How to establish copepods in refugium

[NancyT3]

Hi- I have previously added copepods to the DT and to the refugium, but am adding more to refugium. I am also adding in Phytofeast to try to feed the buggers. Here are some questions -- Do I need a light over the refugium? Is it better to seed the refugium or add to DT or do both? still learning and appreciate all your advice on this. Thanks, Nancy

 

[griss]

I use a cheap LED grow light from Amazon over my fuge similar to this. Most refugiums utilize various macroalgae to lower nitrates and phosphates. So, IMO, I would add one. Plus, it will help to grow microalgae in the fuge the the pods can eat.

 

[NancyT3]

I use a cheap LED grow light from Amazon over my fuge similar to this. Most refugiums utilize various macroalgae to lower nitrates and phosphates. So, IMO, I would add one. Plus, it will help to grow microalgae in the fuge the the pods can eat.

Thanks!

 

[griss]

Thanks!

You’re very welcome.

 

[NancyT3]

OK so I have my refugium with the lights, you suggested and a handful of chaeto tumbling in it. The refugium is absolutely horrid looking, so some sea creature would see it as wonderful. I have put in Galaxy pods from Algae barn, that were living when received plus some phyto food. I do not see any pods yet -- just having a hard time getting them started. How many pod doses do you add to your tank and how often?

 

[griss]

I've never used Galaxy pods before so, I can't really provide guidance there. I prefer Amphipods, Mysis and whatever bugs come with live rock. IPSF is a good source for refugium algae and critters. You can also get live Mysis from here.

 

[shred5]

Copepods do not need light directly, I grow them in 5 gallon buckets with lids and no lights.
When adding copepods make sure they are the kind that can survive in a reef aquarium. Most sold in the hobby are nothing more than food and wont last. Most were selected for fish or invert breeding and spend their time in the water column where the fish will eat them or the pumps will.

The only copepod I know that is sold in the hobby that will survive in a reef for a length of time is Tisbe.


Honestly the best way to introduce them is with some live rock. You want ones that crawl around. You can introduce so many this way. Honestly my refugium is teaming with different pods without ever adding any. One of the best pods is munnid isopod. They reproduce so rapidly.

 

[shred5]

OK so I have my refugium with the lights, you suggested and a handful of chaeto tumbling in it. The refugium is absolutely horrid looking, so some sea creature would see it as wonderful. I have put in Galaxy pods from Algae barn, that were living when received plus some phyto food. I do not see any pods yet -- just having a hard time getting them started. How many pod doses do you add to your tank and how often?

Yea looked these up.

This is a mix.
Good news is has tisbe in it. Matter of fact it is the only one on their site listed "Their secretive nature helps them to maintain lasting populations in marine aquaria."

Tigger pods can last a while but eventually will disappear. They are about 50/50 water vs crawling. They are larger which makes them easier to hunt by fish. They are hardy. I grow these by the thousands as food for my pipefish.

Apoc wont survive.

I know nothing of the other two in that mix but reading about them sounds not much different than apoc.

 

[NancyT3]

Thank you. I do have live rock in my refugium too. OK I will keep adding them and hope they pick up sometime.
Also do any of you put snails in your refugium?