Copepods

[seffieuk]

Is there foam in that filter, if so it is probably that causing the spike

Seffie x

 

[nano_reef_ubergeek]

yes. It's an aqua clear 20. I guess I could fold up a polyester filter and put that in there instead ...

It's brand new though ... I was hoping it would be okay if I kept it from getting clogged.

 

[seffieuk]

I would take out the filter wool and add live rock rubble instead

Seffie x

 

[stefday]

Sorry if these are stupid questions but would be grateful for some clarification.

What is meant by a copepod culture?
How do you know that they are copepods?
How do you introduce the copepods to the tank? I am currently using a spare 130 litre tank that I havent decided what to do with yet.
Are copepods good for all fish or only mandarins and scooter blennies?
If you introduce these fish ( no intention of doing so at present) how do you know they are getting them and not been eaten by other fish? Probably really stupid question but just interested.
Has anybody got photo`s of what they look like?

Thanks for any info.

 

[nano_reef_ubergeek]

My local fish store has copepods .... they were 25 dollars for a jar with about 100.



I'm just not ready to spend that kind of money without really being sure they can help clean my water.

I guess these copepods spend much of the time hiding in the rock ..... and may only come out at night.

The aquarium also sold me water that was Too strong (1.026) .... I put in a powerhead to oxygenate the water until I can get some good r/o water to adjust the salinity. (I ordered a TDS meter for 18 dollards on EBAY, but it still has not come in the mail) once I get the meter, I can begin testing tap water, filtered water, r/o water from the water store and see if one of those is good enough.... my understanding is that it must read zero ... and that I should still treat the water with chloramine remover since even reverse osmosis will not remove that.)

I'm just being really careful because I read some nightmare stories about fish becoming sick with bad -- untreated water.

I completely caved in and put the blue light (10000k, 460nM) on my tank.... maybe for good .... but I hate the way it looks .... one reason I'm thinking of keeping it is because is does light the tank more evenly than the desk lamp that I was using -- plus I will lose money on shipping if I return it. I just hate 460nM .... I really really hate it.

That's a really interesting idea -- putting live rock rubble in the filter instead of media. I'm not sure that solve the problem of water borne algae though. It would obviously be good for the fish. But I'm hoping to have marginally clear water too at some point.

 

[nano_reef_ubergeek]

I did not really answer stefday's question:

My guess is that only certain fish can eat copepods ... in order for that to be economical ... these copepods would have to populate in your tank... eat algae ..... faster that the fish could eat them ....

You would have to observe the fish to make sure that they are eating and I would expect to have them on half rations of pellets just to make sure that they are eating something during the transition to captive bread food (plankton, shrimp, algae) ....

I would like to be able to get to that point myself, and that's basically what we've been talking about ....

I did buy a small emerald crab and he's been eating algae, so I don't need to worry about feeding him ... I trimmed my hairline algae with a scissors because I was advised that he will not eat algae if it is too long. I love to see him excavate, but the truth is -- he spends a lot of time hiding. I did ask the guy at the fish store about chaeto, but they had none in stock at the moment.

I may post some video some time if I can figure out how to do it.

 

[seffieuk]

Sorry if these are stupid questions but would be grateful for some clarification.
No such thing as a stupid question

What is meant by a copepod culture?

You buy a container of copepods and then start breeding them in a small tank or container

How do you know that they are copepods?

Do you mean in the tank or in the culture?

How do you introduce the copepods to the tank? I am currently using a spare 130 litre tank that I havent decided what to do with yet.

You filter them out, some poeple use coffee filter paper others buya special 35 micron filter

Are copepods good for all fish or only mandarins and scooter blennies?

Many fish eat copepods and yes they are good for them, that is why most of us would put them in at night when the fish are in bed!! This way they have a chance to get to the rocks so they can be picked off by those fish who browse the rocks

If you introduce these fish ( no intention of doing so at present) how do you know they are getting them and not been eaten by other fish?

You have nice plum fish, it is very easy to see when a drogonet is not getting enough food

Probably really stupid question but just interested.
Has anybody got photo`s of what they look like?

I haven't no sorry, just do a google images search and they will come up

Thanks for any info.

Seffie x