A MASSIVE pod tank endeavor...

G

gREEF stricken

New member
Greetings Fellow diversity nuts...

So I have a 75 gal stock tank I want to convert to a massive pod culture tank. Lots of rock, macros and pods Pods PODS!!!! Want as many symbiotic little edible critters as I can stuff in...I know the basics but wanted any input you might have...Thx

GS
 
I'll be following this one. The production of pods in my 350g total system has eluded me. Massive amounts of rock, large sump (with more rocks) and a fuge with a DSB have thus far produced various other critters, but very few pods. Today's research will be focused on using some of my other tanks for raising pods. I hope you get lots of great info.
 
May want to consider a reversed under gravel filter the entire length of the tank with a layer of dolomite gravel on top. I've found that to be the most effective in my tanks at producing various critters especially various pods.

Then how pretty do you want the tank to be or nasty? Lots of rock and algaes on top would be the prettiest. Phyto cultures constantly fed. Or just turn the tank into a swamp of algae blooms everywhere would probably be the most effective.
 
I have read tons of posts regarding small tank projects for pods. I wonder if anyone has ever tried an experiment on the magnitude you're talking about? I have a 30 gallon that I was thinking about using but now think I will go the small tank route and perhaps try four small tanks around the 2 to 3 gallon range and alternate weekly with water changes. That apparently has worked for numerous members. Good luck with your large tank approach. I will still follow because I'm curious to see how well it works.
 
I can give you guys a tip based on my experience with growing pods: The amount you get depends on the amount of food available. Thats the limiting factor. Benthic harpacticoids and cyclopoids grow well in the same culture vessel as the phytoplankton they feed on. So if you make F/2 algae growth medium, fill it in the tank and seed with phyto and pods you will have max pod concentration in about 5 weeks. Use air bubbling, no pumps that can crush them.
 
"F/2 growth medium" is seawater with some nutrients added to it. You buy the nutrients for example these: Micro Algae Grow Mass Pack. Then you mix that into a certain amount of RO water. You then have a "stock solution". For each gallon of seawater in the tank you add a certain number of milliliters of the stock solution to get seawater with a nice concentration of nutrients for algae to grow in.
 
norskfisk said:
"F/2 growth medium" is seawater with some nutrients added to it. You buy the nutrients for example these: Micro Algae Grow Mass Pack. Then you mix that into a certain amount of RO water. You then have a "stock solution". For each gallon of seawater in the tank you add a certain number of milliliters of the stock solution to get seawater with a nice concentration of nutrients for algae to grow in.
Click to expand...

I bought the "micro algae". I have been splitting my Phyto cultures, topping off gallon jugs with fresh SW. Then add 2ml of MA and it's ready in a week. Same thing?
 
Ok, this tank is online. Got a steal of a deal on healthy mature rock today. Gonna let it simmer a week or two and seed it real well.

Suggestions on what all to add?

GS
 
I started a pod tank a week ago. I'm using a ten gallon with about two and a half gallons of water and one air stone. I have about 50 tigger pods and 3,500 pods from algae barn in there. The phyto I'm using is their 4 phyto blend but I'm culturing my own Nannochloropsis. My biggest problem is nobody anywhere can tell me how much phyto to put in the water except for vague comments like "green water" or mellow yellow color. Dang it, tell me how many ounces.....LOL. I know the 4 way mix needs less
 
Ok, I can use Google just like the rest, but I'm asking a community I'm a part of for personal experience. My massive pod tank is up and running, I have lots of rock, 3" of Cichlid sand and gallon zippy or twos worth of mature macro from a sump. Two powerheads and steady 78 deg temps. Where will I get the most bang for my buck for seed pods? My goal is as much diversity in this culture as possible, so copepods and amphipods. Already culture phyto at home...let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks

GS
 
gREEF stricken said:
Ok, I can use Google just like the rest, but I'm asking a community I'm a part of for personal experience. My massive pod tank is up and running, I have lots of rock, 3" of Cichlid sand and gallon zippy or twos worth of mature macro from a sump. Two powerheads and steady 78 deg temps. Where will I get the most bang for my buck for seed pods? My goal is as much diversity in this culture as possible, so copepods and amphipods. Already culture phyto at home...let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks

GS
Click to expand...
hey greef...
just my two cents, but i'd get rid of the powerheads and just use air pumps.
copepods love bacteria. and i'd use fine foods to feed the tank, like yeast and live phyto. which you've got. have you got worms?
 
Of what worms do u speak? So far just the remnants of some "reef soup" and the inhabitants of the live rock...I think there might be a bristle or two in the cheato I put in but nothing intentional

GS
 
i have a lot of sketty worms in the sand bed. they make piles of detritus. and those piles have lots and lots of harp. copepods crawling all over them. lots of tiny copepods.

if you wanna culture copepods, i've got a few methods that don't involve large aquariums.
 
I'm very curious about this. I love the biodiversity element of my tank, and so I've been ordering pod packs from different places for diversity.... But I'd love any other options too!
 
Ok for everybody following...I seeded with a bottle of Tiggers and a healthy dose of Amphi's from R's2go. I have been adding live Phyto and Phyto feast every 2-3 days and put an ATO on the system... I go every night after lights out with a flashlight but still see NO real visible signs of critters without really stirring things up...any ideas?

GS
 
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