Harvesting pods

So a bit ago I set up a small 10g tank to serve as a pod breeder. I have to say, just observing the population of pods as I walk by, it's been a rousing success. Now my question becomes...how does one get these little guys out of the breeding tank and introduced to the main tank (of course as little breeding tank water as absolutely possible must be introduced to the main tank)


I've heard you can use a coffee filter...maybe grab a dozen turkey basters full of water, filter it, then rinse with water from the tank?


But then how do you get the pods off the coffee filter?


TIA,
Tom

 

This is just an observation I have made. But every time I clean any of them sponge filters there seems to be a lot on the sponge. Why not try dropping a sponge filter in the 10g and wait a couple of days.

J

 

The best way to re-introduce the pods back to the main tank is pouring some of the 10g's water into the main tank. If you dont want to go that route, you can place an object (clean of course) in there and let the pods encrust it, then just take it out quickly and place it in your main tank, you will introduce very little water that will not harm your main tank if your smaller tank is going through cycling.

I have been successful in pods flourishing in my tank by placing more rock. I have so much rock that I have run out of spots to place more, but the pods are everywhere and I am beginning to see my mandaring gettting a little chubbier. ;D Although he does eat pellets.

 

I'll give the sponge filter deal a try. Seems like a pretty good idea.

 

I have siphoned mine from my fuge to put in my main tank.

 

You could ask one of our sponsors that raises and sells copepods on a commerical scale, oh wait, that's me

www.copepod.com has some info on it.

If it was me, I'd go the coffee filter of 75 micron sieve. Simply syphon the breeder water thru the sieve or filter and place the sieve or filter into the main tank when finished.