Step-by-step
Step 1: Set up refugium or dedicated tankIn-sump refugium with chaetomorpha = ideal home for copepods. OR dedicated 5g tank with sponge filter + chaeto.
Step 2: Inoculate with copepod starterAdd 1-2 bottles of live copepods (Tigger-pods, Apocyclops, Tisbe). Different species fill different niches; mix for biodiversity.
Step 3: Feed phytoplankton 2-3x weeklyLive Phyto-Feast or RotiGreen at the manufacturer dose. Phyto = food for copepods. Maintain green tint.
Step 4: Wait 14-21 days for boomCopepods double population every 7-14 days. Visible at lights-off (they emerge from rocks/chaeto).
Step 5: Maintain self-sustaining cultureRefugium with chaeto + reverse-cycle lighting + regular phyto feeding = perpetual copepod supply for display.
Step 6: Harvest if neededFor dedicated cultures: harvest with very fine mesh net at lights-off. For refugium: copepods naturally migrate through plumbing to display.
FAQ
Can I keep mandarin without live copepods?
Wild-caught mandarin: virtually impossible. Captive-bred mandarin (ORA, Sustainable Aquatics): yes - they're trained to accept frozen + pellets. Always verify before buying.
How many copepods does a mandarin eat per day?
Adult mandarin eats 100-300 copepods daily. Tank must produce more than is consumed = sustainable refugium with chaeto + phyto feeding.
Are tigriopus copepods tropical?
No - Tigriopus californicus are temperate (50-77°F). Most reef tanks (76-82°F) are at the upper edge but still productive. Apocyclops + Tisbe are tropical-specific.