Questions about copepods

[DEE’S reef]

When should I add them my tank is like a month or two old I’ve had my fish for a month and I have a decent amount of greeen algae in the tank.
I also want some fish that eat copepod when should I add copepod how and where should I add them in the tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd add them now if the goal is to have enough to usefully supply fish such as a mandarin. It takes time for them to build up.

I also add phytoplankton daily to feed them and promote their growth to feed my mandarin.

 

[Crabs McJones]

If you have algae growth you can add pods. I turn off all pumps and dump them into the tank after floating the bottle for temp. If you have a sump/back chamber, add some back there as well.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I plan on adding a six lines wrass and I heard they like to eat pod should I add one bottle and they should be fine and start multiplying.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I have a 80 gallon tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The wrasse will likely deplete them a lot, but luckily, if does not need pods. It will eat regular fish food.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I would like a mandarin but I heard there hard to keep like they need perfect conditions and they mess with corals and things nut sure if the second parts true but I might wait a while before I get if I get one not sure

 

[DEE’S reef]

But do think one bottle will be good and do I need anything for the pods to eat or will they eat the green algae and detritus

 

[DEE’S reef]

But do think one bottle will be good and do I need anything for the pods to eat or will they eat the green algae and detritus

So my local fish store sell 6 oz bottles for 22$ do you think one bottle good for a 80 gallon

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A bottle could have one or hundreds or thousands in it. Can't judge that. you can also get them from local hobbyists who raise them (probably what the store does plus a markup). Some Reef2Reef sponsors also sell them, such as Dinkins.

I personally would not spend money on pods just for a wrasse.

I have not heard of mandarins messing with corals. Mine certainly does not.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I might get a mandarin they look cool do you have any problems with them or what the key to keeping them
Also where should I look for pods would you buy pods from another reefer

 

[oakcityreefer]

Not Dinkins fault but if you order from them right now they arent shipping because they got hit hard by weather. So dont expect them quickly right now. They have been keeping customers updated and I understand they cant ship. Great customer service but they dont control the weather.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I might get a mandarin they look cool do you have any problems with them or what the key to keeping them
Also where should I look for pods would you buy pods from another reefer

I have a large tank (120 display) with a ton of pods and dose phyto to keep them growing, but otherwise the mandarin takes no care from me.,

 

[DEE’S reef]

Also is there ideal parameters pods like?

 

[DEE’S reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley here’s my parameters for the last 3 weeks since I first got my Red Sea test kit and I’ve had a little problem with the ammonia going up and down do you think my parameters are good for pods to add them now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If ammonia is 0 or 0.2, its fine. If that number is 2 ppm, that's not fine.

 

[DEE’S reef]

So I’ll be fine to go to my lfs and buy pods and add them today also Randy you seem wise about these thing will the pods I’m getting Tiger pods will they eat green algae and is there a way to get the green algae to die down.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I’ll be fine to go to my lfs and buy pods and add them today also Randy you seem wise about these thing will the pods I’m getting Tiger pods will they eat green algae and is there a way to get the green algae to die down.

I do not claim to be a pod expert. I know folks sometimes claim that pods eat green algae, and some types probably do, but I do not recall anyone ever solving any algae problem by adding pods.

 

[twentyleagues]

So I’ll be fine to go to my lfs and buy pods and add them today also Randy you seem wise about these thing will the pods I’m getting Tiger pods will they eat green algae and is there a way to get the green algae to die down.

Personally I would get pods and phyto from Dinkins or Reef by Steele. Both have good products and I have used them both. You will get a mix of pod types from them along with a blended phyto mix this will give you the best chances, besides providing live foods for some fish pods are an important part of your cuc. Being as cold as its been lately you will likely have to wait a couple weeks for temps to increase before either will ship. It wouldnt hurt to get amphipods from them as well cuc powerhouses and most fish will eat them as well as they are larger then copepods. Most commonly sold pods need no special water conditions if fish and corals can survive pods can as well.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I do not claim to be a pod expert. I know folks sometimes claim that pods eat green algae, and some types probably do, but I do not recall anyone ever solving any algae problem by adding pods.

Can they survive on algae or do I need to add food for them