Mature tank discussion

[schminksbro]

I had to look pretty hard to get any pricing from the site without giving my information but this is what I came across.
http://www.essentiallivefeeds.com/Prices.html

To each their own but with what I spend to maintain my tank I would rather culture wild pods. The chances of getting a serious pest from a ball of chaeto is extremely remote.

Where did you get $75??

I ordered two bottles and my total bill was under $60 with shipping.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I would think you need to start with the question of why they die off. If the tank is healthy (which in your case it obviously is) the cryptic creatures should multiply and flourish. Why have they faded? if you are running a refugium they should continue to multiply. One good and relatively safe way to reintroduce critters such as pods would be to purchase or aquire a ball of chaeto from another tank with a thriving refugium. I don't think most of the bottled stuff will live long or propagate in your system.

In a closed system events occur that can result in a species being extirpated. In my case, many years ago I had to place a PJ cardinal in the refugium to save him from getting beat up. He proceeded to "clean out" the refugium. And if an event doesn't completely wipe them out, competition with other species can bring about their demise. In this case I blame amphipods.

I like the chaeto idea and tried it once but must not have gotten any/enough to establish a population. I also tried red gracilaria from a shop that bragged about the pods that came with the plant. But the salesperson pulled the algae out of the water and bagged it without water...I think most of the pods stayed with the water. I even told him I was buying it to re-seeding my pod population. I think the macroalgae is a good way to boost the small pods but would it be effective for mysid shrimp?

I type too slow!

[schminksbro]

I would try chaeto again but request the water. I would then put the pods in a tupperware or small tank add a flake or 2 of food and culture them. In a week or 2 when you have thousands, introduce them to your sump. They should take off from there. If you look around you can find live mysis. I think Kee's actually sells them. You can culture them as well. Maybe talk to Fishtal. I know he cultures rotifers for his clownfish. He may have some suggestions for you as well.

In a closed system events occur that can result in a species being extirpated. In my case, many years ago I had to place a PJ cardinal in the refugium to save him from getting beat up. He proceeded to "clean out" the refugium. And if an event doesn't completely wipe them out, competition with other species can bring about their demise. In this case I blame amphipods.

I like the chaeto idea and tried it once but must not have gotten any/enough to establish a population. I also tried red gracilaria from a shop that bragged about the pods that came with the plant. But the salesperson pulled the algae out of the water and bagged it without water...I think most of the pods stayed with the water. I even told him I was buying it to re-seeding my pod population. I think the macroalgae is a good way to boost the small pods but would it be effective for mysid shrimp?

I type too slow!

[jojo22]

I had to look pretty hard to get any pricing from the site without giving my information but this is what I came across.
http://www.essentiallivefeeds.com/Prices.html

To each their own but with what I spend to maintain my tank I would rather culture wild pods. The chances of getting a serious pest from a ball of chaeto is extremely remote.

Here is the order page from ocean pods.
http://www.oceanpods.com/order.html


$25 a bottle.

[BeakerBob]

I've found the best way to propagate pods is to gather a handful of clean used oyster or mussel shells and pile them up in a corner of the fuge. The pods will multiply like crazy and be protected from any predators that may be put into the fuge as a form of QT.

Next time anyone goes to Florida, have them pick up a bunch of shells for you. They also double as good support for frags, especially encrusting corals.

[schminksbro]

That's an great suggestion Bob. Thanks!

I've found the best way to propagate pods is to gather a handful of clean used oyster or mussel shells and pile them up in a corner of the fuge. The pods will multiply like crazy and be protected from any predators that may be put into the fuge as a form of QT.

Next time anyone goes to Florida, have them pick up a bunch of shells for you. They also double as good support for frags, especially encrusting corals.

[graphixx]

that is what I did in my fuge... made a few "pod piles"

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I've found the best way to propagate pods is to gather a handful of clean used oyster or mussel shells and pile them up in a corner of the fuge. The pods will multiply like crazy and be protected from any predators that may be put into the fuge as a form of QT.

Good suggestion. I do have rubble piled along the back side of the fuge. Which was not there when the cardinal was. Do you think that would accomplish the same thing, or would shells be better?

[jojo22]

I would think rubble would be fine. I also recall reading somewhere that stacking it to where you can move one piece and toss a few mysis shrimp in the stack is a good idea, it is espouse to keep them in that area and promote them staying and breeding.

If it works I have no idea but the theory sounds good.

[graphixx]

Good suggestion. I do have rubble piled along the back side of the fuge. Which was not there when the cardinal was. Do you think that would accomplish the same thing, or would shells be better?

that is wht I used was just some LR rubble and some old discarded hermit shells... and it worked great.