Pod City... Do I need to feed?

[kfowler]

I've got an explosion of pod population in a new 20 gal. They are everywhere. Tank is two weeks old now. The tank is fishless and will remain so for at least another month. So I haven't been adding any type of ffod at all. I have some Cheato in my fuge, 25 lbs of LR, 5 lbs of LR rubble and 20 lbs of LS.

Do I need to add any type of food to keep these pods feed? Phytoplakton or something? Or will they be fine living off the tank itself.

[Python73]

Yes, you should feed the tank. Very small amounts of whatever you have. Like drop a couple shrimp pellets or a tiny bit of flake food. The pods will find it and go to town. Just keep in mind that you are feeding a bunch of tiny animals, and not a bunch of fish, and you'll be fine.

Oh... also remember to feed your fuge every once in a while until you get fish. The deal is, once you get fish, the extra food from feeding and fish waste etc does the job, but for now, little bit of food for tank and fuge.

S !

[gman0526]

This is a normal pod population "explotion" especially for a new tank. Eventually it will balance out, you don't need to feed them right now. They are feeding off the decay in the LR and film algae. In such a new tank the least you need is to add more nutrients. JMHO.

[rustybucket145]

The population will correct itself. However it won't hurt to begin feeding a phytoplankton like DT's

[650-IS350]

Yeah I agree with rustybucket

[alan214]

The odds are, these are copepods (tiny white specks?) and are a normal part of clycling a new tank or when something dies in an existing one. There is no need to feed them. It will have no significant benefit for the tank cycle.

Alan

[kfowler]

They are copopods. Interesting. Lots of diveserse opinions.

[alan214]

That's one thing you can count on from us. LOTS of opinions!

[kfowler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8962141#post8962141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alan214
That's one thing you can count on from us. LOTS of opinions!

Yes and that's why this site is such an excellent resource. Better than receiving one opinion from your LFS. :D

[rustybucket145]

True X 1000000

[CedarReefer]

True, but it can also make one pull his/her hair out with so many different options.

I've gone through a couple of weeks with really bad heartburn, migraines and almost just giving up. But After some though, I found out that by letting the tank take it's own coarse and not messing with it everyday, makes a happier tank.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8962475#post8962475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rustybucket145
True X 1000000

[650-IS350]

makes the reefer happy as well,