolling my eyes] It IS always something

Thanks all.

 

[zombie]

Two mandarins and a six line is pushing it for a well established tank over 150 gallons let alone a 55. Do the mandarins eat frozen and pellets regularly? If so, you should be okay supplementing 1000 pods every month or two. If they only eat live, you will need to do it every 2 weeks. Since this can get real pricy, you can cultivate your own, which I would recommend. I recently posted about it and the process is all over the internet. The cake pan method is the easiest and most effective IME.

 

[ThatsDeep!]

Two mandarins and a six line is pushing it for a well established tank over 150 gallons let alone a 55. Do the mandarins eat frozen and pellets regularly? If so, you should be okay supplementing 1000 pods every month or two. If they only eat live, you will need to do it every 2 weeks. Since this can get real pricy, you can cultivate your own, which I would recommend. I recently posted about it and the process is all over the internet. The cake pan method is the easiest and most effective IME.

Thanks for the info zombie - I do remember your cake pan method and will look at that again.

 

[zombie]

I forgot to respond to the other part of the question.

The cuc is a detrivore so it will only eat dead pods. However, a very large tank is needed to sustaon them long term unless you feed the living heck out of your tank. You would probably be better off getting 10-20 nassarus snails to mix up you sandbed and clean up detritus.

I would also stay away from a sea hare as it will mow down your algae very quick and run out of food. You are probably better off using a few turbo snails and trochus to keep the algae under control and find the source of the algae and stop that (source water, overfeeding, poor skimming, and inadequate water change schedule are the most likely culprets)

 

[ThatsDeep!]

Bump - wonder if anyone else has more than one pod eater in tank and your approach to pod keeping...

Thanks.

 

[Munch]

You've basically have two options, raise enough in your tank/sump to satisfy your pod eaters needs or supplement.

I have a 75, and my Wrasse depleated it pretty quickly.

 

[ThatsDeep!]

You've basically have two options, raise enough in your tank/sump to satisfy your pod eaters needs or supplement.

I have a 75, and my Wrasse depleated it pretty quickly.

Thanks Munch. I understand. Right now we are fortunate in that our 6 line is about 1.5 inches. Target goby is tiny and does eat mysis too. Mandarin is small but growing well. I have been looking at all the different ways to grow my own pods and think that is my best bet.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[jahmic]

Bump - wonder if anyone else has more than one pod eater in tank and your approach to pod keeping...

Thanks.

I have 2 halichoeres wrasses in my system that forage for pods all day. 85gal display with a 20 gal sump...about 10 gallons dedicated to a refugium there. I supplement with pods every 3-6 months. I generally can keep their population high enough where I see pods all over the sides of the display tank throughout the day.

You can probably supplement less frequently if you keep a refugium and dose the tank with live phytoplankton. Algaebarn can help you there as well. To be honest, I only have to supplement the tank every 3-6 months because I usually dose phyto for a month or 2, forget to buy more (or get lazy), then watch their population deplete over the course of 4-6 weeks. Dosing phyto should allow you to keep enough in your sump/fuge to support the tank without needing to buy more pods or keep a separate culture going. Phyto culture is probably easier than a pod culture so I'd choose phyto if I decided to "farm" anything for the tank.

 

[ThatsDeep!]

I have 2 halichoeres wrasses in my system that forage for pods all day. 85gal display with a 20 gal sump...about 10 gallons dedicated to a refugium there. I supplement with pods every 3-6 months. I generally can keep their population high enough where I see pods all over the sides of the display tank throughout the day.

You can probably supplement less frequently if you keep a refugium and does the tank with live phytoplankton. Algaebarn can help you there as well. To be honest, I only have to supplement the tank every 3-6 months because I usually dose phyto for a month or 2, forget to buy more (or get lazy), then watch their population deplete over the course of 4-6 weeks. Dosing phyto should allow you to keep enough in your sump/fuge to support the tank without needing to buy more pods or keep a separate culture going. Phyto culture is probably easier than a pod culture so I'd choose phyto if I decided to "farm" anything for the tank.

Thanks jahmic - one question, how big are your wrasses right now? And as to Algae Barn - I am so glad that they were recommended here - local company and I think we got a start on a good population. LOL as to getting lazy! I think I need to be able to see them in the display as well as I am one of those out of sight out of mind people - ha! That being said, right now we are watching them like a hawk as well as the behavior of the pod feeders when they are grazing.

Really appreciate your comments!

 

[jahmic]

My yellow coris wrasse is about 4-5 inches long. The red-lined wrasse is 3-4 inches long.