I've just acquired an established reef tank and after several 3 am tank checks I've come to the conclusion that there are few, if any, copepods in the tank. I'm reluctant to add any more live rock to this tank and am wondering if there is any way to increase the copepod population? There are only a few fish in the tank, and no predatory corals, so I'm quite confused as I would expect there to be *many* of the little critters. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.
How do I increase the copepod population?
- Thread starter csmsss
- Start date
Sometimes when a tank "matures" for various reasons the "Pod" population will dwindle. You can add "Chaeto", Rock Rubble, or possibly some sand from a tank with LOTS of pods. Or you can go to your LFS and buy a bottle of "Tiger Pods". Put them into your tank and they will grow and grow and grow.
I'm not saying there aren't any there, only that I haven't seen any in several nocturnal visits to the tank and I would like there to be more.add a refigium...and how do you there's no pods...just because you cant see them dont mean that they arent there
oldsaint
Member
Just a couple of my thoughts.
Was the tank just recently moved? If so, I'm sure you lost some during that but not to worry they will come back quickly.
LOL I remember the first time someone caught me in my tank with a red flash light.
If the tank is stable and the rock is truly "cured" then I would say add it. It will bring it's own pods to add to the system.
Any of them predators of pods?
DAHansen
Member
Excellent question. I was thinking the same thing. I had until recently a Fairy Wrasse that ate pods as often as it could find them. I think he decimated my podulation. I'm waiting to see if it comes back - or maybe he "naturally selected" the braver/careless pods into extinction in my tank.
Here are the fish in the tank:
Small (2") maroon clownfish
small (1.5") blue-green chromis
2x small (2") yellow tail damsel
medium-large (3.5") black-striped angel
6 line wrasse
None of those are what I'd describe as voracious, though I suppose anything's possible. I'm a little suspicious of the wrasse, but that one never picks at the rocks during the day.
The problem with adding rock is that it's a fairly small tank (29 gallons) and there isn't a lot of open area in the tank to add any more. I'm also not sure I have enough circulation in the tank to add another sizable piece of rock.
Small (2") maroon clownfish
small (1.5") blue-green chromis
2x small (2") yellow tail damsel
medium-large (3.5") black-striped angel
6 line wrasse
None of those are what I'd describe as voracious, though I suppose anything's possible. I'm a little suspicious of the wrasse, but that one never picks at the rocks during the day.
The problem with adding rock is that it's a fairly small tank (29 gallons) and there isn't a lot of open area in the tank to add any more. I'm also not sure I have enough circulation in the tank to add another sizable piece of rock.
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corrado007
Active Member
I agree with the posts and suggestions so far. From my own experience I can tell you that a refugium is the place where the pods will really thrive. If I look in my display tank I don't see too many pods, you really have to look and still you don't see all that many. If you look in the fuge where I've got Chaeto, rock rubble, LS, and a few lbs of LR, there are quite a few pods.
Just for fun I'll show you a video of my fuge I just took the other day. I actually already posted this in my chronicle yesterday because I found it to be so crazy because of the burrowing pod but the point here is the amount of pods you can see in the video which are in the fuge and how few pods are in my display tank.
Just for fun I'll show you a video of my fuge I just took the other day. I actually already posted this in my chronicle yesterday because I found it to be so crazy because of the burrowing pod but the point here is the amount of pods you can see in the video which are in the fuge and how few pods are in my display tank.
surplusrifleguy
Member
I had millions of copepods a while back, then I decided to get a six-line. Now I have none, I personally watched him eat every last one.
corrado007
Active Member
Those guys eat anything and everything that moves and is smaller than they are don't they. Never had one but I've read that they eat all sorts of things.
Thanks for all the replies! A refugarium or sump isn't really an option at the moment as there really isn't space (we're in a small apartment until we find the right house). Sounds like as long as I have the wrasse in the tank, there won't be many (if any) copepods to speak of anyway. I guess I'll just leave things as they are for now until we find a house and I can get a bigger tank with all the proper extras.
Royalscott
Member
Last week I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and bought a small high sided plastic holder from the kitchen section w/ suction cups on the back. There are slits on the front of it. I think its to hold SOS pad or plastic pot scrubbers. I stuck it on the side towards the back of the tank by the water outlet and filled it with chaeto that were full of pods. Not only has the water cleared up drastically, the mandarin looks much healthier and the 6 line wrasse stays away from it.
Do you have a picture of it???
Soap Dishes can be VERY useful as an "In-Tank" mini-refugium.
I don't know exactly which one Janetta got but here are a couple of links to similar items...
Bed Bath & Beyond Product
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=105396&RN=182&
just be careful about placing them directly in the output of your pumps as they may act as a "Filter" and catch some detritus which you'll want to clean occasionally
GREAT ideas folks Keep em coming
I don't know exactly which one Janetta got but here are a couple of links to similar items...
Bed Bath & Beyond Product
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=105396&RN=182&
just be careful about placing them directly in the output of your pumps as they may act as a "Filter" and catch some detritus which you'll want to clean occasionally
GREAT ideas folks
Keep em coming
