Question about Copepods

[MusicCityExotic]

Hey guys, I have a question about copepods. We use the DT's refrigerated phytoplankton about once a week. We spot feed our corals with Reef Chili, and we put in a bag of reef pods a while back. We have a Mandarin Goby and he seems to be doing fine, but my question is, how can you tell how many copepods you actually have in the tank? I just want to make sure that the levels are being maintained without finding out by having a dead Mandarin.

Thanks for the help!

Greg and Heather

 

[Pickupman66]

best way I can say is to look at the tank at night with a flashlight. you can then see how many.

I dont think they will come out for a government census!

I checked mine last night and had a bunch that were HUGE! like too big for the 6 line or a Manderin to eat. one almost a 1/2" long!!!

 

[MVlk]

+1 for night time observation with a flashlight. Red lens preferably. Whenever I check mine it is amazing how many there are.

 

[Pickupman66]

true.. I saw some that were big enough to dip in coctail sauce.

 

[poolkeeper1]

They are most likely plentiful as they breed quite fast and can actually become too many if you have no predators like a Mandarin or Six line Wrasse or some kind of pod eating fish.
Bill

 

[MusicCityExotic]

Awesome, thanks for the help! Also, I had another random question about the DT's refrigerated phytoplankton. I have heard very mixed things about the value of the refrigerated phytoplankton... Some say that it is a rip-off because they won't survive the refrigeration, and others swear they are great. I saw there was a booth for them at the frag swap but I never got a chance to talk to the guy about them... So what do you all think?

 

[Pickupman66]

DT's didnt have a booth but they did donate to the swap. send me a PM and ill give you their email

 

[poolkeeper1]

Fish Poo does the same thing, Mother nature knows best as no one doses the ocean with DT's JMO
Bill

 

[commonstranger]

If you ever want more of them just make some rock rubble piles in the corners of your tank out of the way. Bill is right they will breed like crazy. The reason for the piles is if you do have a predator for them they have a good place to hide and breed to keep the tank populated.