just got a refug running help with copepods

[bungles]

I dumped two bottles of tigger pods in the refug and I don't c a single one. Could they have all died already, or been eaten by my mandarin. I have a huge softball size of cheato in there too.
Also any place to get copepods for a good price?

 

[btldreef]

The copepods are small and probably hiding in the chaeto.

 

[chain]

How long have you had your mandarin? How long has your fuge been setup and running?
+1 to BTL

 

[bungles]

I dont see any but prob. Its an intank refug suction cuped to the inside i keep the top of it over the water level. But there is 5 holes in the side i figured the pods wouldnt swim out or just some would enough to feed. Mandarin ive had for a year, Just put the refug in 4 days ago. The Madarin has been eating my frozen food. Yes ive seen him eat them.
thanks

 

[reefdrmr]

Tigger pods originate from colder waters and don't do well in our tanks because they run too warm for this species.
tigger pods are also carnivorous and devour the more "native" pods in our systems.
You should look into some of the easier to reproduce species like Tisbe pods. They have a much better lifespan in our systems.

 

[novahobbies]

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/Copepods--ReefPods_p_1577.html
These are fantastic. You should start with a couple bags to get a good breeding population going, especially if you have a Mandarin already in the tank. You won't see these guys very much -- when they grow to a good population you will see them as little white pinheads on the glass. But they're really the perfect copepod for our reef tanks IMO.