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redleader 
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 Topic: How do I estimate pod population in my tank?
Posted: October 20 2015 at 5:40pm |
I have had a couple of odd deaths of late in my tank.
I'm thinking that a low pod population may be to blame.
Any one have a way to estimate pod population, so I can find out if it is healthy or low.
I don't have a refugium, so I don't have a safe place for the to grow.
Any ideas here will be very helpful.
Thanks
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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Jeremyw
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Posted: October 20 2015 at 8:07pm |
What died? Which fish?
You dont necessarily need a fuge to grow pods.
J
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redleader
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Posted: October 20 2015 at 8:41pm |
over the course of 6 months I have lost:
Potters Angel Flame Angel Scooter bleny Midas Blenny (jumped) bi color blenny another Potters Angel Blue Lynkia star fish
Granted I have 2 Gold Stripe Maroon Clown fish (they me be cause of deaths)
I don't "see" any bugs, and I worry that the shape the tank was in when I got it, I may not have had a large population to begin with.
My fish appear healthy, and then "disapear" and a day or two later I will find the bones and half eaten remains of the fish.
The Gold Stripe Female is the queen of the tank, and she knows it.
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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Jeremyw
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Posted: October 20 2015 at 8:53pm |
How old is the tank and how much rock do you have in it?
How long do you have the fish generally before they die?
Jumping fish would probably be because of clownfish (maybe)
How often do you feed?
J
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redleader
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Posted: October 20 2015 at 9:46pm |
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I've had the tank one year. I bought it on ksl. So the tank is of unknown age. When I got it phosphates and hair algae where out of control. As well as bad cyano blooms.
The clowns I've had the entire time. And the other fish range from 1 week on the low end to 3 months on the high end
I feed frozen once a day
Thanks
55 gallon tank with about 60 pounds of live rock
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: October 20 2015 at 10:55pm |
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Two things.
One- remove one gallon of water. Pour through filter bag. Count bugs from one gallon, then multiply by tank volume.
Two- but that's useless. Many photos of your tank, or someone to come check it out, that would be great.
Adam
Edited by Adam Blundell - October 20 2015 at 10:56pm
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Corey Price
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 7:41am |
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Mantis shrimp hide well and can be nasty little creatures that could do just what you're talking about. I doubt it's due to the small bugs.
Just my thoughts.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 2:32pm |
As far as Amphipods and Copepods, they are somewhat nocturnal, nighttime is the best time to see them. Look for them next to the glass at the sand. See the pics below.
Here is that fish list with a little information about each one:
Potters Angel - An herbivore (algae eater) - doesn't really eat many "bugs" though in aquaria all Pygmy Angels learn to eat frozen meaty and dry processed foods Flame Angel - Another Pygmy Angel, again an herbivore Scooter Blenny - Definitely a bug eater, but in anything less than a 75 gal tank will quickly deplete the bug population and starve, unless it learns to eat frozen meaty foods. Midas Blenny (jumped) - jumping of this kind of fish is usually caused by lack of cover/hiding places. Bicolor Blenny - very much an herbivore another Potters Angel - again... Blue Linkia star fish - Linkia Sea Stars rarely survive even 6 months in aquaria because of conditions and starvation. The hobby really does not have a good idea on how to keep these alive. Because of this we here in the WMAS generally try to talk people out of getting them.
Maroon Clownfish are very territorial, often claiming up to 100 gals of space for themselves. This territorial aggressiveness is influenced by their perception of the food supply. The food supply is not just "bugs", most commonly Amphipods and Copepods, but involves other forms of invertebrate life as well. A healthy tank should have several types of worms. If the tank is bare, meaning the LR has little growing on it and there is little algae and sponge on the rock, then that tank needs to be given the stuff that will make it healthier, more like the ocean environment it is supposed to replicate. If you would like some suggestions for making this tank healthier to stop the scourge of death, please post a pic, answers the questions asked above and hang in there. You're not alone. We've all gone through this.
Aloha, Mark 
Amphipod / Grammerus (maximum size 3/8")
Copepod (maximum size 1/16", usually smaller)
Edited by Mark Peterson - October 21 2015 at 2:44pm
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redleader
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 2:37pm |
Thanks Mark, I will post pictures, I greatly appreciate the input.
I won't be purchasing any more sand stars or Linkia stars for sure. I don't like it when things die on me.
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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redleader
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 2:39pm |
Here is a full tank shot from a week ago, I'll get some new close up pics of the rocks and so forth later as I can.
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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redleader
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 3:47pm |
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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redleader
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 3:48pm |
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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redleader
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Posted: October 21 2015 at 3:49pm |
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Everything in life is possible. You just have to dream big, and act bigger.
150 G Reef
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