Keeping copepods in the UK

[Mark Bradley]

On the internet it says they need to be at 20 degrees to breed. My rooms, at this time of the year, are definitely not 20 degrees 24/7. I appreciate I could use a small heater but, based on the fact it would be working quite hard to maintain the 20 degrees I’m a little fearful of the cost given current energy prices here. Does anyone on the forum, in the UK, breed copepods cost effectively?

Secondly, if they need such a temperature why do LFS’s keep live copepods in a fridge?

Got myself a Mandarin who does take frozen but I’d like to establish a good copepod population in my tank to sustain him.

 

[Shon]

What type of container are you using?
Depending on what, you could use:

Basic aquarium heater..

Seedling/reptile heat mat

brewer wrap

Or a simple cooler and a ceramic heat lamp.

Always use a temp controller. Be wary of possible fire hazards.

Keeping copepods cool slows their metabolism. Uses less oxygen, food etc. They won't proliferate (breed).

 

[Mark Bradley]

I’ll look into a heat mat - so I assume they won’t breed at 18, or so, degrees?

 

[reef_1]

On the internet it says they need to be at 20 degrees to breed. My rooms, at this time of the year, are definitely not 20 degrees 24/7. I appreciate I could use a small heater but, based on the fact it would be working quite hard to maintain the 20 degrees I’m a little fearful of the cost given current energy prices here. Does anyone on the forum, in the UK, breed copepods cost effectively?

Secondly, if they need such a temperature why do LFS’s keep live copepods in a fridge?

Got myself a Mandarin who does take frozen but I’d like to establish a good copepod population in my tank to sustain him.

I cant remember exact temperatures, but try it I guess.
They are happy in my "office" which goes down to below 15C at nights. I have them next to the tank though, which is kept at 25C.