copepod eat algae?

would copepods feed on algae that grow when the light in the tank is on for a long time? wouldn't that be the phytoplankton?i read how some people grow their own phyto, so what i am asking has to be wrong, but why?also, i read that copepods feed on meaty foods too, so you don't really need phytoplankton to grow them, right?i blended some silversides and krill, my scooters don't look at it, but my snails sure love it.

 

If you want to add pods, plankton, etc you should build a refugium. I don't think feeding snails is a very good idea either. They're for clean up, if you feed them then when are they going to clean up the stuff you don't want in there? Unless you want lots of algae and nitrates...

 

sorry,

what i meant was that i tried to feed my scooters some blended stuff, and they rejected. the snail cleaned it up. i don't really feed the snails.

i have been reading about cultivating phytoplankton for the past few days, but i thought that i might not need any if copepods can feed on algae and meatty leftovers.
I do have a refugium, but i was thinking to jumpstart my tanks colony in both the tank and the refugium.

 

I don't think letting them feed on meaty leftovers is such a good idea, once again, I think you'll just end up with excessive waste (nitrates, etc). Just let your refugium take it's time and do it's job right...

 

Copepods and amphipods primarily eat microalgae, but even so the amount they eat is unnoticable for the most part. To feed the scooter I would try frozen fish eggs, try the LFSs in your area and ask if they can get you some. OR go out to an asian food market and buy capeline roe, BUT look for stuff that isn't flavored or filled w/ MSG. Phytoplankton can be an annoyance to cultivate, some people do not mind it, people like me have no time or patience for empty 2 liters and airstones just to grow green water. Typically what eats phyto are filterfeeders like clams,scallops,some softies and small zooplankton such as rotifers.

Good luck

 

thanks, i just received in the mail my copepods and i am trying to multiply them.

on Ocean Pods: FAQ they say that you could feed copepods flake food, as long as you don't overfeed.

so that is my project right now.

thanks for the input i will look for the fish eggs.

 

I feed my scooter brine shrimp, mysis, and blood worms. He also gets pods from the live rock.

 

Agree...
seed my fuge with pods...and suppliment fuge with photoplex...to feed the pods...works great.
Tried to give my blue tank a bit'o seaweed to eat and the turbo snail came up and destroyed it...fast!...Dont want to feed the snails...they got work to do enough. : )
LG