I filled a 2.5g tank 1/3 of the way with 1.021 water about 6-8 weeks ago.
I poured a bottle of Reef Nutrition pods in.
I added a bit of spirulina powder which I had about as a smoothie additive (enough to turn the water light green).
I left the tank on a table. No lights aside from when the room light was on, no temp considerations (temp probably varied from 60-75), no airstone, nuthin.
Every time I passed and the tank seemed to be clearing up, I'd add a pinch more spirulina to turn the water greenish again and lift the corner of the tank to mix it up. I saw movement, so I knew pods were in there.
A few weeks back I took a small sample of the water (about 12oz) with whatever pods were in it and put it in a 16oz glass. I fed these a pinch of finely ground food or coral food every few days for comparison.
Checked today properly with a flashlight and both the tank and the glass are LOADED with pods, wall to wall, top to bottom. Probably at least a 500% increase.
What I'd do different...
Use only ground food or coral food instead of spirulina, the spirulina not eaten has formed a layer on the bottom of the container that is hard to separate out and the pods like to hide in it.
Just some info if anyone is thinking of starting a pod farm and is stressing about equipment, phyto, air supply, etc...
A container, some water, pods, and any type of food you have on hand apparently works fine.
And a pic. Every white speck, regardless of size, is a swimming pod
I poured a bottle of Reef Nutrition pods in.
I added a bit of spirulina powder which I had about as a smoothie additive (enough to turn the water light green).
I left the tank on a table. No lights aside from when the room light was on, no temp considerations (temp probably varied from 60-75), no airstone, nuthin.
Every time I passed and the tank seemed to be clearing up, I'd add a pinch more spirulina to turn the water greenish again and lift the corner of the tank to mix it up. I saw movement, so I knew pods were in there.
A few weeks back I took a small sample of the water (about 12oz) with whatever pods were in it and put it in a 16oz glass. I fed these a pinch of finely ground food or coral food every few days for comparison.
Checked today properly with a flashlight and both the tank and the glass are LOADED with pods, wall to wall, top to bottom. Probably at least a 500% increase.
What I'd do different...
Use only ground food or coral food instead of spirulina, the spirulina not eaten has formed a layer on the bottom of the container that is hard to separate out and the pods like to hide in it.
Just some info if anyone is thinking of starting a pod farm and is stressing about equipment, phyto, air supply, etc...
A container, some water, pods, and any type of food you have on hand apparently works fine.
And a pic. Every white speck, regardless of size, is a swimming pod
