Copepod Culture Set-up

[kniesh]

Hi guys, just a quick one, I have set up my 2/3 gallon old goldfish bowl type tank for a copepod culture today for when I hopefully get a pair of Mandarins and SH's for my 62gallon which will start to be set up next week. Anyway I have put in this, an old piece of ocean rock that was sitting in a slightly salty tank and a small powerhead of sorts, with a little arcadia light set up for it too. Do I need anything else now besides the actual culture kit, or is this ok?

Thanks In advance, Vinny

 

[TigerIssey]

I would not use any rock in there.

You want the culture to be as sterile as possible to avoid crashes.

Have a look at my thread lower down in this section called "Mandarin Love", I explain how I set up my culture and the different foods you can use in there.

It is best to have a diiferent syphon for cleaning this tank and also do not use any equipment that has been in your normal tank without cleaning it thoroughly beforehand. Best really to have seperate equipment.

Do not forget to keep an eye on the SG in there too and regularly top off with RO, I lost a culture last week because I forgot to top it off.

Any questions just ask

 

[kniesh]

Thx for the reply, its your thread that made my mind up on the stocking of this. I was looking for something to live alongside the Seahorses and a pair of Mandarins seems perfect, I love these guys.

P.S I have took the rock out, the only other thing in there is a filter from my old freshwater tank. This hasnt been used in a wjhile and I have taken the bottom compartment off and just using the powerhead bit of it.

 

[TigerIssey]

That will be too strong. You just need a very small airpump with a valve fitted into the airline to turn it down, they don't need much at all. Too much will also kill them.

No need to use an airstone either.

Keep it as simple as possible and just have the airline secured with a rubber sucker in there.

 

[kniesh]

That will be too strong. You just need a very small airpump with a valve fitted into the airline to turn it down, they don't need much at all. Too much will also kill them.

No need to use an airstone either.

Keep it as simple as possible and just have the airline secured with a rubber sucker in there.

Do you mean to use an air pump but with nothing on the end of the pipe where the stone usually goes? Sorry bit confused by this

 

[bollands]

when u buy the kit how long does it last?

 

[seffieuk]

As long as you keep looking after it, it can go on fro ever

Seffie x

 

[kniesh]

I forgot to mention I put a heat mat under it, is this ok?

 

[seffieuk]

I forgot to mention I put a heat mat under it, is this ok?

you don't need it, just the salt water, phyto, air line, natural light - nothing more, nothing less

Seffie x

 

[TigerIssey]

That will be too strong. You just need a very small airpump with a valve fitted into the airline to turn it down, they don't need much at all. Too much will also kill them.

No need to use an airstone either.

Keep it as simple as possible and just have the airline secured with a rubber sucker in there.

Do you mean to use an air pump but with nothing on the end of the pipe where the stone usually goes? Sorry bit confused by this

Yep thats exactly what I mean.

As Seffie says, look after the culture well, and will last and last.