AC 50 as a mini-refug

GT350pwns · 02/13/2014, 07:49 AM

I've had my tank set up for around a week now (still have a bit until everything is good to go) and there are a couple of fish that I would like to have who have pods as a part of their diet. Ways of culturing my own pods have been going through my mind, but I'm kind of cash strapped and a separate tank isn't really an option. My searching led me to the AC70 mod as a mini-fug and this got me curious as to whether or not the 50 would be of sufficient enough size to allow copepods to have some safe haven for reproduction.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

FrozenSurfer · 02/13/2014, 09:43 AM

I'm going to approach this carefully. What size tank are we talking here?

GT350pwns · 02/13/2014, 10:01 AM

36 gal bowfront.

I know it's nothing that's going to sustain a population of pods permanently, but something to lessen the frequency of putting pods into the system. I also realize that, for the sake of the fish, it'll probably be best to only keep one that likes to snack on pods.

FrozenSurfer · 02/13/2014, 10:18 AM

Ok, I'm now at a "maybe" depending on the fish you want to keep. What are you looking at?

GT350pwns · 02/13/2014, 10:37 AM

I was originally looking at a black capped basslet, but i don't know how well it would mesh with a gold assessor basslet (one I would much rather have over any other type of basslet). I'm also captivated by the mandarin gobies. My LFS has a couple that are kept in tanks around the size of mine and have "been there for awhile" who look fat and happy.

Sugar Magnolia · 02/13/2014, 10:48 AM

Your tank is much too small for a mandarin. They are voracious feeders, snacking on pods all day long. They need large, well established tanks for long term health.

If you want to make a fuge the 70 model would be a better choice since it's bigger.

FrozenSurfer · 02/13/2014, 11:38 AM

^ what he said

GT350pwns · 02/13/2014, 11:51 AM

even spot feeding them with nutramar ova 2-3 times a day?

Sugar Magnolia · 02/13/2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT350pwns

even spot feeding them with nutramar ova 2-3 times a day?

No, because their main source of food is pods. In that size tank they will quickly decimate the pod population faster than you can replenish them, then slowly starve to death.

It's my opinion, if one cannot provide an optimum environment for a specific fish, one should not keep that fish. There are plenty of other, colorful fish suitable for your tank size.

GT350pwns · 02/13/2014, 12:41 PM

I can understand and respect that opinion.

02/13/2014, 07:49 AM	#1
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	AC 50 as a mini-refug I've had my tank set up for around a week now (still have a bit until everything is good to go) and there are a couple of fish that I would like to have who have pods as a part of their diet. Ways of culturing my own pods have been going through my mind, but I'm kind of cash strapped and a separate tank isn't really an option. My searching led me to the AC70 mod as a mini-fug and this got me curious as to whether or not the 50 would be of sufficient enough size to allow copepods to have some safe haven for reproduction. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

02/13/2014, 10:48 AM	#6
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Your tank is much too small for a mandarin. They are voracious feeders, snacking on pods all day long. They need large, well established tanks for long term health. If you want to make a fuge the 70 model would be a better choice since it's bigger. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

02/13/2014, 09:43 AM	#2
FrozenSurfer Here Fishy Fishy Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 482	I'm going to approach this carefully. What size tank are we talking here?

02/13/2014, 10:01 AM	#3
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	36 gal bowfront. I know it's nothing that's going to sustain a population of pods permanently, but something to lessen the frequency of putting pods into the system. I also realize that, for the sake of the fish, it'll probably be best to only keep one that likes to snack on pods.

02/13/2014, 10:18 AM	#4
FrozenSurfer Here Fishy Fishy Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 482	Ok, I'm now at a "maybe" depending on the fish you want to keep. What are you looking at?

02/13/2014, 10:37 AM	#5
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	I was originally looking at a black capped basslet, but i don't know how well it would mesh with a gold assessor basslet (one I would much rather have over any other type of basslet). I'm also captivated by the mandarin gobies. My LFS has a couple that are kept in tanks around the size of mine and have "been there for awhile" who look fat and happy.

02/13/2014, 11:38 AM	#7
FrozenSurfer Here Fishy Fishy Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 482	^ what he said

02/13/2014, 11:51 AM	#8
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	even spot feeding them with nutramar ova 2-3 times a day?

02/13/2014, 12:41 PM	#10
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	I can understand and respect that opinion.