Copepod experiment tank

[Onixom]

Hi all just wanted to make this thread as im trying an experiment to see if breeding copepods in a barrel of old tank water will work.
After discussing with the LFS they said that copepods thrive in dirty dirty setups so ive taken a old water barrel and cut the top off, then filled with old tank water from water changes over the last month or so.
Laid a bit of blue roll on the bottom with a bit of reef rock (not from the main tank but fresh from rain water and sat them at the bottom of the barrel

Bought some copepods from the LFS and have placed them in there today

So I will keep this thread updated once a week to see if it works or if it fails (only concern is i havnt put a filter on the barrel so may be a factor to consider if it fails.

This is the barrel in question, ive sat it on the bench (to stop the dogs drinking it lol) in the shade otherwise the sun might cook them)

Heres the inside showing the rock and blue roll (to provide a little hiding place if they want and or need it

If you look at the blue roll at the bottom you can see the little brown specs hopefully they'll survive and prove to be a successful experiment.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

so you mean the idea is no need to feed phyto? They live off whatever is in the old tank water?
No airline either in this experiment? Just water in a barrel? It will be interesting..

 

[Onixom]

so you mean the idea is no need to feed phyto? They live off whatever is in the old tank water?
No airline either in this experiment? Just water in a barrel? It will be interesting..

May put a few caps of phyto in every so often (forgot that they'll need food)
Thanks for reminding me lol

 

[taricha]

in my experience, abundant pods will grow anywhere that there is phyto ... and barely at all if you have no phyto.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

I'd be a little concerned about the contamination aspect being outside open top. Pesticide droplets can travel a great distance. Should probably try and get some sun on it for algea growth for them to feed on . Other then that it should work until the oxygen levels become critically low . Could always just throw a cheap air bubble at it to keep things moving

 

[topjimmy]

May put a few caps of phyto in every so often (forgot that they'll need food)
Thanks for reminding me lol

Toss in some phyto and a little fertilizer like miracle grow, it'll turn green. Top off the evap with fresh water like your tank. I have a tub on my porch growing them like crazy.

 

[Nicholasbar]

I have never tried an experiment like this but I have thought of it please let me know if it works in your favor if so I will give it a shot.

 

[Snoopdog]

Following

 

[Onixom]

Its nearly a week since i set the barrel up.
So on a visual check there appears to be more copepods then originally added so they seem to be happy (unless ive gone delusional and am seeing things)
I ended up moving the barrel onto the garden table to allow some sun to shine on it (8am-12pm 4hours)
Following @LordofCinder 's point i did start putting phyto into the barrel (a capful every 2 days not sure if to much or little) can only watch and wait/alter when needed

I've ordered a solar powered air pump with stone as im thinking of setting a phyto barrel along with this copepods barrel as it may get a little expensive on phyto purchasing, i know they'll need an air stone so i may chuck a air stone in both barrels if it works (Its a big if. Im not putting to much faith in it till it arrives)

But so far the experiment is working,

 

[Onixom]

Cant get a video it only want to focus on the surface of the water

 

[Onixom]

08/06/23
So after accidently over doseing on phyto (my bad) the water has gone a lovely green and i cant see the bottom.
However when i use a straw to disturb the water the copepods get pulled to the top and swim around so im confident that they'll all alive, the LFS even said that the copepods should survive as the phyto is just replenishing itself so when theres enough copepods then it should go clear again

So i expect the barrel to be a little green for a few weeks

 

[kevgib67]

08/06/23
So after accidently over doseing on phyto (my bad) the water has gone a lovely green and i cant see the bottom.
However when i use a straw to disturb the water the copepods get pulled to the top and swim around so im confident that they'll all alive, the LFS even said that the copepods should survive as the phyto is just replenishing itself so when theres enough copepods then it should go clear again

So i expect the barrel to be a little green for a few weeks

Did you just time travel a month into the future? Interesting experiment, following.

 

[Onixom]

Did you just time travel a month into the future? Interesting experiment, following.

Uk date system
08 july 2023

 

[kevgib67]

Uk date system
08 july 2023

I guess I’m one of those dumb Americans! Keep up the good work. Disappointed, I wanted to know what the future looked like.

 

[Onixom]

Monday 17th july.
Forgot to post on Saturday but currently the barrel is exactly the same as last week. See the copepods swimming at the top, cant see the bottom due to the green, initially thought it was phyto however im leaning to it being more algae so im going to move the barrel to a less sunny spot.
Cipepods looked lethargic on sunday (16th) so i put a capful of phyto in and now theyre energetic hence why im leaning to it being algae

Aside from that its exactly the same woo

 

[Onixom]

Saturday 22nd of july
just shy of 1 month since the experiment started the green algea has started dissappearing and upon examination (just shy of sticking face in the water lol) there is a considerable difference in the amount of copepods than what was originally put into the barrel (with many smaller ones that i cant get the camera to focus on, may be a blur in the video/photo)

I did try to do a phyto barrel with same conditions (but with a solar powered air stone) but that has failed so ive scooped some copepods out this barrel and out in with the exact same conditions so will be a test to see if it is a lucky test or if will work again

 

[Onixom]

30th july 2023
In the main barrel all but a few the copepods are currently sitting at the bottom of the barrel. Last few updates its been raining so they've been near the top, but with the sun out they've retreated to the bottom, theyre still alive as you can see them moving.

Second barrel starting to go green again and the copepods are moving around towards the bottom but still to early to give any meaningfull update

 

[Onixom]

August 9th 2023.
I dare say that this has become a successful expeiment as both barrels have successfully bred and sustained themselves, may need to adjust feeding amounts based on amount of copepods (not sure as would differ on other factors)
Been using the barrels to feed main tank, may buy a few more barrels but will see in the future after a year or so.

Also got to fish the dead wasp out but one barrel is full of copepods the other is full but been using 1 barrel to feed DT and its warm today (found that they come out more on rainy overcast days rather than a sunny bright day)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

August 9th 2023.
I dare say that this has become a successful expeiment as both barrels have successfully bred and sustained themselves, may need to adjust feeding amounts based on amount of copepods (not sure as would differ on other factors)
Been using the barrels to feed main tank, may buy a few more barrels but will see in the future after a year or so.

Also got to fish the dead wasp out but one barrel is full of copepods the other is full but been using 1 barrel to feed DT and its warm today (found that they come out more on rainy overcast days rather than a sunny bright day)

Glad to see it is doing well!