Copepods not thriving in my sump

[alki]

I have a 45 gallon with a 10 gallon sump. I have it seperated into 3 sections the left skimmer, center return, right refuge.

I have since I started this tank (maybe 10 months ago) added so many fricking copepods to the sump its unreal. They never seem to get going and multiply. I do have a mandarin in the tank, so I dont expect a ton there, but there should be many in my refuge by now, dont you think?..

I have added the "tigger" pods and do have some pods in the tank. Mostly amphipods. I got some phyto feast as the lfs said to feed the tigger pods this, but really this just makes my tank nasty. I might as well just pour skimmer water back in.

I think Im going to get some of the pods that have 3 species from online, but thought I would check here first and see if anyone has the same problems getting these buggers to thrive.



Thanks

 

[returnofsid]

What other fish do you have in your tank? The best way to get a well established population of copepods, is to start establishing them several months before adding any fish at all. Keep in mind that Mandarins are not the only fish that will eat them. In fact, most fish will eat them and very many will eat a lot more of them than any Mandarin is capable of.

 

[luke33]

Alki, it just takes time. I've always had a steady population in my tank, not huge, but steady. Here recently after 3 yrs ive noticed a HUGE population of brime shrimp and pods in my sump. But it took 3 yrs to get this population like this. There's literally thousands of brime just swimming around at all times now. So just be patient, as you can't force a copod population to increase. One thing you could do is set up some rock rubble in your sump corners as it will become a breeding ground for them. Just shoot the rock rubble from time to time with a turkey baster to move the detrius out.

 

[DonW]

First your refugium is very tiny. Tiger pods are more of an extra food source and will not do great in your tank. You need to have them in a culture to keep a constant supply. They are pigs and need both green and brown plankton. Your one manderine is going to keep the population to low before it has a chance to really populate the display.

Don

 

[alki]

I have rubble and chaeto in my small refugium. I dont care about populating the display as I know my fish will keep them in check. (right now a mandarin and a purple firefish only) I just want a some supply to get to the display.


I just read about how the tigger pods usually last about 3-4 days then die. Thats pretty lame as I thought they would breed in a tank as the lfs and the manufacuturer claim. I am going to pick up some of the other type of pods online since the lfs dont carry them. I have tons of other stuff spaghetti worms, bastard bristle worms, amphipods, etc.

 

[DonW]

All pods are only going to populate to the max point of available food source. Tigers have different needs that a tank won't support unless its a nasty tank that why they need a culture tank. With a fuge so small most are going to end up in the display for the mandarine to eat. Even buying amphipods is not going to cure the problem.

Don