which pods do i go with

[iidylii]

im probably making this into a bigger deal then it is lol....but Im so confused on the descriptions of these things...are they both exactly the same?...anyways...my goal is to get a nice colony going in my sump/fuge and to of course naturally feed gobies, dragonettes and whatever else might want some pods...

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/search?query=copepods&Submit=Search

also swf.com does not sell the chaeto only this red macro algae...any idea if I was to put this algae into my sump would the pods thrive in it? I also currently have calerpa algae in my sump...is the calerpa just fine or should I add some of the red stuff? will the 2 algaes kill each other? could I get some thoughts on this please and thanks lol

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/category-invertebrates_plants

 

[iidylii]

also anyone have any information about cleaner clams...would you recommend them?

 

[2quills]

I'd probably shoot for a variety of pods but the ones your looking at look like a good place to start if your thinking about a Mandarin.

I can't speak for the other Macro algaes and I know the topic is debatable on which pods actually consume macros and which pods mandarins prefer to eat. But I can tell you that my chaeto seems to be a virtual breeding factory for multiple species of micro fauna (not just pods).

Never tried the cleaner clams but from what I see around the net I don't think I'll ever go out of my way to try them in hopes that they will reduce nutrients or save me time on maintenance.

 

[jay0705]

Agreed on clams, not worth the money. Macro alage wise cheato and calperta not spelled rt lol. Are the two i most often get, they dont last long tho bc i put them in my dt's for fish food.

 

[iidylii]

I'd probably shoot for a variety of pods but the ones your looking at look like a good place to start if your thinking about a Mandarin.

I can't speak for the other Macro algaes and I know the topic is debatable on which pods actually consume macros and which pods mandarins prefer to eat. But I can tell you that my chaeto seems to be a virtual breeding factory for multiple species of micro fauna (not just pods).

Never tried the cleaner clams but from what I see around the net I don't think I'll ever go out of my way to try them in hopes that they will reduce nutrients or save me time on maintenance.

yeah its to bad I don't have anywhere in my area that sells chaeto because imo that is the best breeding ground for pods...

Agreed on clams, not worth the money. Macro alage wise cheato and calperta not spelled rt lol. Are the two i most often get, they dont last long tho bc i put them in my dt's for fish food.

not even $5? lmao...seeing as how I have a credit with swf...if I can't find anything else to buy I might blow the rest on a couple clams

thanks guys!

 

[iidylii]

any idea about if I were to add chaeto to my calerpa would the dominant algae prevail? Id rather not throw a chunk of chaeto in there with the calerpa if the calerpa is just gonna kill it...would be nice to have both thrive together?

 

[2quills]

That may depend on the species of caulerpa you have and or if you create conditions that favor one or the other. IMO though I'd just pick one. I don't see any huge benefit in having both.

Personally, I think chaeto has more all around benefits and that's why I went with it. It's less invasive as caulerpa and it's more forgiving when it comes to maintenance.

Whether pods eat it or not, chaeto acts like a detritus net. Perhaps that's what attracts so much micro fauna to it.

Either way it seems like a great place for that stuff to meet up and do their thing.

 

[jay0705]

I agree. Cheato definitely is more cozy for critters. Cal is a wider leaf more open plant. Now feed wise fish prefer cal. Pods do seem to atleast hide better in cheato

 

[iidylii]

yep i agree with you guys...sounds like a plan to me...ill have to have someone bring some chaeto from the big city when they come to visit this xmas...

 

[florida joe]

IMO the caulerpa will out compete the cheato BUT you do know if the caulerpa feels endanger do to lack of nutrients it will go sexual

 

[iidylii]

Yeah it's best I just go the chaeto route when I get some thanks

 

[lmforbis]

Problem with buying chaeto online in Minnesota is it isn't always shipped overnight. The last time I ordered it it came as a frozen block. I'm south of you so it is probably worse where you are. Chaeto was dead as was everything living on it. LA did refund my money and gave me free shipping when I reordered it when the it was warmer.
You might look at algae barn. I can't find it consistently in the Cities and when I do it is in the same tank as the fish so I feel like I need to QT it.

 

[iidylii]

Problem with buying chaeto online in Minnesota is it isn't always shipped overnight. The last time I ordered it it came as a frozen block. I'm south of you so it is probably worse where you are. Chaeto was dead as was everything living on it. LA did refund my money and gave me free shipping when I reordered it when the it was warmer.
You might look at algae barn. I can't find it consistently in the Cities and when I do it is in the same tank as the fish so I feel like I need to QT it.

Thanks forbis...that's what I was thinking why do places keep it in with the fish...I don't wanna QT it lol...anyways my brother is gonna check on the tcmas site...but even then it's gonna probably come out of someone's tank full of fish so i dont know :~{

 

[jay0705]

Most comes from mexico. Take a vac lol