The right copepods

[Shawn_epicurious]

I have a 200 gallon mixed reef tank. It is stil mostly softies, but heading towards SPS. I’ve put copepods in my tank once about 2 months ago but am thinking it is time to do it again. I am not sure which ones I should be buying. I think I got the “5280... something” from Algea barn last time and discovered there are actually a lot of choice out there.

As in all things... some are better than others. Any recommendations on which ones I should be using? : )

 

[Backreefing]

Following

 

[PeterLL]

This is from what research I've done on the internet so take it with a pinch of salt.

So there are two main 'types' of copepods, benthic (live on surfaces) and palegic (free swimming). In the interests of having a population in the tank - benthic ones are the ones you want, while for say having a separate culture going and live feeding, palegic ones are preferable as they are eaten quick out the water column. Benthic ones also have the benefit of living in the tank and allowing feeders like mandarins to constantly find on the rockwork and pick off during the day.
The two most common benthic copepods that are able to live in the tank and have a population seem to be Tisbe Biminiensis and Tigriopus Californicus. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong though.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

This is from what research I've done on the internet so take it with a pinch of salt.

So there are two main 'types' of copepods, benthic (live on surfaces) and palegic (free swimming). In the interests of having a population in the tank - benthic ones are the ones you want, while for say having a separate culture going and live feeding, palegic ones are preferable as they are eaten quick out the water column. Benthic ones also have the benefit of living in the tank and allowing feeders like mandarins to constantly find on the rockwork and pick off during the day.
The two most common benthic copepods that are able to live in the tank and have a population seem to be Tisbe Biminiensis and Tigriopus Californicus. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong though.

Nice write up, thank you

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

This is from what research I've done on the internet so take it with a pinch of salt.

So there are two main 'types' of copepods, benthic (live on surfaces) and palegic (free swimming). In the interests of having a population in the tank - benthic ones are the ones you want, while for say having a separate culture going and live feeding, palegic ones are preferable as they are eaten quick out the water column. Benthic ones also have the benefit of living in the tank and allowing feeders like mandarins to constantly find on the rockwork and pick off during the day.
The two most common benthic copepods that are able to live in the tank and have a population seem to be Tisbe Biminiensis and Tigriopus Californicus. Please anyone correct me if I am wrong though.

I just looked up what I bought.... I got what Algea Barn calls “5280 Pods” they are a combination of Tisbe Biminiensis and Tigriopus Californicus. These guys are really small. I can’t tell if there are any left...

 

[PeterLL]

I just looked up what I bought.... I got what Algea Barn calls “5280 Pods” they are a combination of Tisbe Biminiensis and Tigriopus Californicus. These guys are really small. I can’t tell if there are any left...

Not a clue mate, possibly you just got a lot of nauplii in yours, or not enough to reproduce in the tank to set up populations.
Considering making a post with all the different types and some info about them and culture methods etc. All sourced and referenced as there is so much conflicting information about and so many species.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Not a clue mate, possibly you just got a lot of nauplii in yours, or not enough to reproduce in the tank to set up populations.
Considering making a post with all the different types and some info about them and culture methods etc. All sourced and referenced as there is so much conflicting information about and so many species.

I am starting to figure that out... : )

 

[GaryE]

I weeded my tank with a couple bottles of Tigger pods plus a bit of cheato from a local reefer for my fuge that was covered in various lifeforms.

Now I have a crazy population of amphipods and copepods.

I am looking into getting something that will eat the big amphipods before they take over my house.

 

[PeterLL]

I've started something that gives the rundown of the most common copepods... super early draft but gives a rough idea of the ones youve got

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I've started something that gives the rundown of the most common copepods... super early draft but gives a rough idea of the ones youve got

That is a nice paper you have going there! Very helpful.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

When I put those pods in my tank, I started feeding phytoplankton... my tank just seemed to come alive the next day. I am not sure it that was from the Pods or the food, but I really liked what they did for my tank. That was two months ago... since I am about to run out of the phytoplankton, I went ahead and reordered the same ones again... the 5280 Pods. (While I read more and learn about these guys).

I am not feeding a Mandarin... yet, but that is a fish I’d like to add to my tank : )