Buying pods in a bottle??

[shoelaceike]

I just got a manderin today and I want to make sure there are enough pods to keep him happy....I see they sell these Algagen pods in a bottle.....any experience with them? Are they actually alive? Will they reproduce? Tia

 

[Reefrookie220]

If you've got a buddy with a sump, toss a sponge in there to get pods, or buy them from algae barn or a reputable company, idk how big of a shelf life those critters would have.

 

[Fishfreak_MA]

Get the tisbe pods by Algagen. Live Aquaria sells them if you want to put in a big order to get the free shipping. This species is a rock/ substrate dwelling pod which is where the mandarin will hunt them. I've had great success with them. You'll only see so many live adults in the bottle but it will be loaded with eggs as well so after two weeks or so you should see a good population explosion. Remember that the mandarin will eat them up pretty quick so pod condos or a hang on refugium will help keep the population up.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

id buy from an internet source. better bang for the buck. And yes they will multiply. But you have to keep up the population.
Also please google mandrin feeding + ree2reef you will have nearly no chance of keeping the fish without getting them to eat frozen as well.
its a long read but a good one and important.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/can-i-get-a-mandarin.227817/

pods.
http://www.reefs2go.com/product/MAC...efugium-Algae-Pack--Mini---FREE-SHIPPING.html
if you have a fuge thatll help. If you dont have a sump I really recommend an hob refugium.

cheapest hob fuge
http://www.amazon.com/Marina-Hang-O...F8&qid=1452553529&sr=8-1&keywords=breeder+box

 

[Fishfreak_MA]

Algae barn pods are going to be a hodgepodge of all kinds of different species. Eventually one or two will outcompete the others. If you want to get specifically pods that dwell on rocks or any species specific other than tigger pods the only place commercially is Aglagen. They breed them for commercial operations and are nice enough to sell to hobbyists as well. They also make some neat edible algae if your into health food.

 

[shoelaceike]

Thanks everyone. I am setting up a refugium now....can I just dump the tisbe bottle in the refug?

 

[Fishfreak_MA]

I know a couple people with fat full grown mandarins that don't eat prepared foods. Just throwing that out there.

 

[Fishfreak_MA]

Yes dump the tisbe right in there. Some Cheato and live rock will help them with their reproduction.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I know a couple people with fat full grown mandarins that don't eat prepared foods. Just throwing that out there.

agreed. no long debates.:)
im going with the average hobbyist theory.

 

[shoelaceike]

Thanks!

 

[McMullen]

I've bought several times from reefs2go. Tons of pods in their shipments

 

[Reefrookie220]

A hodgepodge of different species must be layman for "biodiversity"

Our tanks are a fine example of only the strong survive.