Where have all the pods gone ?

[JR8999]

When I first introduced my LR to the DT I saw a good amount of pod activity. I added 2 cleaner shrimp and some snails. I look very closely every day and no longer see any pod activity. Could the cleaners have eaten them? Could they have just died off. Any comments would be appreciated.

[CoralBeauty13]

I'm looking for that same answer. I have them in my sump but the population in the DT has all vanished. I'll keep watching

[JR8999]

I have nothing in my sump but filter socks at this point so I doubt I have an in there. I have a very light bio load. Only 10-15% of my rock is LR.

[vipermaverickk]

Curious to hear an answer, as I seem to be experiencing the same phenomena.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Pods need food.
Phytoplankton is the food they need.
In my thread "Refugia - How and Why" this is explained and there are pics as well.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

Pods need food.
Phytoplankton is the food they need.
In my thread "Refugia - How and Why" this is explained and there are pics as well.

This.

You either need to grow phyto yourself or add something like PhytoFeast (daily).

[oh207]

You will need to add phyto to the tank to feed them and ensure that they continue to grow and multiply. I used to does kent phyto into my tank and had a good population. But I would have to turn the skimmer off for a day or so.
In an established system I don't think any supplemental feeding would be necessary. But it shouldn't hurt.

[davocean]

Chaeto is my preference for macro/pod food.
Most likely there are still plenty there you just don't see, unless you have something that mows through them like wrasses.
Shrimp or snails won't do that.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by davocean

Chaeto is my preference for macro/pod food.

I know they love to breed in it, but can pods actually eat chaeto?

[davocean]

Originally Posted by shermanator

I know they love to breed in it, but can pods actually eat chaeto?

Yes, in fact many online pod suppliers will actually ship w/ a small piece of macro of some kind for that very reason.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by davocean

Yes, in fact many online pod suppliers will actually ship w/ a small piece of macro of some kind for that very reason.

Good to know. I have chaeto in my fuge but I've been feeding the pods there phyto, but I don't like all the nutrients from photo getting added if it's not needed.

[davocean]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Good to know. I have chaeto in my fuge but I've been feeding the pods there phyto, but I don't like all the nutrients from photo getting added if it's not needed.

Yeah I don't dose phyto, no need, chaeto does all I need for pods as well as some nutrient export.
I've had a mated pair of mandy's at least a couple years now, both fat and happy, anthias and a CBB that pick pods occasionally as well.

[thenewguy997]

So when you trim your chaeto that gets all the bad nutrients out right? Friggin awesome.

[m0nkie]

sorry for a little off topic... what do you guys do with the pods crawling on the glass of the DT? If I clean the glass with a magnetic algae scrubber, would it wipe out all the pods on the glass?

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by thenewguy997

So when you trim your chaeto that gets all the bad nutrients out right? Friggin awesome.

in a sense yes. the chaeto will absorb the nutrients in the water column and grow. by removing some chaeto "trimming", your are removing nutrients but at same time allowing the chaeto to continue to grow and absorb more nutrients thats in your water column again. its a continuous cycle if done right... also chaeto should be pulled apart and moved around from time to time. this allows the broken ends from tearing it apart to heal and grow, and by turning over and moving it around. it always the under side of the chaeto to get some light and grow..

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by m0nkie

sorry for a little off topic... what do you guys do with the pods crawling on the glass of the DT? If I clean the glass with a magnetic algae scrubber, would it wipe out all the pods on the glass?

you may kill one or two. but most will move when they sense the water pressure coming at them when the magnet is coming their way. i wouldnt worry about it...

[Uncle Salty 05]

Originally Posted by m0nkie

sorry for a little off topic... what do you guys do with the pods crawling on the glass of the DT? If I clean the glass with a magnetic algae scrubber, would it wipe out all the pods on the glass?

No, the pods on the glass will not be harmed by your magnet.
They will just swim away. (a few might get trapped, but not enough to lose sleep over)

[FishBo]

I have been breeding Tisbe pods in 10g tanks for awhile now. They eat anything I throw in. Phyto-feast, flake, frozen, pellets, it does not matter.