Harvesting Pods

[fatdaddy]

Is there a graceful way to harvest pods from one tank to add to another? It seems the only way to get the little guys is to pick up a rock, shake it, and then catch them with a net when they fall off. I hate to move rocks around to do it.

[1F2FRFBF]

Just transfer some water from one tank to the other, or take a piece of rock from the one tank and put it in the other for a while. You'll have pods.

[fatdaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10021522#post10021522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1F2FRFBF
You'll have pods.

I have a mandarin that seems to have eaten through his stock of pods. I'm just trying to figure out how to provide a consistent source for him.

I'll try the rock trick. Maybe I could have two rocks and keep switching them.

[1F2FRFBF]

Ah, you have a mandarin. Now you tell me! ;)

What you'll need to do is set up a refugium, where your pods will be able to grow and flourish undisturbed. Are you running a sump in your system right now?

[t5Nitro]

If he completely wipes out the pod population, you may need to buy the pods live and dose the tank with them.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2593&N=0

[Lotus99]

I'd switch the rocks, I think that will be your best bet.

You could also try the pod pile with a strawberry basket over it, to keep a population in the mandarin tank.

[1F2FRFBF]

Pod pile? Could you elaborate?

[Lotus99]

Pod pile = pile of live rock rubble in which pods multiply.

Pods like lots of little spaces to hide and breed, which a pile of rubble will provide.

[1F2FRFBF]

Would this be in your main (display) tank, or in a refugium?

I ask because I'm looking at adding a mandarin to my tank down the road, and I'm wondering how much is enough for them, and then what you have to do to make sure there's enough for them.

(Apologies to fatdaddy for the hijack...)

[Snowboarda42]

I use chaeto.

I have a soapdish with suction cups on the left side of my tank that has chaeto in it.

I also took a 10G, put a crappy light, a 15W heater, an Empty HOB filter, and a bunch of chaeto in it. I feed a few crushed flakes every few days. I don't even change water.
When I go to add pods, I take a clump of the Chaeto and dip/shake it in my DT. Happy Fat mandarin goodness.

[fatdaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10021762#post10021762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1F2FRFBF
Ah, you have a mandarin. Now you tell me! ;)

No fug, although I tried to set one up and failed. :( Strange that I can grow orchids but can't get algae to grow. I ordered more chaeto about 3 weeks ago, but my order is still hasn't shipped.

I do have a nice population going in a FOLR 100g tank. I figured out that if I leave a net in next to a pod loaded rock, they'll just jump in overnight. (It's actually hard to get them out.)

no problem on the hi-jack.