live pods?

ElitePirate · May 23, 2019

Hi Friends

Please dont mind my noob questions. My LFS advertised that they're selling live pods. I've never used them before. Mine is a 15g (56L) small tank.. and I have few questions..

1) What are the things i should be aware before adding these pods?
2) any risks?
3) will they grow?
4) should i add more pods eventually? how often?
5) what are the different types available and what are the recommended pods?

as per this video i should add 8oz to my tank right?

Thanks in advance

ScottR · May 23, 2019

Pods are good to have for fish to snack on. You’ll definitely need them for some species of fish, like a mandarin. But I don’t feel that pods are completely necessary unless it’s something you really want.

What’s in your tank now? Fish wise

ElitePirate · May 23, 2019

ScottR said:
Pods are good to have for fish to snack on. You’ll definitely need them for some species of fish, like a mandarin. But I don’t feel that pods are completely necessary unless it’s something you really want.

What’s in your tank now? Fish wise

2 clown and 1 blue damsel

ScottR · May 23, 2019

ElitePirate said:
2 clown and 1 blue damsel

You can add. They won’t hurt anything. Your fish will snack on them occasionally. I’ve never heard someone complain about pods - unless they don’t like seeing what look like white bugs dance around

ElitePirate · May 23, 2019

Thanks Scott but i need more details pls -

- should i add more pods eventually? how often?
- what are the different types available and what are the recommended pods?

Mariette · May 23, 2019

Should I add more pods eventually?
No need. You can. Would be nice. But no need for those 2 fish. The pods will eventually all get eaten in a small tank w no refugium.

Different types
Copepods, tiger, rotifers, thisby (don’t know if I’m spelling that correctly?), probably more kinds

Recommended pods
All are good. Not sure of 1 is recommended over others. I get a blend of the pods and rotifers because that’s what available to me. I say the more safe biodiversity the better.

ElitePirate · May 23, 2019

Mariette said:
Should I add more pods eventually?
No need. You can. Would be nice. But no need for those 2 fish. The pods will eventually all get eaten in a small tank w no refugium.

Different types
Copepods, tiger, rotifers, thisby (don’t know if I’m spelling that correctly?), probably more kinds

Recommended pods
All are good. Not sure of 1 is recommended over others. I get a blend of the pods and rotifers because that’s what available to me. I say the more safe biodiversity the better.

thanks adding pods wont affect my water params by any chance right?

Mariette · May 23, 2019

ElitePirate said:
thanks adding pods wont affect my water params by any chance right?

Right :)

fastgoby · May 27, 2019

Don't worry about it... pods are always a plus. They'll help clean your system to some small degree (they're detritus eaters), and they make for a great snack for your fish to munch on. You can literally just dump them into your tank and they'll reproduce on their own.

ElitePirate · May 27, 2019

Thank you. Already added a small bag of Copepods :) it's just $5. Should I add another bag next month? Or do you think I will overload the tank?

There won't be any negative affect for adding more right?

Mariette · May 27, 2019

Where are you getting pods for just $5?!? I want some

ElitePirate · May 27, 2019

Haha I have 2 LFS near by. One selling a bag for $8 another one $5. It's not bottled. They breed locally

fastgoby · May 27, 2019

A healthy pod population in your tank is actually a sign that your tank is doing really well. You don't have to continuously dose pods once you have an established population... unless you're trying to feed something that's diet is entirely dependent on them, like a mandarin fish (in which case you probably will have to dose).

Otherwise just maybe dump one or two bottles in, and then see how they do.