Best Pods for Seeding

[BigJohnny]

Hey Reefers,

I'd like to seed my new DT with some pods (don't worry I'm not keeping a mandarin ) . Any recommendations on the best place to purchase them? I'd like a solid mix of different kinds if possible. I have heard of tigger pods and there are other vendors that sell packs. Watcha think?

[yellowRubi]

I just ordered some cleaning crew from reefcleaners.org, I also got the bag of PODS+ , not to sure what is the difference between those and the REEF PODS they sell, I will have them on Tuesday

[cloak]

Just out of curiosity, if your not keeping a mandarin in the tank why do you want the pods to begin with? As you add more and more things to your tank they'll find there way in regardless, but if you don't really need them as a primary food source then there's really no need to spend your money on them IMO. CUC member? Not really...

[joshky]

It's just my opinion, but I wouldn't even consider buying pods from reefs2go. They have a pretty decent deal if they actually make it to you alive, but their customer service and business practice is TERRIBLE. Therefore it is of my opinion you should take your business elsewhere where your business is appreciated. I just wanted to put that out there because I'm sure someone will recommend them for pods, and they may even say to only buy pods from them because the rest sucks, but giving them any business is rewarding bad practices.

[juniorrocketdad]

I agree that u will get them anyway if u don't have a mandarin but live aquaria I think has a link to where u buy all different kinds and u can pick for yourself it's very descriptive, tigger are the most versatile tho

[ichthyogeek]

I've heard that tigger pods are more of a cool water species, and won't breed as easily in your tank. I take it that you want a harpacticoid species (the kind that stays on the rocks) and not a calanoid species (the kind that stay in the water column)? If so, then you may want to look into Algagen's Tisbe copepods, as well as a source for Euterpina copepods as well.

[KingTriton1]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...58&pcatid=3058

Id go with Tisbe. Have them overnight it instead of 2 day air, as it is only a $3 difference.

[oldbones]

I have tried two different live pod sources, and by far, the better of the two was Algae Barn. The pods were smaller than the big red Tigger pods you can find at the LFS, but there were a LOT more of them, and they are propogating in my tank whereas I only saw the big red Tiggers for about three days, then no more. Mind you, this was before I added any fish, and I was feeding the tank with Phyto and Mysis. The smaller pods have taken off and are obviously reproducing.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by yellowRubi

I just ordered some cleaning crew from reefcleaners.org, I also got the bag of PODS+ , not to sure what is the difference between those and the REEF PODS they sell, I will have them on Tuesday

Cool thanks for sharing. I'm curious what the difference is as well. keep us posted!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by cloak

Just out of curiosity, if your not keeping a mandarin in the tank why do you want the pods to begin with? As you add more and more things to your tank they'll find there way in regardless, but if you don't really need them as a primary food source then there's really no need to spend your money on them IMO. CUC member? Not really...

I'd like to keep this thread focused on recommendations for pod sources, thanks!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by joshky

It's just my opinion, but I wouldn't even consider buying pods from reefs2go. They have a pretty decent deal if they actually make it to you alive, but their customer service and business practice is TERRIBLE. Therefore it is of my opinion you should take your business elsewhere where your business is appreciated. I just wanted to put that out there because I'm sure someone will recommend them for pods, and they may even say to only buy pods from them because the rest sucks, but giving them any business is rewarding bad practices.

Thanks, yea I have heard they suck in general. I do appreciate the warning however!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by juniorrocketdad

I agree that u will get them anyway if u don't have a mandarin but live aquaria I think has a link to where u buy all different kinds and u can pick for yourself it's very descriptive, tigger are the most versatile tho

Getting some randomly eventually is not my plan. Cool thanks man I'll check it out.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

I've heard that tigger pods are more of a cool water species, and won't breed as easily in your tank. I take it that you want a harpacticoid species (the kind that stays on the rocks) and not a calanoid species (the kind that stay in the water column)? If so, then you may want to look into Algagen's Tisbe copepods, as well as a source for Euterpina copepods as well.

I want as diverse as population as possible, unless the water column ones will be a significant eyesore haha. Yes I have been recommended tisbe before. So far that's the popular choice. I will look into the Euterpina as well. Thanks!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by KingTriton1

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...58&pcatid=3058

Id go with Tisbe. Have them overnight it instead of 2 day air, as it is only a $3 difference.

Thanks man! Another vote for Tisbe.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by oldbones

I have tried two different live pod sources, and by far, the better of the two was Algae Barn. The pods were smaller than the big red Tigger pods you can find at the LFS, but there were a LOT more of them, and they are propogating in my tank whereas I only saw the big red Tiggers for about three days, then no more. Mind you, this was before I added any fish, and I was feeding the tank with Phyto and Mysis. The smaller pods have taken off and are obviously reproducing.

Cool man thanks for your input. Do you know what species of pods you got from Algae Barn?

[oldbones]

From their website:

Seed Your Aquarium | Increase Pod Populations | Feed Finicky Fish

Each 16oz portion of Poseidon's Feast contains 3000+ LIVE Tigriopus and Tisbe Copepods ranging from nauplii to adult sizes. Poseidon's Feast is great for seeding new tanks and refugiums, boosting existing populations, or feeding finicky fish & inverts such as Mandarins, Seahorses, Anthias, Wrasses, SPS, LPS & NPS Corals, Clams, and most other filter-feeding inverts. Our pods are 100% viable to reproduce in marine aquaria. We recommend using with our high quality OceanMagik LIVE Phytoplankton Blend to establish and maintain the healthiest copepod populations.

16oz - 3000+ Copepods | $25

1/2gal (64oz) - 12,000+ Copepods | $90

1gal - 24,000+ Copepods | $150

16oz Pods + 16oz Phyto | $40 *Ships Free

Orders Over $40 Ship Free | 100% AOA

[ThRoewer]

from

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

I've heard that tigger pods are more of a cool water species,.

You've heard wrong. They are found from Canada to the tip of Baja in splash pools. Temperatures and salinities can get quite extreme in any direction. Their ideal temperature range actually depends on the strain, but the ones you can buy in a bottle do just fine at normal reef tank temperatures.

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

and won't breed as easily in your tank..

They will breed like crazy as long as there are not too many predators and competition. In my tank they literally formed clouds around rock surfaces and were all over the glass. Then some Mysis got introduced into the tank and pretty much wiped them out within a couple of weeks.

Also tigger pods do better at higher salinities than good for your reef tank.

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

I take it that you want a harpacticoid species (the kind that stays on the rocks) and not a calanoid species (the kind that stay in the water column)? If so, then you may want to look into Algagen's Tisbe copepods, as well as a source for Euterpina copepods as well.

I would go with tisbe too. It is better suited for a reef environment.
I culture tigger pots outside and regularly add them as food but they have too much predators and competition to survive long term.

The critters you really want are Munnid Isopods, Amphipods and Mysis. All those will eventually find their way into your tank when you buy corals with little rocks attached. The issue is that aggressive dipping will kill them. So you either need to flush them out before the dip and carefully isolate them or get a piece of rock out of the refugium or sump from someone who doesn't have "pests".

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

from
You've heard wrong. They are found from Canada to the tip of Baja in splash pools. Temperatures and salinities can get quite extreme in any direction. Their ideal temperature range actually depends on the strain, but the ones you can buy in a bottle do just fine at normal reef tank temperatures.


They will breed like crazy as long as there are not too many predators and competition. In my tank they literally formed clouds around rock surfaces and were all over the glass. Then some Mysis got introduced into the tank and pretty much wiped them out within a couple of weeks.

Also tigger pods do better at higher salinities than good for your reef tank.



I would go with tisbe too. It is better suited for a reef environment.
I culture tigger pots outside and regularly add them as food but they have too much predators and competition to survive long term.

The critters you really want are Munnid Isopods, Amphipods and Mysis. All those will eventually find their way into your tank when you buy corals with little rocks attached. The issue is that aggressive dipping will kill them. So you either need to flush them out before the dip and carefully isolate them or get a piece of rock out of the refugium or sump from someone who doesn't have "pests".

Are there any direct sources for munnid isopods, amphipods, and mysis that you recommend?

[ichthyogeek]

Sachs aquaculture store has amphipods, mysis, and an assortment of copepods available. I don't know where you would find munnid isopods, but if you do, tell us please!

[stifrk]

Originally Posted by joshky

It's just my opinion, but I wouldn't even consider buying pods from reefs2go. They have a pretty decent deal if they actually make it to you alive, but their customer service and business practice is TERRIBLE. Therefore it is of my opinion you should take your business elsewhere where your business is appreciated. I just wanted to put that out there because I'm sure someone will recommend them for pods, and they may even say to only buy pods from them because the rest sucks, but giving them any business is rewarding bad practices.

Agree 200% with this statement!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by ichthyogeek

Sachs aquaculture store has amphipods, mysis, and an assortment of copepods available. I don't know where you would find munnid isopods, but if you do, tell us please!

Thanks. I'll let you know if I find munnid isos

[scooter31707]

Why waste your money if you are not keeping a mandarin.

[hbrochs]

Reed Mariculture, is a large very professional company that will have high quality pods. I'd have a chat with one of their staff. They supply hatcheries and laboratories, as well as hobby breeders.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Why waste your money if you are not keeping a mandarin.

Again, the purpose of this thread is to discuss vendors for copepods/amphipods/isopods, not to debate whether or not anyone is wasting there money. Having said that, if you think the only reason to have copepods/amphipods/isopods in your tank is for mandarins, you are misinformed. I suggest you research further. Lets leave it at that and get back to the topic at hand please, thanks.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by hbrochs

Reed Mariculture, is a large very professional company that will have high quality pods. I'd have a chat with one of their staff. They supply hatcheries and laboratories, as well as hobby breeders.

Cool thanks, sounds legit. I will definitely look into that.