pods explode one month, scarce next

reefbud · 07/08/2012, 11:44 PM

My tank is 3 months old. About a month or so ago, I had a copipod/amphipod explosion that I reported. The feedback was this is normal. Well, now I don't see any...or I should say they are very hard to find...so hard, that I have not seen any.

So, I am wondering if this is normal. Is it normal to have the population of copipods/amphipods vary this way (ie exploding one month and scarce the next)?

One change in the system is introduction of cyano that I will be addressing...it began about a month ago. Would that impact the pod population?

Patricklong · 07/08/2012, 11:57 PM

Total newb in SW, but do you have something in the tank that could be eating them faster than their reproduction rate?

SushiGirl · 07/09/2012, 12:00 AM

Yes, it's normal. The cyano would be a separate incident. In new tanks, populations of all kinds (including cyano & different algae) will boom then die back to normal due to available nutrients in the system.

rps3 · 07/09/2012, 01:35 AM

yup, normal. same thing happened in my tank as well but I still see them, just not as much

mal7887 · 07/09/2012, 04:26 AM

Also keep in mind that they are much more active at night.

immokalee98 · 07/09/2012, 11:02 AM

Have you tried looking at the tank with a light a few hours after the lights are off? You stand a better chance of seeing them then?

reefbud · 07/11/2012, 08:20 AM

Yes, I watch pretty closely around the clock...the activity was just way down to non-existent compared to before so I thought I would ask. But, its sounds like its normal. Thanks.

mthomp · 07/11/2012, 08:23 AM

Pods are all but on exitant in my 2 year old tank as well. I think my wrasses eat tem up rather quickly.

Steve175 · 07/11/2012, 09:26 PM

Normal circle of life/cycle of tank

Michigan Mike · 07/12/2012, 03:03 AM

If you have no predators I'm sure if you start feeding a bit more they will repopulate again. My tank at around the same age had a big drop in pods but a month later they are coming back in full force. Yay

masonicman · 07/12/2012, 04:33 AM

Do you have a fuge? This will help. A place for them to reproduce without predators. Research the benefits of a refugium.

reefbud · 07/12/2012, 09:24 AM

No, I don't really have the type of fish that eat pods. Yes, I have a fuge. Earlier the pods had circulated (or populated right in the DT) where you could see many on the glass...but none lately.

SushiGirl · 07/12/2012, 09:39 AM

All fish will eat pods, some more than others & some exclusively. Once fish are added to the tank, the pods will hide. We used to have a huge amphipod population in our fuge a year ago, then they just almost all disappeared. The population boomed again a month later. Same thing happened a couple months ago when our chaeto diappeared, so we got more chaeto from a couple of local reefers & they're booming again. Always good to get "new blood" in there!

jerpa · 07/12/2012, 09:53 AM

As stated any fish will eat pods and don't underestimate their ability to hide. You will almost never see a pod in my DT unless you search long after lights out with a red flashlight. Then I usually see plenty on the rocks. As soon as the first light enters the room I can literally watch them run for cover. What I do know is the pods in the refugium are well aware there are no predators around. They meander the rock regardless of whether the lights are on or not.

SushiGirl · 07/12/2012, 09:58 AM

They wander all over my fuge too, along with the white micro brittle stars. The mini brittle stars head for cover as soon as the light comes on, though. I love catching them out when it's time to turn the light on LOL. The isopods in the DT wander around all day, they don't seem to care.

07/08/2012, 11:44 PM	#1
reefbud Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 117	pods explode one month, scarce next My tank is 3 months old. About a month or so ago, I had a copipod/amphipod explosion that I reported. The feedback was this is normal. Well, now I don't see any...or I should say they are very hard to find...so hard, that I have not seen any. So, I am wondering if this is normal. Is it normal to have the population of copipods/amphipods vary this way (ie exploding one month and scarce the next)? One change in the system is introduction of cyano that I will be addressing...it began about a month ago. Would that impact the pod population?

07/09/2012, 12:00 AM	#3
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Yes, it's normal. The cyano would be a separate incident. In new tanks, populations of all kinds (including cyano & different algae) will boom then die back to normal due to available nutrients in the system. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

07/09/2012, 04:26 AM	#5
mal7887 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 643	Also keep in mind that they are much more active at night. __________________ Matt Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. Current Tank Info: 190

07/11/2012, 09:26 PM	#9
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	Normal circle of life/cycle of tank __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

07/12/2012, 04:33 AM	#11
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	Do you have a fuge? This will help. A place for them to reproduce without predators. Research the benefits of a refugium. __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

07/08/2012, 11:57 PM	#2
Patricklong Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cypress TX Posts: 224	Total newb in SW, but do you have something in the tank that could be eating them faster than their reproduction rate?

07/09/2012, 01:35 AM	#4
rps3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 676	yup, normal. same thing happened in my tank as well but I still see them, just not as much

07/09/2012, 11:02 AM	#6
immokalee98 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 54	Have you tried looking at the tank with a light a few hours after the lights are off? You stand a better chance of seeing them then?

07/11/2012, 08:20 AM	#7
reefbud Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 117	Yes, I watch pretty closely around the clock...the activity was just way down to non-existent compared to before so I thought I would ask. But, its sounds like its normal. Thanks.

07/11/2012, 08:23 AM	#8
mthomp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 766	Pods are all but on exitant in my 2 year old tank as well. I think my wrasses eat tem up rather quickly.

07/12/2012, 03:03 AM	#10
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	If you have no predators I'm sure if you start feeding a bit more they will repopulate again. My tank at around the same age had a big drop in pods but a month later they are coming back in full force. Yay

07/12/2012, 09:24 AM	#12
reefbud Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 117	No, I don't really have the type of fish that eat pods. Yes, I have a fuge. Earlier the pods had circulated (or populated right in the DT) where you could see many on the glass...but none lately.

07/12/2012, 09:39 AM	#13
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	All fish will eat pods, some more than others & some exclusively. Once fish are added to the tank, the pods will hide. We used to have a huge amphipod population in our fuge a year ago, then they just almost all disappeared. The population boomed again a month later. Same thing happened a couple months ago when our chaeto diappeared, so we got more chaeto from a couple of local reefers & they're booming again. Always good to get "new blood" in there! __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

07/12/2012, 09:53 AM	#14
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	As stated any fish will eat pods and don't underestimate their ability to hide. You will almost never see a pod in my DT unless you search long after lights out with a red flashlight. Then I usually see plenty on the rocks. As soon as the first light enters the room I can literally watch them run for cover. What I do know is the pods in the refugium are well aware there are no predators around. They meander the rock regardless of whether the lights are on or not. __________________ Jer Current Tank Info: 40b basement sump, 40b refugium, 30g frag

07/12/2012, 09:58 AM	#15
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	They wander all over my fuge too, along with the white micro brittle stars. The mini brittle stars head for cover as soon as the light comes on, though. I love catching them out when it's time to turn the light on LOL. The isopods in the DT wander around all day, they don't seem to care. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank