Differences in Micro Algae: A bunch, and use in feeding copepod cultures    4/3/13
Hi again!
I have a copepod culture going with "Tisbe" pods. This was done just to ensure a more than sufficient food source for my Mandarin. I have a question concerning the feeding of the culture. I am currently feeding them
with "Phyco Copepod blend," however this is only available online and can become quite expensive to reorder every month. My question is what is the difference between that and the Micro algae I use to supplement my reef and corals?
<Mmm, well; have looked over AlgaGen's posting re the one product:
http://www.algagen.com/prod/?p=301
but don't know what you mean by: "Micro algae I use to supplement my reef and corals"
But I do know that there are very large differences twixt the make-up of algae species... I encourage you to seek out input on culturing your own algae to feed your copepods if you have a large volume use. Frank Hoff's works are commonly available and useful here>
They both seem to be the brownish type (icciris or something like that).
<Isochrysis likely>
Can I use the cheaper live reef phytoplankton to feed the pods or are the two completely different
<You can try... but I'd run two separate culture lines... see if the proposed one is nutritionally sufficient. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Fishless tank 1/21/13
If I go fishless for around 6 months to give pods and such to multiply do you need to put any food in the system if so how much and what kind ex frozen, flake or maybe a specific type of food with algae?
<A small pinch of flake or pellets every few days is what I'd use; of any good brand/make up>
90 gallon display, 30 gallon sump, 35 gallon refugium.
Thanks Steve

Phytoplankton - to feed or not to feed?/Copepods/Feeding 11/22/11
Dear WWM,
<Laura>
Hope all is well with you!
<Is fine.>
Here is my question...I have recently set up a 120 gallon reef tank with a tied in refugium and plenty of live rock in the hopes of housing one target spotted mandarin dragonet six months or so down the road. I have seeded the refugium with copepods purchased from Dr. Adelaide Rhodes website. The refugium has live sand, Chaetomorpha, and large pile of live rock. My sump for this tank is 40 gallons, the refugium has a large section of the sump (sump is a Reef Master Filtration System rated for a 200 gallon tank).
Twice per week I throw a few shrimp pellets into the refugium. The system has been set up for six weeks, but is based on my previous 85 gallon tank that I had for over four years and tore down to upgrade into this 120 gallon.
I am seeing lots of critters in the refugium and the tank - copepods, Brittlestars, bristleworms, Mysid shrimp. In an effort to speed up my copepod population for the future mandarin, I am wondering if I should dose the refugium/tank with D.T,'s Phytoplankton. I have a professional servicing this tank weekly. His opinion is that there is plenty of food for the copepods to eat - detritus from my few fish, diatom algae on the glass, Chaetomorpha is the refugium, etc, etc, and the phytoplankton would be little more than a waste of money and an added source of excess nutrients fueling algae blooms in the tank. I am not so sure. I have done extensive reading on your site and others, and feel that dosing D.T.s, conservatively, may have more benefits than drawbacks. I defer to you on this matter and look forward
to your answer.
<I would lean more toward your serviceman as far as fueling algae. You make no mention of any corals or other invertebrates present and am wondering why you are putting shrimp pellets into the system. If I wanted to accelerate my copepod population I would eliminate the pellets and dose phytoplankton very conservatively.
To maintain the copepod population you have, your serviceman is correct in his statement to you.
This is going to be something only you can determine. Detritus and nutrients present in the tank may be
all that you need. Observing in the evening with a flashlight should tell you whether the pod population is increasing or decreasing. May want to do this first before dosing phyto. James (Salty Dog)>
Very best,
Laura G
Re Phytoplankton - to feed or not to feed?/Copepods/Feeding 11/23/11
Hi Salty Dog,
<Hello Laura>
I am sorry for the lack of information provided. I have a very large collection of LPS corals in this tank, some hermit crabs and snails, 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Midas Blenny, and 1 Candy Basslet, and one Harlequin Shrimp.
I was putting a few shrimp pellets in the refugium a couple of times per week based on previous correspondence with WWM regarding my refugium. I was
advised that in addition to feeding my reef tank (Sectrum <Spectrum>
pellets, Spirulina
Flake Food), that it was also desirable to "feed the refugium" in this way to sustain critters and/or possibly accelerate their growth.
I hope this clarifies matters a bit more. I apologize for any confusion.
<In that regard, if you have low nitrate levels and corals are growing good, stick
to your current feeding regime. If you decide to go with DT's, I'd eliminate the shrimp
pellets. James (Salty Dog)>
Laura
Re Phytoplankton - to feed or not to feed?/Copepods/Feeding 11/23/11
Hi James (Salty Dog),
<Hello Laura>
When you write "dose phyto conservatively", what, in your opinion, is this dose? 50% of recommended dose recommended on the product, or more or less than this?
<I would start out with one full dose per week and observe the pod population.
Adjust dosing as you see fit. The best way to accelerate a pod population without risking an excessive nutrient build up in your tank is to grow them in a separate container. They can then be removed with a turkey baster and fed to your inhabitants.
You would then add just enough DT's to tint the water green. As the pods consume the phyto the water will clear, indicating it's time for another dose. A ten gallon tank would be a good vessel to do this in.
This method will produce plenty of pods for you. Have you read here?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/copepodfaqs.htm
Googling "growing copepods" will also produce plenty of information for you on the process.
James (Salty Dog)>
Thank you again,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>