Copepod breeder tank

reefguy40gal · Nov 29, 2014

I have a 3gal pico tank (JBJ, I think) just sitting around.

Wanted to get your guys opinions on my plan to turn it into a copepod breeder tank:

1. Put 3gal "dirty" saltwater into the tank (basically, take the water I'm siphoning out of my 40gal during my weekly water change and put it into the pico)
2. Buy airstone
3. Goto CVS and buy those "poofy" things the women use to scrub themselves in the shower (the stuff made out of nylon-like material)
4. Buy 2 bags of copepods

Turn on airstone, put in both "poofy" thingys and throw in copepods. No heater due to me living in mild climate. Every week, put 1/2 bottle of live algae into the tank to keep the water "light green" color. After 2 weeks, take one poofy out, put in display tank and shake it out.

wash/rinse/repeat

I'm trying to do this on a budget and make it as hands-off maintenance as possible.

palindrom5 · Nov 29, 2014

I will follow, I have a 5 gallon I could do this with and it would be cool to have a sustained food source. I put lots of fluval bio rings and stacks of small pieces of live rock in my HOB refugium to try to sustain a good population, I know they are there but would like to have a way to culture more for sure

reefguy40gal · Nov 29, 2014

I got a mandarin goby....and his belly is normal (not sunken in) so he seems to be doing ok.

But I heave heard they can decimate your copepod population.

So I want to start growing my own because they over-priced at the stores.

TheNowMovement · Nov 29, 2014

I actually did the same thing this past week... Im culturing phytoplankton and hopefully copepods (Tisbe, small little things)... this is what i can say though from things I've read...

Dont use old tank water!!!! there are soo many things inside your water that can grow out of control in a small tank, and can therefore decimate your culture. I was told you make a fresh batch of salt water for the guys and make the salinity as close to your tank as possible.

I was told also to put it in front of a window... from what i hear they need 12-24 hours of light to continue to proliferate, so I have them in the same set up as my phytoplankton and they share a light... Phytoplankton needs 16 hours of light, so i figured it would work fine. I did lots of digging before i snapped the ball on this, and Im not sure how the results will be, but if it turns out working well, I'll be a happy camper!

reefguy40gal · Nov 30, 2014

How often are you supposed to change the water?

racin2438 · Dec 5, 2014

Good idea....should there be sand and rock in there too?

I have a 5g, JBJ Pico with built-in filter and return pump.. 1st compartment has 2 openings 1 top ..1 bottom then a tightly fitted mechanical sponge so pods should be OK and not go though easy enough I would think (?)

I could put some calurpa.and rock and breed them...I have a JBJ UNITED 54w, lamp that I could leave on a good 12 to 15 hrs...

I just might try this

reefguy40gal · Dec 5, 2014

I'm thinking "no" sand and gravel.....just 2 "poofy" sponges that your wife would buy at the beauty store.

This way after you take the sponge and shake it over your display tank (to release the pods living inside), you can return it to the pico and then let the pods repopulate it.

My biggest concern is phytoplankton.....I saw the "how to" tutorials on how to grow your own....it just looks like a total headache.

Airstone should be enough since the pods don't produce that much biological matter.....or maybe just one small live rock in the corner?

racin2438 · Dec 5, 2014

What about rock and those scrubby thingy. And the small pump and heater that are in the tanks sump area.
My only thing is they might get suckered up the top and bottom slots of the intake to the sump....

tyler1503 · Dec 5, 2014

Hey guys, I know it's not important or even helpful, but those poofy things are called loofahs

racin2438 · Dec 7, 2014

tyler1503
Poofy, thingy sounds better tho.---lol And I think the loofah is the really thing. The Poofy thingy is the plastic one.
Don't want to have someone use the real one and leach out something in the tank. That could be disastrous.

Paul C. · Dec 7, 2014

Following. Bought a 5 gal tank for this purpose. Going to use a couple of ATi Hydro Sponge filtes.

JFrar · Dec 7, 2014

following, i have a great copepod population in my refuge, but the idea of having a seperate tank to grow them and just dunk something in the display to release them sounds great !

MikeyAl · Feb 14, 2015

Culturing pods and phytoplankton instead hard. The phyto takes some work but you will find it will give you more than you will ever need. Some LFS will even trade for some good quality. Go to brineshrimpdirect for good articles on raising pods. Www.florida_aqua_farms.com has good starter cultures for under $15.

lemonyx · Feb 15, 2015

MikeyAl said:
Culturing pods and phytoplankton instead hard. The phyto takes some work but you will find it will give you more than you will ever need. Some LFS will even trade for some good quality. Go to brineshrimpdirect for good articles on raising pods. Www.florida_aqua_farms.com has good starter cultures for under $15.

Actually there is nothing hard about it

Just have to know when to stop

KDawg0623 · Feb 24, 2015

I have a 10 gal. with 2 bubblers, 1lb. live rock, heater and light. Would like to see how this works so I can get started. Thank you

MikeyAl · Feb 24, 2015

Lemonyx. Do you refrigerate your phyto ever? I have split cultures and have more than I can use. I have started to put in 8 oz bottles for storage. Any suggestions?