Do copepods and amphipods naturally appear or do you need buy and culture them first?

[arlong1]

I was wondering does one need to buy copepod and amphipods seperately to seed in their tank for more to grow or do they naturally appear.

 

[Lotus]

Generally they'll naturally appear. They come in on the live rock.

 

[arlong1]

Do you know when they start showing themselves during the live rock die off? The only time I saw amphipods was when I was cleaning my live rock 2 weeks ago but they were already dead and floating in the water.

 

[Lotus]

I don't think I noticed mine until the cycle was finished.

 

[1979camaro]

It can take a few months or more for populations of noticeable size to establish themselves.

 

[CoolWaters]

if u see them on the surface of the water then it could be their exoskeleton.

mine came with the chaeto that i bought

 

[TRe]

pods are usually signs of an established system

 

[Joe Fish]

I think it was about 6 or so months before I seen them in my tank. Generally they stay hidden during the day and come out after the lights go out.

 

[angelmom]

I saw some in my refugium about a month or so after I set up my tank. I added a bottle (rather expensive little bottle) of them to boost them but they were there naturally.

Sometimes I can see them in the refugium during the day but mostly you will see them out at night (like otheres have said).

 

[MrBungle]

I had tons of em while my mandarin was busy being probed by aliens but now there are only a few here and there. I noticed they hang out under my magfloat. its like a pod breeding house lol

 

[Joe Fish]

You can stack some little pieces of live rock in a corner of the tank to make a 'pod house'.