copepod tank

i currently running a brine shrimp tank, interested on starting a copepod tank, need help, what is the temp that i need? salinity? food? rock in the tank, chaeto?

 

and where to get some copepod i have a half year old tank 180 total volume, i have a 16 gal fuge full of chaeto and live rock.

 

pods I get from the LFS...seed my fuge with them and then feed my fuge photoplex...feeds the pods...I got tons o' pods..big fat Mandarin Goby.
I could not imagine how it would be to raise and harvest them....At night when I shine a flashlight in there I can see them all over the place.
Your 16 gallon would work...just have some small motion in there? JMO
LG
Good Luck !! : )

 

don't worry to much about the temp or gravity.the copods will be the very last thing in your tank to die.in other words they are very tolerant to different conditions.you'll need a sponge for them to breed in.i use tuffa rock in my sump for them and its loaded with them.

 

I grow copepods in dishpans that hold just over 3g, with rock rubble and an airline for diffusion.
I cultivate Nitokra lacustris, and "Tigger" pods this way, feeding them live nannochloropsis and for a day or two before water changes, I use Tahitian Blend cryopaste from Brine Shrimp Direct.
I use the same nannochloropsis and Tahitian Blend for my brine shrimp operation where I grow them out in 26g garbage containers.
There are pictures of my early days in brine shrimp, with smaller containers, on my brine page of my web site.
RAISING BRINE SHRIMP

 

This thread is very helpful. I am actually making a submersible copepod reproduction/housing canister wi flow, air lines, filtration, and best of all, its fish-proof.

When you guys say use a sponge, do you mean like a household sponge or something you would see for a bathtub?

Thanks

 

don't use a sponge thats not made for sw tanks.the sponge only provides pores for them to hide and breed in.i use tuffa rock instead of sponge.it sounds like rayjay is more experienced in actually breeding them.

 

go here to stock your refug - I've ordered from here twice, they ship quickly and you get what you pay for - 1000+ amphipods / copepods- FOOD FOR SALTWATER AQUARIUM - eBay (item 140281221567 end time Dec-10-08 19:06:37 PST)

 

Fozool666, nice link, their EBay store site looks good. I've booked marked that store.

 

I used them myself, great folks!
When you order from them they will ship you a bag with the blue/white filter pads (these pads are loaded with life) Keep in mind you might not see a whole lot, dont get discouraged. My tanks are now thriving with pods, and mysid shrimp.

All you need to do is run a refugium with chaeto algae in it, run the light cycle opposite of your DT. You'll have pods forever...

In my fuge is quite simple, rock rubble, chaeto, and light... Very little flow to allow time for chaeto to absorb nitrates, and a safe non turbulant breeding ground for the pods...