pods

[ahiggins]

Hey all!
I want to introduce some pods into my system. I already have really tiny ones but I want to put some in for the wrasses I have.
Whats the best kind for food? species?
What should I look for when buying?
I know nothing about pods so Im just looking to get educated :D
Thanks!!

 

[Chefbill]

Algaebarn sells them. Many LFSs carry live tigger pods. Reefcleaners sells them. Ask on a local club forum as some reefers culture them. But some chaeto as it is usually loaded with pods. As to types and nutrition I have no answers but they are easy to source. And I would say it is near impossible to not have pods in a reef system, especially if you have a fuge with macro. Just give it time.

 

[ahiggins]

I dont have a fuge in any tank of mine. but I bet that I could now that I have an extra light. chaeto just needs flow and light correct?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I dont have a fuge in any tank of mine. but I bet that I could now that I have an extra light. chaeto just needs flow and light correct?

Yup.
Look for amphipods for the bigger fish.
Something to keep in mind. There's amphipods isopods and copepods.

 

[Chefbill]

And you do not necessarily need a fuge to keep pods. It just helps to keep their populations up and give them a place to reproduce without predation

 

[Chefbill]

And I would bet dollars to Donuts that you have pods are ready. Check your class for the tiny tiny copepods at night using a red light. Also check your rocks for the little shrimp like critters running around at night those are your amphipods

 

[ahiggins]

Yup.
Look for amphipods for the bigger fish.
Something to keep in mind. There's amphipods isopods and copepods.

So I heard isopods are actually bad....

 

[ahiggins]

hmm Ill do all that tonight :D

Im putting chaeto in my frag tank tonight to help with nutrient uptake...all I have in there is an emerald crab and a trimma goby. How long will it take to notice if I have any pods in there?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So I heard isopods are actually bad....

No. there bad in each actually. If you have a very sting stomach google image search parasitic.......

 

[ahiggins]

anything parasitic is bound to bring up bad memories hahaha

 

[Reef Nutrition]

I would recommend adding a variety of species of copepods; mainly the harpactacoids and some cyclopoid species are applicable. Stay away from any calanoid species as they will just drift around the tank, getting pummeled by the pumps and killed in the filtration. Good, benthic species are as follows: Nitokra lucustris, Apocyclops panamensis, Tigriopus californicus and Tisbe biminensis, Euterpina acutifrons. You can find some or all of these species from a variety of vendors.

 

[ahiggins]

what exactly do pods DO? are they just food?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

They are some of the bottom bricks of the network of life! :) Some clean up your water, maybe not enough to make a big difference, but they contribute.... (more like the equivalent of a 2 year old trying to clean up his own toys). They also feed both fish and coral, providing them with a beautiful source of extra/varied nutrients.

 

[Brew12]

They are some of the bottom bricks of the network of life! :) Some clean up your water, maybe not enough to make a difference, but they contribute.... (more like the equivalent of a 2 year old trying to clean up his own toys). They also feed both fish and coral, proving them with a beautiful source of extra/varied nutrients.

Never underestimate strength in numbers! I like to think of my pods as a massive, miniature, expendable and tasty work force!

 

[ahiggins]

I just wanted to make sure that I wasnt buying them JUST as an alternate wrasse food lol

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Will your tank thrive without them.... yes. Will your tank benefit from having a healthier population of them... yes. :-)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

what exactly do pods DO? are they just food?

It's what most like them for. They are also beneficial as clean up crew.

A note. When folks report pod blooms is beacuase threa a lot of extra available food in the tank. They bloom and eat it up.

 

[ahiggins]

It's what most like them for. They are also beneficial as clean up crew.

A note. When folks report pod blooms is beacuase threa a lot of extra available food in the tank. They bloom and eat it up.

that makes sense. Ive read of people culturing them with phyto

 

[Reef Nutrition]

that makes sense. Ive read of people culturing them with phyto

I culture copepods full time at Reed Mariculture. I am currently working with Tigriopus californicus (harpactacoid), Apocyclops panamensis (cyclopoid) and Parvocalanus crassirostris (calanoid). We provide copepods to the reef aquarium hobby as well as public aquariums and fish hatcheries. All 3 species do best on a blend of algae. It is much more beneficial to offer them multiple species of algae so that they get a variety in their diet making them highly nutritious. They are fun little bugs to work with!

Chad

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I culture copepods full time at Reed Mariculture. I am currently working with Tigriopus californicus (harpactacoid), Apocyclops panamensis (cyclopoid) and Parvocalanus crassirostris (calanoid). We provide copepods to the reef aquarium hobby as well as public aquariums and fish hatcheries. All 3 species do best on a blend of algae. It is much more beneficial to offer them multiple species of algae so that they get a variety in their diet making them highly nutritious. They are fun little bugs to work with!

Chad

Love your work btw Chad. Long time customer here.