Save the pods!

[Mike N]

When doing maintenance (water change/clean sandbed) I always notice tons of pods in the dirty water. I always have fished out the amphipods before ditching the water, but I'd like to be able to save the copepods as well.
Anyone have any tips/strategies for accomplishing this?

 

[Dsnakes]

That's a good question. I wonder if you could let the dirty water settle and pods collect to sides/bottom of bucket. The siphon dirty water to new bucket and pour fresh salt water to pod covered bucket to pour in tank/sump. Lots of work for( ;)already dreaded) water change task

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

You could likely build some sort of filter to catch them, perhaps even use one of those fish nets designed for bettas and such with the super tiny mesh.

 

[Mike N]

That's a good question. I wonder if you could let the dirty water settle and pods collect to sides/bottom of bucket. The siphon dirty water to new bucket and pour fresh salt water to pod covered bucket to pour in tank/sump. Lots of work for( ;)already dreaded) water change task

Yes, that would add to the workload a bit, probably worth the time to most hobby addicted ppl like myself

You could likely build some sort of filter to catch them, perhaps even use one of those fish nets designed for bettas and such with the super tiny mesh.

Thats a smart idea, I'll check out that net.

 

[JoshKReef]

I've been researching growing pods in a bucket and you can buy what it called a pod sieve. They are on eBay for 10-20 bucks.

 

[Mike N]

I've been researching growing pods in a bucket and you can buy what it called a pod sieve. They are on eBay for 10-20 bucks.

Thanks, this is perfectly suited for the task.

 

[JoshKReef]

Thanks, this is perfectly suited for the task.

Make sure you get the size that can catch babies and adults.

 

[Mike N]

Make sure you get the size that can catch babies and adults.

Yeah, that was going to be my next question: What size should I get?
53/120/250 micron?

 

[JoshKReef]

Yeah, that was going to be my next question: What size should I get?
53/120/250 micron?

I believe 53 will get them all. The higher ones are if you want to leave baby / eggs in your culture setting. You are trying to preserve everything, so you want 53.

 

[Mike N]

Great, thanks for the link/advice.