I’m looking to get a mandarin soon, but I want to get my kids in before getting the fish and letting them sit for awhile. My question is how filter socks will hurt the pods numbers, and if there is any other media to put in that they will survive through. Also, if going no socks is a good idea.
Pods and Socks
- Thread starter Kris39
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We recommend when adding pods to remove filter pads, floss or socks for around 24 hours. Shut off all flow and lighting for 45 minutes when you add as well. This gives the pods the most chance at success. Yes some pods will become trapped in the socks, but its never enough to hurt the population. ~Shaun K.
Reef Nutrition
We Feed Your Reef
We are a large-scale producer of copepods and phytoplankton. Let us know if you have any questions.
Best,
Chad
SMSREEF
Valuable Member
Hi Chad,
What are your thoughts on filter socks impacting a copepod population?
Is there a specific type of pod you would seed if you plan to use a filter sock and have a mandarin?
Reef Nutrition
We Feed Your Reef
Socks have very little impact on a copepod population once they are established in the aquarium. The copepods available in the hobby are not pelagic species, so they will inhabit every nook and cranny in the substrate and rocks instead of drifting around the tank ending up in the overflow. It's important to remove filter socks for a short time (30 minutes to an hour) when adding copepods to the aquarium at any give time, whether it's a new build or an existing set up.
I recommend our Apex-Pods (Apocyclops panamensis) for long-term population. They are small and reproduce faster than some other species. This animal makes for a great food source for mandarins since it feeds on phytoplankton and organic waste which gives it a good nutritional profile. Keep in mind that you can get mandarins (especially captive-bred) to eat dead copepods, mysis, brine shrimp and even pellets like our TDO Xtra Small and Small (these are used by mandarin breeders to wean them off of live feed organisms (copepods) at a very young age). This can be useful if your pod population is being consumed faster than it can replenish itself. Large tanks (>55 gallons) with lot of habitat can help to keep a pod population going even in with ravenous predators like mandarins. It's also very helpful to have a refugium.
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to reach out.
Best,
Chad
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