Adding pods during fallow period.

[SeaJay]

Is it a bad idea in general to add inverts or pods to the tank while it is fallow, or is there a safe way to take advantage of the opportunity to really ramp up the pod population while the tank is free of predators to consume them?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Is it a bad idea in general to add inverts or pods to the tank while it is fallow, or is there a safe way to take advantage of the opportunity to really ramp up the pod population while the tank is free of predators to consume them?

This is a good question.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I do not see any concerns. The only worry I would have is introducing a large invert that may or may not have a ich cyst on it, effectively re-introducting them. Pods typically come from a sterile environment. I'd get those from a trusted source.

For the larger inverts, you can always QT them until they molt

 

[SeaJay]

I'd get those from a trusted source.

I firmly believe the reason my fish are in QT now and my DT is fallow is because I strayed from bottled pods and picked some up from a LFS. My fish were happy, healthy and thriving. Now I'm struggling. I do have a tendency to learn valuable lessons the hard way, so it's par for the course. I lost a diamond goby in the outbreak, then a cinnamon clown to a copper overdose thanks to inexperience and the API "copper test kit". I have a Hanna checker now and am nursing the remaining fish back to health. Just don't want to take that chance again. I'll stick with algae barn and reef nutrition in the future.

For the larger inverts, you can always QT them until they molt

I've got enough crabs and snails to hold down the fort while the fish are on vacation. I'll wait until after fallow to add any larger inverts. I do want a nem though. Be nice to have something to look at in that big lonely tank...

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I firmly believe the reason my fish are in QT now and my DT is fallow is because I strayed from bottled pods and picked some up from a LFS. My fish were happy, healthy and thriving. Now I'm struggling. I do have a tendency to learn valuable lessons the hard way, so it's par for the course. I lost a diamond goby in the outbreak, then a cinnamon clown to a copper overdose thanks to inexperience and the API "copper test kit". I have a Hanna checker now and am nursing the remaining fish back to health. Just don't want to take that chance again. I'll stick with algae barn and reef nutrition in the future.



I've got enough crabs and snails to hold down the fort while the fish are on vacation. I'll wait until after fallow to add any larger inverts. I do want a nem though. Be nice to have something to look at in that big lonely tank...

What are the chances that a pods culture brought over some nasties?

 

[SeaJay]

What are the chances that a pods culture brought over some nasties?

They went in the back and bottled them. Who knows what else was in that tank. I know I won’t do that again without seeing for myself.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

They went in the back and bottled them. Who knows what else was in that tank. I know I won’t do that again without seeing for myself.

That's fair. I think I'll be using an online distributor for my pods when the time comes.