pod question

[Ray Laneville]

Hi,
I ordered the 5280 pods and phyto and some chaeto. Never had any of this before. The post office delayed my package delivery. It was shipped 3/19, arriving today 3/27. Algae Barn graciously sent me a new order which will arrive Thursday. My question is - today's package - will any of it be salvageable and how can I tell?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The copepods, at least those big enough to actually see, will obviously be moving around alive, or will be unmoving and dead. Might be some of each. I'd put them in something like a well-rinsed kitchen glass and look closely.

Macroalgae is harder to tell, and the only way for you is likely to be put it into your refugium and see if it grows over the next few weeks.

here's what they say on the pods:

https://www.algaebarn.com/pods-on-a-plane-receiving-inspecting-a-shipment-of-live-copepods/

It is true that in cases where packages are damaged, exposed to extreme weather or not delivered on time, DOAs can occur. In such cases, it is important to know what to look for before taking further action. As even adult copepods of some species can be difficult to see with the naked human eye, one must look very closely to assess their condition. Backlighting with a powerful flashlight can help with this. Better yet is observation under a microscope, if one is available. The most obvious indication of health is vigorous physical activity. A good indication of health and vitality is their characteristically jerky movement through the water column. Benthic forms may be observed skirting over the inner surface of the shipping bag.