Copepod farming

Brieninsac · 03/02/2018, 07:00 PM

I'm taking a second attempt at raising copepods. I bought an active bottle of tiger copepods, acclimated them and then add them to a gallon of tank water in a bucket with an air-stone.

At first the copepods appeared active but on day 5 there are very few swimming with most on the bottom, not moving. So my question is are they dead or is this normal for their propagation?

The only things I could think of is the room they're in doesn't get a lot of light and the temp is around 70 degrees since there's no heater in the bucket. I've also been feeding them a few drops of Phyto-phest daily and the water has a light green tint.

Subsea · 03/02/2018, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieninsac

I'm taking a second attempt at raising copepods. I bought an active bottle of tiger copepods, acclimated them and then add them to a gallon of tank water in a bucket with an air-stone.

At first the copepods appeared active but on day 5 there are very few swimming with most on the bottom, not moving. So my question is are they dead or is this normal for their propagation?

The only things I could think of is the room they're in doesn't get a lot of light and the temp is around 70 degrees since there's no heater in the bucket. I've also been feeding them a few drops of Phyto-phest daily and the water has a light green tint.

Not normal. Tigre pods can handle the cold. I consider copepods as detrivores. Try a little flake food.

Bongo Shrimp · 03/03/2018, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieninsac

I'm taking a second attempt at raising copepods. I bought an active bottle of tiger copepods, acclimated them and then add them to a gallon of tank water in a bucket with an air-stone.

At first the copepods appeared active but on day 5 there are very few swimming with most on the bottom, not moving. So my question is are they dead or is this normal for their propagation?

The only things I could think of is the room they're in doesn't get a lot of light and the temp is around 70 degrees since there's no heater in the bucket. I've also been feeding them a few drops of Phyto-phest daily and the water has a light green tint.

I would remove the airstone, tint the water a little more and then leave it for a few days, only topping off as needed. Tigriopus are tideopool animals which do not need aeration and are perfectly happy at 70F. Give them a little time, some may have died off from the initial introduction, but as long as there's some alive they will reproduce.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subsea

I consider copepods as detrivores.

You can't just broadly consider all copepods detritivores. Some are indeed detritivores, but some only eat phytoplankton, and some are predators.

Brieninsac · 03/03/2018, 03:53 PM

Ok, so last night I threw in a single large flake of food. It was still floating this morning. I bought a fresh bottle of phyto-feast as I realized my bottle expired 6 months ago. I added some more to make it a little more green, can barely see the bottom now. The air-stone is only putting out a bubble or two per second. I also bought another bottle of tigger pods and added them after acclimating the temp. Will continue to monitor.

Bongo Shrimp · 03/03/2018, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieninsac

Ok, so last night I threw in a single large flake of food. It was still floating this morning. I bought a fresh bottle of phyto-feast as I realized my bottle expired 6 months ago. I added some more to make it a little more green, can barely see the bottom now. The air-stone is only putting out a bubble or two per second. I also bought another bottle of tigger pods and added them after acclimating the temp. Will continue to monitor.

Ok I would take out the flake food if you can and then just let it be for at least a week and monitor the amount of phyto in there. The super low aeration should be fine, just don't boil them.

gogo7 · 03/03/2018, 04:06 PM

i think they like bacters too. split them if you can, or do a smaller setup, a jar, pop bottle, and try a few experiments. i found my pods would eat everything. siphon some crap out of your dt and try a setup with that as well...you'll surprise yourself with what you learn and what you can tell us back.

elecbzerk · 03/06/2018, 04:32 AM

Try adding some live phyto

Steveb · 03/06/2018, 08:28 AM

You might also want to test ammonia level.

03/02/2018, 07:00 PM	#1
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	Copepod farming I'm taking a second attempt at raising copepods. I bought an active bottle of tiger copepods, acclimated them and then add them to a gallon of tank water in a bucket with an air-stone. At first the copepods appeared active but on day 5 there are very few swimming with most on the bottom, not moving. So my question is are they dead or is this normal for their propagation? The only things I could think of is the room they're in doesn't get a lot of light and the temp is around 70 degrees since there's no heater in the bucket. I've also been feeding them a few drops of Phyto-phest daily and the water has a light green tint. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

03/03/2018, 03:53 PM	#4
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	Ok, so last night I threw in a single large flake of food. It was still floating this morning. I bought a fresh bottle of phyto-feast as I realized my bottle expired 6 months ago. I added some more to make it a little more green, can barely see the bottom now. The air-stone is only putting out a bubble or two per second. I also bought another bottle of tigger pods and added them after acclimating the temp. Will continue to monitor. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

03/06/2018, 08:28 AM	#8
Steveb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,090	You might also want to test ammonia level. __________________ Steve My Tanks 50x30 ABS Tub & a 48x24 frag tank at the moment Steve's Reef 265 Build In Progress

03/03/2018, 04:06 PM	#6
gogo7 pico reefer Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: ontario canada Posts: 435	i think they like bacters too. split them if you can, or do a smaller setup, a jar, pop bottle, and try a few experiments. i found my pods would eat everything. siphon some crap out of your dt and try a setup with that as well...you'll surprise yourself with what you learn and what you can tell us back.

03/06/2018, 04:32 AM	#7
elecbzerk Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 470	Try adding some live phyto