Increasing pod habitat?

[apexkeeper]

I'm looking for tips and ideas to increase the pod populations in my tank. My setup is a 65 gallon display, 30 gallon sump (aprox 6-7 gallons dedicated as the refugium which just has a large tumbling chaeto ball in it now).

I can see alot of unknown isopods in my refugium, and the display tank has some type of amphipods. Don't know if I have any copepods.

I'm thinking of adding some type of loose floss material to the bottom of my refugium to act as a pod habitat, but im worried it will just turn into a nitrate factory. What are some other ways to add good breeding habitat to my tank? I eventually want to add a dragonet to my tank so I want to plan way ahead.

[tkeracer619]

As much live rock rubble as you can fit in the sump. This will give them a perfect breading ground.

[philosophile]

From my experience, low flow, and lots of light equals lots of pods. Light grows algae and biofilm which pods eat.

[iceet]

I'm thinking of adding some type of loose floss material to the bottom of my refugium to act as a pod habitat, but im worried it will just turn into a nitrate factory.

You hit the nail on the head. The ideal pod habitat has excess food and detritus buildup. Not only do they eat it, but they build their homes and burrow tunnels in it.

The detritus still has contact with your main water so it will leach nutrients over time. The idea to make your refugium/pod habitat as large as possible without negatively affecting water quality. Pods can handle filthy water, I've had a 2.5 nano sitting with saltwater but no livestock for months with no heater no filter running. Just a piece of live rock and sand. Pods are still surviving in it to this day. I don't feed it or change the water. Just top it off with fresh every few weeks.

Every once in a while I will swipe it's glass with a sponge to grab all the pods and throw it into my DT just to reseed.

[gogo7]

I'm looking for tips and ideas to increase the pod populations in my tank. My setup is a 65 gallon display, 30 gallon sump (aprox 6-7 gallons dedicated as the refugium which just has a large tumbling chaeto ball in it now).

I can see alot of unknown isopods in my refugium, and the display tank has some type of amphipods. Don't know if I have any copepods.

I'm thinking of adding some type of loose floss material to the bottom of my refugium to act as a pod habitat, but im worried it will just turn into a nitrate factory. What are some other ways to add good breeding habitat to my tank? I eventually want to add a dragonet to my tank so I want to plan way ahead.




copepods love the dead empty shells of brine shrimp.
i've got some culture tips if you need em.
otherwise, i'd just increase the surface area in your sump. leave detritus to buidup. use your turkey baster to relocate the pods that collect around said detritus buidup. again message me if you need collection tips. i've got plenty.

live plankton make the world of difference.