Copepod Sanctuary

bvanfish · Feb 6, 2023

I want to build a place in my tank that copepods can colonize and not be bugged by fish. I dont want a hang on fuge etc so I figure has anyone built a pod sanctuary? I was thinking of getting some dry rock and just banging it up a bunch and make a rubble pile so they can get all in there without any issues?

Anyone done this?

Big G · Feb 6, 2023

Yep. A pile of small rubble will work, but if you want a ready built place for pods, check out the "Hotel."

Pod Hotel Copepod Haven - Clear Water

Do you ever see your copepods homeless, roaming the glass or rocks looking for a home? The Pod Hotel is the solution to their problems with six levels of vacant rooms ready for them to set up a temporary home in. If your aquarium does not utilize a refugium the Pod Hotel makes a great home for...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Wasabiroot · Feb 6, 2023

I think you're on the right track with rubble. Pods won't discriminate- as long as there is a cryptic zone with lots of nooks and crannies, a safe place to have offspring and molt/breed and food they will multiply.

Mine seemed to really enjoy dense macroalgae

bvanfish · Feb 6, 2023

That looks super cool @Big G ! I have a small 25 gallon tank so I am not sure how that would look. Maybe I could put rocks around it / on top so it looks more natural?

bvanfish · Feb 6, 2023

Wasabiroot said:
I think you're on the right track with rubble. Pods won't discriminate- as long as there is a cryptic zone with lots of nooks and crannies, a safe place to have offspring and molt/breed and food they will multiply.

Mine seemed to really enjoy dense macroalgae

Is there any way to pack the rubble to make it better? Or just lots of holes and what not to get into?

It would be cool to be able to make your own rock and just have tons of holes dilled in like that hotel thing hah

Wasabiroot · Feb 6, 2023

You honestly probably don't need to go to the trouble. Most pods are so small they should find their way into the crevices between with no issue. Even a piece of liverock is fine. Essentially, anything with a lot of surface area and spots to hide. As long as it's not a single layer and shallow, it should be sufficient. The pod hotel isn't a bad suggestion, but pods aren't very picky as long as they have that cryptic space.

Xenia · Feb 6, 2023

go sit in front of the tank and look at a rock, i have critters crawling all over, even a small pebble against a corner of the glass has life running under it. i started out with fake rock. No need for podhouses

bvanfish · Feb 6, 2023

I have a biota mandarin that is eating my pods quickly haha. It is now eating mysis and some pellets but I want there to be a place it cannot get to so the pods can keep exploding!

Indymann99 · Feb 6, 2023

The Pod Hotel is really intended for your sump/fuge. In the DT I would just make sure you have enough rock for pods to hide.

ectoaesthetics · Mar 4, 2023

In my experience a rubble pile definitely helps. I used to keep those little strawberry baskets full of rubble in my sump. It created little cryptic zones in the sump and pod and sponge breeding grounds. It also allowed me to move them around in the sump for cleaning. Hope this helps.

exnisstech · Mar 4, 2023

I made a pod hotel from the same type of material. I don't know if the official hotel is weighted or not. I had top set a rock on it to keep it down. I never sow more than a couple of pods at a time in it so I trashed it. I now have a plastic container with sand and other crap in the bottom . This is in my sump tho not DT. I just scooped some out to seed a new build and it is full of critters including some awesome bristle worms and stuff.