Copepods

[fncracing]

ok here is my question. I am trying to populate my refugium with copepods for my mandarin. I purchased four bottles of copepods and put half a bottle in refugium first day. How often should i put more in. I have them stored in the fridge and adding some phyoplankton every two days to the bottles and everyday to the refugium. Any adivice on this would be appreciated.
Thank you

 

[misu]

You should not keep them in the fridge, they're probably dead by now

 

[pufferchris]

If you put them in your tank (pods) they will reproduce and populate on there own

 

[fncracing]

should i dump all 4 bottles at once or just a few at a time what is best method

 

[misu]

Dump one in the display to feed the mandarin and pour the rest in the refugium... if there's anything alive in the bottles

 

[pamelahaley]

Putthe copes in the display at night so the mandarin doesn't eat them before they breed.

Most stores keep copes in the fridge so, I see why you think it's ok.

You should have waited for a healthy population before getting a mandarin... I learned my lesson.

You can check for your cope population at night by using a flashlight... if they aren't running around everywhere, you don't have enough.

On a side note, mandarins LOVE those little orange sushi eggs... actually, everything does.

 

[fncracing]

i have been putting them in tank for a while had mandarin for about 6 months already just looking for the best way to do the pods thing is all I been adding 4 bottles a month for a while Just trying to get tank where it will produce on its own Looking for the best way

 

[misu]

what size is the tank, how much live rock?

 

[jef4y]

It depends on the type of pods as to how well they fair in the fridge. "Tigger Pods" brand are fine in the fridge.

If you have a fuge area with sand/rock/macro, add them there and every 1-2 days put in a bit of phyto to keep them fed. In my tanks it has generally taken 2-3 months before I really saw a huge population boom.

 

[pamelahaley]

4 bottles a month for 6 months! That fish is expensive. Maybe get some cheato for them to roam in a sump or fuge... When I had a bunch, they thrived in the filter floss.