Adding pods to your reef

Wunderpus · Apr 2, 2019

What're the general thoughts on adding pods to a reef tank? When I was in the hobby, they just sort of "happened" over time in the refugium/sump and in the display under the rocks. Now, it seems you can buy them on Amazon and "seed" the tank. How effective is this, really? I'd love to kickstart my pod community as I believe they make great food and are good little cleaners... My concerns are either adding a bolus dose and having a macro-environment of just 1 species or that I add a bunch and they die... Leading to a huge ammonia/nitrate spike... However, since my tank is fresh, it seems this would be a good time to add the pods, if they were a good choice.

Thanks guys!

revhtree · Apr 2, 2019

I added them to diversify! HA! Added them straight to the refugium area in my sump so they would be able to survive and thrive!

Wunderpus · Apr 2, 2019

revhtree said:
I added them to diversify! HA! Added them straight to the refugium area in my sump so they would be able to survive and thrive!

Makes sense... My tank is a BioCube, so I don't really have a refugium in that sense... I will add a light and chaeto down the road, but I'm prioritizing new lights and a skimmer first :)

Lloyd Williams · Apr 2, 2019

I add them to my biocube every 6 months or so just to diversify and replenish

Auto-pilot · Apr 2, 2019

Wunderpus said:
Makes sense... My tank is a BioCube, so I don't really have a refugium in that sense... I will add a light and chaeto down the road, but I'm prioritizing new lights and a skimmer first :)

I have added pods in the past and it worked out good for me! I didn't have a very diverse amount if pods and after I added some different types I still see them over a year later running around my tank and sump

LiveWire · Apr 2, 2019

They will eventually populate your system on their own but adding them will be a positive thing down the road. I also believe that dosing the tank regularly with Phytoplankton is a must in order to keep the population in a happy place. As long as your parameters are in place to support them now I would go ahead and add them to get the jump start on a good population. I would recommend the Tisbe pods as from what I have seen they seem to do the best in terms of regenerating in our systems.

Wunderpus · Apr 2, 2019

LiveWire said:
They will eventually populate your system on their own but adding them will be a positive thing down the road. I also believe that dosing the tank regularly with Phytoplankton is a must in order to keep the population in a happy place. As long as your parameters are in place to support them now I would go ahead and add them to get the jump start on a good population. I would recommend the Tisbe pods as from what I have seen they seem to do the best in terms of regenerating in our systems.

That's what I was thinking... I found this brand on Amazon, thoughts? - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013NLV8TY/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1A8RB29BLCDSG&psc=1

Idaho Mojo · Apr 2, 2019

Wunderpus said:
That's what I was thinking... I found this brand on Amazon, thoughts? - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013NLV8TY/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1A8RB29BLCDSG&psc=1

Check out algae barn!
https://www.algaebarn.com/

LiveWire · Apr 2, 2019

I have used coral reefing products in the past and their pods and plankton are good quality. If you would like to order from him I would just order from their website. You can also use Algae Barn like @Idaho Mojo said. Another good supplier is Mikes Phyto. Mike sells a reef mix that has a ton of life in it. And there is Pod Your Reef that I have heard good things about but have not ordered from them myself. All 4 have good quality products and you will be happy with whichever one that you order from. Let us all know who you decide to purchase from and how things go.

https://www.coralreefing.com/
https://www.algaebarn.com/
https://mikesphyto.com/
https://www.podyourreef.com/

cracker · Apr 2, 2019

I'm always leary about adding the water they come in. never found a decent way to lose the water without losing pods also.
Any trick to this?

Idaho Mojo · Apr 2, 2019

cracker said:
I'm always leary about adding the water they come in. never found a decent way to lose the water without losing pods also.
Any trick to this?

I've also wondered this. I'm sure that most if not all reputable sellers of pods run systems free of contaminants or pests.