[chad54827]

I'm going to start culturing copepods, my manderin unfortunately is getting kind of skinny and i've decided take action. I've been reading alot about culturing but don't understand some things. Why is cross contamination an issue, for instance nets touching the display tank water and the culture water? What happens when cross contamination occurs? Does any one have experience doing this and has any suggestion for me? Any help would be greatly appreciated.... I'm planning on doing it in a 5 gallon u have laying around at room temperature, with an air stone or some rigid air line tubing, and use phyto-pheast to feed them. Thanks!

[Arnold40]

If you have a refugium you can just grow them in there and they will eventually make it into the display tank via the return pump.

[autumnandbrett]

I have even notice them doing quite well in my backpack that I had just put on the tank with some hair algae and other algae. (this is temp until I set up my refugium)

One other thing, I have seahorses and they eat Mysis Shrimp, I also have a Mandrian, he is loving the Mysis, I see him eating every time I feed. That may help a little, until you get some copepods.

Isn't this a great hobby!

[chad54827]

This is also a temperary fix untill i get my refugium. I'm having it custom made at a local acrylic shop and can't quite afford it yet. My manderin won't except frozen food, i'm pretty sure i tried everything even cyclopsees. From what i read cultering copepods seems pretty easy. Just wondering if anyone had any advice, tips, or experience with it.

[chad54827]

Also i have a 55 gallon tank that has been running for a year (i tried not to be irrasponsible buying a manderin without an established tank) before i got him my tank was crawling with zooplankton but after a couple of months it seems he has cleaned them out and he is getting noticably skinnier. I bought some tiger pods online and he went through those reall quick. i just thought untill i get my refugium i could culture pods so i would always have them.

[gimmito]

Try L.F.S. CULTURES (www.lfscultures.com) /URL]. It's not difficult to grow pods, just time consuming.

Have you tried offering live brine shrimp with garlic extract ?