Adding pods to a dry rock tank

[bigfruits]

Hello,

I am in the process of cycling a 120g aquarium with about 125lbs of dry rock inside.

The first thing I would like to introduce to the tank are pods. I would like to get a breeding colony going inside of the tank so that I can add a Green Mandarin in the future. The aquarium will house small peaceful fish, shrimp and crabs and will not contain coral. There is no sump.

Where would you recommend that I purchase the pods from? Should I add different kinds from different retailers to get a good variety?

Should I feed the pods flake fish food or would it be better to purchase pod specific food until I get a breeding colony going?

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
-Z

 

[Shawn O]

Probably going to need to wait until there is a little bit of algae on the rocks before adding or they'll likely starve and die out.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Create a small area with a pile of small rubble rock as a 'breeding' area where the pods will be safe from all fish in the tank. Maybe even add some chaeto or some other macro algae in the same area. Make it easily accessible for you to harvest the algae if it starts to grow out more than you want.

 

[bigfruits]

Thanks, guys.

I have a large rubble pile in a back corner that I will "turkey baste" when doing water changes.

A friend is giving me some chaeto, I am thinking of building a little box with some eggcrate to keep it on the rubble pile with a power head near it. Might add screen to the box if small fish are swimming into the eggcrate to pick off pods...

I will take your advice and let a bit of algae grow before adding some Tisbe pods to the rubble pile. I might crush some flake food up and blow it into the pile every few days.

Thanks,
-Z

 

[MikeyAl]

I would shoot some phyto in there occasionally. I have cultured my one pods and have seen them grow like crazy when I fed them phyto. Don't go crazy with it though.
Ps. Culturing your own phyto and pods is pretty easy if you have patience.


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[bigfruits]

I will try a bit of phyto in the DT.
What technique do you use to move the pods to the DT when culturing in a separate tank?

Ive thought about trying to culture in a 5.5g but I am trying to keep this as simple as possible - 1 aquarium (when the I no longer need the QT), no sump, hang on skimmer (Reef Octopus) and lots of rock. viewing light only, phosguard or gfo. 20% WC every 2 or 3 wks with tap water using a python hose!

 

[MikeyAl]

Adding pods to a dry rock tank

I will try a bit of phyto in the DT.
What technique do you use to move the pods to the DT when culturing in a separate tank?

Ive thought about trying to culture in a 5.5g but I am trying to keep this as simple as possible - 1 aquarium (when the I no longer need the QT), no sump, hang on skimmer (Reef Octopus) and lots of rock. viewing light only, phosguard or gfo. 20% WC every 2 or 3 wks with tap water using a python hose!

I use a 5 gall bucket with a spout. I make sure to keep the water tinted green with photo. When I want to transfer I will open the drain and run through a screen. The pods are then transferred off the screen to another small container is water from DT and let in after lights go out.
You just need airline and phyto and properly sizes mesh.

http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/c90/Raising-Live-Rotifers-Copepods-c199.html




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[Brieninsac]

Why do you sift the copepods out and not just pour the water they're in into the DT?

 

[MikeyAl]

Why do you sift the copepods out and not just pour the water they're in into the DT?

You could. I prefer not to add more than necessary to my DT. But I know others do.
I also like to pour instead of just scoop so I can replace the water and more phyto. Keeps it fresher IMO.


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[gallegos]

I wouldn't do or add anything. They will populate themselves

 

[bigfruits]

Ive read an article and several forum posts that said that Tisbe pods will actually reproduce faster if fed crushed pellets instead of phyto. Ill probably try to let them multiply directly in the DT and try a separate container if I fail.

 

[MikeyAl]

I wouldn't do or add anything. They will populate themselves

Okay. Good luck. From my experiences with a sixline and 2 mandarines that my population was quickly demolished. But go for it.


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[Whiterabbitrage]

I had a mandarin and wrasses in my last tank, and the pod colonies were stable. I did something similar to what you are planning, Bigfruits. I got several types of pods:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=2190+3058&pcatid=3058
Then I added no fish for several months. The pods grew and multiplied till the tank was full. I knew it was time to add fish when I could see pods colonizing every rock. Use a red flashlight to check at night. I think I gave it four months before I added any fish but it was worth it!!