Need to add more pods to my tank.....

[asn-naso]

My tank appears to have started the stabilization process. I believe everything that was going to die, is ether dead, or almost dead. My lobo is looking better, the SPS's that survived the disaster have their polyps out, and my zoa's are almost all opened up.

I know I lost a ton of pods, and would think I have some left, but don't see any. Does anyone know where I can get some locally?

 

[kmcmurtry]

If it were me, I would get some chaeto from another member. If you can't get it from a member, get it from your local fish store. So long as it is transported in their water, and from an established tank, you should be able to get quite a few pods from it. I tried tiggerpods from a bottle and they didn't last. The amphipods I got from chaeto from an LFS tank gave me a ton. Beware you will also likely get bristleworm or aptasia or any number of tiny creatures other than pods too. That's why you might seek it from a member who knows what they have. The risk was worth it to me.

 

[asn-naso]

I thought about grabbing some chaeto, but I am nervous, because you can't dip it to make sure all of the nasty hitchhikers are gone, and if it weren't for those hitchhikers, I wouldn't be in the mess I am currently in.

 

[Walter White]

You can get a variety of pod at Aqua imports in boulder they sell packages of chaeto chalk full of pods. Many say tigger pods don't last and I agree that it may take more than one bottle before they really flourish but I still have lots in the little fuge on my jbj 28.

 

[djkms]

Tigriopus (Tigger) copepods do not do well in our reef systems but not for the reason as commonly thought. Most people think it is because they are a coldwater species and only breed at colder temperatures. This is simply not true, I bred them at room temp just fine. The problem with Tigger pods is 2 fold. 1, they are commonly found in tidepools, this environment has very limited preditation due to the salinity changes. Because of this the pods are out in the open most of the time and don't hide as much inbetween rocks, cracks, crevices, etc as other pods do. This makes it much easier for them to be prayed upon. This brings up my second point, tigger pods are one of the larger copepods commonly found in the trade. This makes them much easier to be found by fish and other predators. So basically because they are big and stupid they are eaten faster than they can reproduce in most marine aquariums.

If you want a good copepod to replenish your tank I would suggest tisbe copepods. They are small, breed easily and tend to last in a aquarium environment. As far as getting them locally, I dont know any store who carries them but you can order a bottle from Marine Depot here:
http://www.marinedepot.com/AlgaGen_...ive_Food-AlgaGen_LLC-GV00005-FIFDLILV-vi.html

You can also try contacting thejrc here or on SCMAS (Southern Colorado Marine Aquarium Society). Zooid or ummfish might have some as well.

Do I need to start making my Reefuel again?

 

[Walter White]

I have seen the reefpods AI also although was just in thee the other day and they didn't have any in stock might try calling them.

 

[asn-naso]

Djkms - yes, please do.

Kal - i live too far south for them. Maybe djkms will start culturing them again. If not, i will call around to the denver stores to see if i can find some

 

[asn-naso]

djkms - here is another customer for you: http://denver.craigslist.org/wan/2795359403.html