Seeding New Tank/Refugium

[Joel B in FL]

I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on their preferred method of seeding a new tank/refugium with pods. Does anyone have a really good go to place for the pods? What type of pods are best? How many do you add to a new tank?

 

[KDirk]

how long has the tank been running?

 

[Joel B in FL]

I should have rock, sand, and water in on Thursday so I guess brand new.

 

[JedClampett]

I would use chaetomorpha, it will have a ton

 

[KDirk]

You need to cycle the tank first. I would get it established with beneficial bacteria before adding things like pods. Google cycling a reef tank.

 

[JedClampett]

If you're using live rock, there should be pods in it as well

 

[Joel B in FL]

You need to cycle the tank first. I would get it established with beneficial bacteria before adding things like pods. Google cycling a reef tank.

Yea I have had the rock in water for right at a month now. I added Dr Tims one and only when the rock first went in and have been adding ammonia every few days and watching how quickly the ammonia gets removed. I have also added some two little fishies bacteria about half way into the process. I feel pretty confident that my rock and marine pure have a good bacteria colony established on them. On top of that I will be adding a third brand of bacteria, seachem seed, when the rock and sand go into the tank along with using live sand.

However with that being said I was not asking about when to add them. I was hoping to get some peoples actual thoughts on types to add, how many to add, and where they actually get their pods from.

 

[JedClampett]

Yea I have had the rock in water for right at a month now. I added Dr Tims one and only when the rock first went in and have been adding ammonia every few days and watching how quickly the ammonia gets removed. I have also added some two little fishies bacteria about half way into the process. I feel pretty confident that my rock and marine pure have a good bacteria colony established on them. On top of that I will be adding a third brand of bacteria, seachem seed, when the rock and sand go into the tank along with using live sand.

However with that being said I was not asking about when to add them. I was hoping to get some peoples actual thoughts on types to add, how many to add, and where they actually get their pods from.

What is your main purpose for the pods?

 

[Joel B in FL]

Well ultimately the main purpose will be as a food source. My favorite fish is the mandarin so I want a nice healthy population so that in a few months I can add one to my tank.

A secondary purpose would be that they are part of the clean up crew and can get into those little nooks and crannies on rock and help keep things cleaned out. So a nice healthy population should keep my tank cleaner.

 

[JedClampett]

You will want copepods for feeding, but since mandarins go through them so fast you need a place for them to breed, like a refugium. Mandarins will also eat smaller amphipods. How big is your tank?

 

[Joel B in FL]

I have a 180 tank. There will be a section in the sump about 16" by 18" where my refugium will be.

 

[Joel B in FL]

So does anyone have a go to place for buying pods?

 

[JPergamo]

I just had an explosion of pods, my tank is about 2 months old and has had livestock for about a month. You can just ask your LFS if they will sell you a ball of macro algae from an established system and it will be full of them.

The general progression that I've noticed is when you get that super bright green algae bloom after your cycle, the pod population will completely take off as the green subsides and the pods consume the algae. After a time the population will balance itself out and will increase and decrease at various times for various reasons.

 

[Joel B in FL]

I just had an explosion of pods, my tank is about 2 months old and has had livestock for about a month. You can just ask your LFS if they will sell you a ball of macro algae from an established system and it will be full of them.

The general progression that I've noticed is when you get that super bright green algae bloom after your cycle, the pod population will completely take off as the green subsides and the pods consume the algae. After a time the population will balance itself out and will increase and decrease at various times for various reasons.

Ok thanks for the reply. So you have never added any pods to your tank?

 

[JPergamo]

Ok thanks for the reply. So you have never added any pods to your tank?

No never added just pods. They will multiply like crazy just from stocking macro in the fuge.

 

[melypr1985]

So does anyone have a go to place for buying pods?

Algae Barn is a good place to go. There are a couple sponsors here I think that sell them along with algae barn. I've used them and I only ordered copepods. There are other types out there and you can add them, but some will prey other others I believe. My advise? Get some macro algae for your fuge (after your tank has cycled) and let the pods in that populate for a while. You can always buy a pod package and add it to the tank in a month or two if you think you need it. Let them populate for 6 months before adding the mandarin. You wont believe how fast just one can clean you out so make sure it's established really well first.

 

[Joel B in FL]

Algae Barn is a good place to go. There are a couple sponsors here I think that sell them along with algae barn. I've used them and I only ordered copepods. There are other types out there and you can add them, but some will prey other others I believe. My advise? Get some macro algae for your fuge (after your tank has cycled) and let the pods in that populate for a while. You can always buy a pod package and add it to the tank in a month or two if you think you need it. Let them populate for 6 months before adding the mandarin. You wont believe how fast just one can clean you out so make sure it's established really well first.

Thanks for the reply. I saw algae barn on here but wanted to get some others feedback to see if they knew of any other place.

 

[FishOfHex]

I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on their preferred method of seeding a new tank/refugium with pods. Does anyone have a really good go to place for the pods? What type of pods are best? How many do you add to a new tank?

Two common ways is to get used rock and or rubble from a friend with an established tank or you can buy pods off the net. Id recommend getting some from a friend to save the cash. best of luck

 

[JackDE]

I just ordered some from reef cleaners. I'm new at this so I can't tell you if their pods are better or anything. But I can let you know how it goes when I receive my order.

 

[Joel B in FL]

Two common ways is to get used rock and or rubble from a friend with an established tank or you can buy pods off the net. Id recommend getting some from a friend to save the cash. best of luck

Thanks for the advice.