Algae reactor for growing pods.

[Jl330]

I know a refugium would probably be better but I'm sumpless in my 55 currently. I've read that pods grow well in algae, not sure how to introduce them or if they're already there, but I'm wanting to grow a big culture of them so I can have a mandarin goby.

I have a month old 55 gallon so I know I'll have to supplement to keep one.

I also don't know how to harvest the pods into the tank when I clean out the reactor.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's always best imo to seed the tank. The bugs will always make their way to the nooks and crannies.

Bug populations are dependent on extra foods and the right type of extra foods as well.

In my sumped tank. I regularly drop a ball of chato directly into the tank if I noting the bug population decreasing. That or one of the favorite rock I have there.

 

[Jl330]

It's always best imo to seed the tank. The bugs will always make their way to the nooks and crannies.

Bug populations are dependent on extra foods and the right type of extra foods as well.

In my sumped tank. I regularly drop a ball of chato directly into the tank if I noting the bug population decreasing. That or one of the favorite rock I have there.

how would I go about seading the tank?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just put them in the DT after lights out.

I have been using the pods from aquarium depot. Free shipping and usually $20 or so. I like them because I've always gotten copepods , amphipods and isopods.
It's a myth that Mandy's only eat copepods btw.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Have you considered a hob refugium?

 

[Justin Swinney]

I have an hob fuge on my nano tank I poured some pods in I got from algae barn and I feed the tank phyto 3-4 times a week so now pods are taking over

 

[Jl330]

Have you considered a hob refugium?

I have, as well as a separate fuge entirely, just not sure how to handle water transfer.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Water transfer?

The hob generally come with an in tank pump to send it into the fuge. There's a lip that puts the water back into the tank.

Pretty pricey new. I've found them used quite a bit.
Example.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/390488...7290-0%26rvr_id%3D1307386212620&ul_noapp=true

 

[Jl330]

Water transfer?

The hob generally come with an in tank pump to send it into the fuge. There's a lip that puts the water back into the tank.

Pretty pricey new. I've found them used quite a bit.
Example.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/390488779218?dispItem=1&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fitm%252Flike%252F390488779218%253Fchn%253Dps%2526dispItem%253D1%26itemid%3D390488779218%26targetid%3D313776934696%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9031339%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D833559251%26adgroupid%3D39417365901%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-313776934696%26abcId%3D1123856%26merchantid%3D8042314%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIoq65782d1gIVQrnACh2msgU9EAQYByABEgK2lPD_BwE%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1307386212620&chn=ps&dispItem=1&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.com%252Fitm%252Flike%252F390488779218%253Fchn%253Dps%2526dispItem%253D1%26itemid%3D390488779218%26targetid%3D313776934696%26device%3Dm%26adtype%3Dpla%26googleloc%3D9031339%26poi%3D%26campaignid%3D833559251%26adgroupid%3D39417365901%26rlsatarget%3Dpla-313776934696%26abcId%3D1123856%26merchantid%3D8042314%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIoq65782d1gIVQrnACh2msgU9EAQYByABEgK2lPD_BwE%26srcrot%3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1307386212620&ul_noapp=true

Those are easy. I meant if I built a separate one out of a 10 gallon tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Those are easy. I meant if I built a separate one out of a 10 gallon tank.

Ah, yea then you'd basically be building a sump.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you have enough room you can also mod an aqua clear 110. Those are really cheap used. Quite big so you need room behind the tank.

 

[Jl330]

If you have enough room you can also mod an aqua clear 110. Those are really cheap used. Quite big so you need room behind the tank.

I have tons of room. I'm building a cabinet around the tank so I can position it wherever I need it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Cool. You can look up. Aqua clear refugium in a google image search. And poke eBay for used ones. Also look are hob Refugium there and craigslist as well as the selling forum. I do reccomend making sure it's accessible for cleaning. They collect detritus.

I currently have an AQ 70 refugium on my 30g. IMO it's not really big enough. But I'm outta room. Lol.
Mine is wrapped in RGBW leds btw. On a timer.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]