Copepod Farm?

[b2bwest]

I have a spare 10 gallon tank and an extra heater. What else would I need to set up a tank to grow copepods. What sort of filtration could be used so that the pods aren't sucked up?
Eventually I will buy a refugium for my 125 gallon DT, but I'm short on funds at the moment.
I used to have numerous pods in my DT, but they seem to have been eaten, or sucked up in the filter...

 

[spanko]

I think a power compact light with a 6700k rated bulb, a big bunch of Chaeto, some sand, and some rock fragments - little pcs. put into a pile, a small low gph power head and some DT's or other phytoplankton would just about be enough to do the job. Oh yeah maybe one of those little in tank filters the kind that sit in the corner and run off a small air pump.

 

[caseysimp7]

how would you get them out of your 10gal whan you need them?you cant use a net

 

[spanko]

You grab off a chunk of the Chaeto and shake the bejeesus out of it in the display tank then return the Chaeto to the farm for repopulation.

 

[b2bwest]

Good question. Couldn't you shut off the lights, shine a smaller light near the surface and scoop some out?
There must be a way, because people grow them in a refugium and harvest.

 

[b2bwest]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2479631
I think a power compact light with a 6700k rated bulb, a big bunch of Chaeto, some sand, and some rock fragments - little pcs. put into a pile, a small low gph power head and some DT's or other phytoplankton would just about be enough to do the job. Oh yeah maybe one of those little in tank filters the kind that sit in the corner and run off a small air pump.
If I use some water from my display tank, will I need to worry about the pod tank cycling?

 

[caseysimp7]

i never thought of that but it is a good idea

 

[spanko]

Unfortunately the water does not contain the bacteria. You would need to take some of the sand and rocks from your existing tank to seed the farm. But the cycle should be short and you are not really going to have any bioload. I would start the tank with some dry sand from the fish store, take a rock from your display or get a cured pc from the fish stre and break it into small pcs that you can pile up. Throw the equipment together get some Chaeto in there and don't worry about the cycle.

 

[joebob7]

I remember reading about a guy who wanted to supplement his dragonet's food supply and he bought a bottle of pods online and put them in a 2litre bottle with some chaeto, LS and LR. I believe it was near a window o that the sunlight would make sure the pods had enough food.