Pod advise

[jpontier212]

Hello guys. I'm in doubt about something. Being fairly new to the hobby i try not too overthink things but i also like to be prepared for anything. I am in the final stages of the beginning cycle. I've had water in the aquarium since 1/29. So my question is since i still have traces of nitrates and phosphates in my system, when is it safe to introduce copepods to my refugium?
Parameters
Salt- 1.027
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrate 40-50
Phosphate 3
Temp 79°f
Cal 420
Ph 8.2

 

[tankstudy]

I generally introduce mine at the first sign of algae.

 

[jpontier212]

Hello guys. I'm in doubt about something. Being fairly new to the hobby i try not too overthink things but i also like to be prepared for anything. I am in the final stages of the beginning cycle. I've had water in the aquarium since 1/29. So my question is since i still have traces of nitrates and phosphates in my system, when is it safe to introduce copepods to my refugium?
Parameters
Salt- 1.027
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrate 40-50
Phosphate 3
Temp 79°f
Cal 420
Ph 8.2

I also have 5lbs of live rock and about 6oz of red gracilaria in the fuge

 

[Reef Nutrition]

It is safe to add them now. Copepods tend to be a lot more durable than fish and some corals, so they can handle a cycling tank. Tigriopus and Tisbe copepods are very hardy, tolerating poor water quality with no mortalities. Copepods tend to do really good when you feed them phytoplankton, so keep that in mind.

Chad

 

[jpontier212]

It is safe to add them now. Copepods tend to be a lot more durable than fish and some corals, so they can handle a cycling tank. Tigriopus and Tisbe copepods are very hardy, tolerating poor water quality with no mortalities. Copepods tend to do really good when you feed them phytoplankton, so keep that in mind.

Chad

Thanks Chad. I appreciate it.

 

[143MPCo]

nitrates and phosphates in my system, when is it safe to introduce copepods to my refugium?

generally speaking you don't have to wait and can add them now.

 

[jpontier212]

By the way, do they help in any way other than being a food source?

 

[Reef Nutrition]

By the way, do they help in any way other than being a food source?

Many crustaceans consume detritus, bacteria and phytoplankton, so they can be sort of a clean up crew. Can you measure the impact of copepods and other crustaceans in a marine aquarium? Probably not, but they are great to have in there regardless.

Chad