Pods

[Conor_K]

So my cycle seems to be going well. Ammonia is climbing, rock is starting to show signs of progress

Time to premptively plan the next step. (Still 2-3 weeks away i’m guessing. Tanks been running for 3).

I think I want to start with Pods. Trying to set a solid foundation for the future. Then once the uglies start a cuc and then a fish.

Algae barn seems like a solid start for pods and phyto to feed them. Amazingly, and likely someone will make me look stupid on this, they don’t seem to have a recomendation on what packge/gal to go with.

I have a 120 display/40gallon sump.
Anyone have thoughts on a good starter package?

Am I trying to be too clever here?

I’m in no rush and looking for a long term, stable, healthy tank for coral. (Species tbd).

Thanks,
C

 

[Brew12]

So my cycle seems to be going well. Ammonia is climbing, rock is starting to show signs of progress

Time to premptively plan the next step. (Still 2-3 weeks away i’m guessing. Tanks been running for 3).

I think I want to start with Pods. Trying to set a solid foundation for the future. Then once the uglies start a cuc and then a fish.

Algae barn seems like a solid start for pods and phyto to feed them. Amazingly, and likely someone will make me look stupid on this, they don’t seem to have a recomendation on what packge/gal to go with.

I have a 120 display/40gallon sump.
Anyone have thoughts on a good starter package?

Am I trying to be too clever here?

I’m in no rush and looking for a long term, stable, healthy tank for coral. (Species tbd).

Thanks,
C

In a tank with no predators, you only need a small number of pods to seed the system. Either they will reproduce which will happen quickly or they won't in which case it doesn't matter how many you add.

 

[cracker]

So howlonghas the taank been going? 3 weeks? If so please considering wait for a good while before adding any pods. You will have the phyto to feed though.
What do you Folks think,will the phyto have an effect on the cycle? As for how many? I think I'd get a bunch.

 

[Alexreefer]

So howlonghas the taank been going? 3 weeks? If so please considering wait for a good while before adding any pods. You will have the phyto to feed though.
What do you Folks think,will the phyto have an effect on the cycle? As for how many? I think I'd get a bunch.

Me too im interested if phyto messes with the cycle.

 

[Brew12]

So howlonghas the taank been going? 3 weeks? If so please considering wait for a good while before adding any pods. You will have the phyto to feed though.
What do you Folks think,will the phyto have an effect on the cycle? As for how many? I think I'd get a bunch.

I'm sure phyto will consume some ammonia and nitrate but I doubt it would have a meaningful impact unless you turned your water green with it.

 

[cracker]

.I difer to crabs . Would the phyot change the cycle in some way?

 

[Conor_K]

To be clear, nothing will be added until the cycle is complete which will be a week or two after the tank can take 1-2ppm ammonia to zero in 24 hours.

So the copes should have no effect on the “initial cycle”.

Thanks for the input,
C

 

[Alexreefer]

@Crabs Mcjones Any insight?

 

[Osidedude]

So my cycle seems to be going well. Ammonia is climbing, rock is starting to show signs of progress

Time to premptively plan the next step. (Still 2-3 weeks away i’m guessing. Tanks been running for 3).

I think I want to start with Pods. Trying to set a solid foundation for the future. Then once the uglies start a cuc and then a fish.

Algae barn seems like a solid start for pods and phyto to feed them. Amazingly, and likely someone will make me look stupid on this, they don’t seem to have a recomendation on what packge/gal to go with.

I have a 120 display/40gallon sump.
Anyone have thoughts on a good starter package?

Am I trying to be too clever here?

I’m in no rush and looking for a long term, stable, healthy tank for coral. (Species tbd).

Thanks,
C

Call Reef Nutrition...they have great pods and product...customer service is great too

 

[wesman42]

First, I'd nail down what kind of pods you're looking for...then shop around far too many people think Algae Barn is the only option. Some species NEED phyto to survive, and some species will feed off of detritus as well as other forms of food...some even like macro algae.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Its been my experience that pods will find their way into your system one way or another whether you purposefully introduce them or not. If you started with live rock it's likely they're in the tank already . Are you planning on running a refugium in this tank? A fuge is a great way to get pods introduced into your tank, provide them a breeding ground, and promote nutrient export. With that being said there are a couple of online retailers that sell refugium starter packs consisting of macro algaes, and copepods, amphipids and isopods if not running a refugium they offer "pod only" packs

 

[Alex Bonanno]

Where are you in cycle? Are you detecting nitrates yet? If so I think adding pods is fine. Amount shouldn’t matter since there are no predators in your system yet. If all goes well they will reproduce and multiple in no time. I recommend ordering several species though. It will increase your chances of success and higher biodiversity is always a good thing.

 

[Conor_K]

Well I Iove the quick fire reponses this evening.

It seems like I might, indeed, be too clever here and can/should wait on pods until the system has some maturity.

I am struggling a bit with all the opinions out there on where to start once I am comfortable the initial cycle
is complete.

Fish first, cuc first, copes first...
Maybe insignificant long term, but I appreciate thoughts from all of you with experience.

 

[Conor_K]

Where are you in cycle? Are you detecting nitrates yet? If so I think adding pods is fine. Amount shouldn’t matter since there are no predators in your system yet. If all goes well they will reproduce and multiple in no time. I recommend ordering several species though. It will increase your chances of success and higher biodiversity is always a good thing.

I’d say I am early/mid cycle. Amonnia showing. Nitrites showing. Nitrates, not yet.

But I am not looking to add anything until the cycle is “complete”.

Looking for opinions on where to start 3-4 weeks from now when the tank is cycled.

 

[Osidedude]

My tank was cycled 6 months ago and started with a few fish but knowing I wanted a Dragonette or 2. I have been growing pods now in separate system for over 5 months and use them to feed not only some picky eaters but my corals as well. Add them after your tank cycles and as others have said a refugium is a great place for pods to grow without predators eating them but only certain pods can make it through your return pump such as Rotifers most other pods need to go straight into your tank.