Copepods questions from a beginner

[Parsely]

Hi, I am very new to this hobby and just got my fluval evo 13.5g cycled. I have been reading about copepods and am interested in them to help skip or dampen the ugly stage. I've read articles and watched a few youtube videos but the information all seems very advanced and I cant seem to find a really basic beginner guide. I had a few questions I hoped could be answered.

1) Do I need to also buy phytoplankton as well? If so how frequently do I add phytoplankton?

2) The LFS near me has many different bottles (Tigger pods, Apex Pods, Pac Pods, Arcti pods) and I have no clue which I should get

Thanks for the help!

 

[Sharkbait19]

The different pods at the lfs are for the sake of diversity, and probably different sizes for different sized fish.
If you started with live rock and sand, there is a good chance some already hitchhiked in. Pods really won’t do much to skip uglies or help with cycling, but are good for cleanup and natural fish food.
I don’t add phytoplankton to my reef and have a thriving population of amphipods, copepods, and mysis shrimp.

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

I am not an expert and I don't know if there is a "right" answer for you. I would recommend a mix of copepods with the smaller (apex, I think) being where I would start. You don't NEED phytoplankton, but it will probably help your copepods thrive. I have a 75L tank and I add ~2ml of phytofeast a day.

 

[GeorgeH]

The different pods at the lfs are for the sake of diversity, and probably different sizes for different sized fish.
If you started with live rock and sand, there is a good chance some already hitchhiked in. Pods really won’t do much to skip uglies or help with cycling, but are good for cleanup and natural fish food.
I don’t add phytoplankton to my reef and have a thriving population of amphipods, copepods, and mysis shrimp.

Oh, I was under the impression they really help with the uglies. Good to know phytoplankton isn’t necessary

 

[GeorgeH]

I am not an expert and I don't know if there is a "right" answer for you. I would recommend a mix of copepods with the smaller (apex, I think) being where I would start. You don't NEED phytoplankton, but it will probably help your copepods thrive. I have a 75L tank and I add ~2ml of phytofeast a day.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

Hi, I am very new to this hobby and just got my fluval evo 13.5g cycled. I have been reading about copepods and am interested in them to help skip or dampen the ugly stage. I've read articles and watched a few youtube videos but the information all seems very advanced and I cant seem to find a really basic beginner guide. I had a few questions I hoped could be answered.

1) Do I need to also buy phytoplankton as well? If so how frequently do I add phytoplankton?

2) The LFS near me has many different bottles (Tigger pods, Apex Pods, Pac Pods, Arcti pods) and I have no clue which I should get

Thanks for the help!

Pac pods and arcti pods are not live copepods just fish food . Tisbe Biminiensis is going to be your best bet to help with " the ugly faze " . Phytoplankton dosing definitely helps with a growing copepod population

 

[Parsely]

Pac pods and arcti pods are not live copepods just fish food . Tisbe Biminiensis is going to be your best bet to help with " the ugly faze " . Phytoplankton dosing definitely helps with a growing copepod population

Thank you, ill try and see if my LFS has Tisbe Biminiensis there