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Dinkins Aquatic Gardens how many live copepods should I buy for my reef tank

How Many Live Copepods Do I Need to Buy for a Healthy & Stable Reef Tank?

How many live copepods should you buy and how often should you buy copepods? If you want a healthy, vibrant, and stable reef tank but aren't planning to keep a mandarin or other dragonet, then you won't need to add as many copepods or do so as frequently.

On the other hand, feeding a mandarin dragonet, or any other type of heavy pod-eating fish, can be tricky. You want to have enough copepods in your tank to create a thriving population that only needs to be supplemented periodically.

See the sections below for suggestions on buying copepods based on your tank size and goals.

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens logo fish divider
Vibrant coral reef tank after live copepod and phytoplankton dosing

I want a healthy overall reef tank

My tank is 30 gallons or smaller

A one-time purchase of Reef Snacklebox 16 Ounces every month for absolute best results. After several months, you can comfortably change the subscription frequency to every two months.

A one-time purchase will absolutely work, but your copepod population will take longer to become established. You'll eventually see excellent results with a strong, diverse biome but it will take longer. If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription, we'd suggest our Reef Snacklebox 32 Ounces.

My Tank is 31 - 70 Gallons

We recommend our Reef Snacklebox 32 Ounces every month for absolute best results. After several months, you can comfortably change the subscription frequency to every two months.

A one-time purchase will absolutely work, but your copepod population will take longer to become established. You'll eventually see excellent results with a strong, diverse biome but it will take longer. If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription right now, we'd suggest our Half Gallon Reef Snacklebox.

My tank is 71 - 140 Gallons

We recommend our Half Gallon Reef Snacklebox every month for absolute best results. After several months, you can comfortably change the subscription frequency to every two months.

A one-time purchase will absolutely work, but your copepod population will take longer to become established. You'll eventually see excellent results with a strong, diverse biome but it will take longer. If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription right now, we'd recommend our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox.

My tank is 141 - 200 Gallons

We recommend our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox every month for absolute best results. After several months, you can comfortably change the subscription frequency to every two months.

A one-time purchase will absolutely work, but your copepod population will take longer to become established. You'll eventually see excellent results with a strong, diverse biome but it will take longer. If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription right now, we'd recommend two of our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox.

Please use code TWOGALLONS at checkout to save 20% when buying two gallons of Reef Snacklebox! (Does not stack with any other discounts.)

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens logo fish divider
Healthy mandarin goby after eating live copepods

I want to feed a mandarin or other dragonet

My tank is 30 gallons or smaller

Mandarins and other heavy pod-eaters may struggle in tanks smaller than 30 gallons, because there won't be enough hiding places for a self-sustaining copepod colony to establish.

My tank is 31 - 70 Gallons

We recommend a monthly subscription of our Reef Snacklebox 32 Ounces. Wait 2-3 months before adding your mandarin. After six months, you should be able to reduce the subscription frequency to every two months.

To add your mandarin immediately, then change the frequency to every two weeks and continue for at least a year.

If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription, we'd suggest our Half Gallon Reef Snacklebox and waiting 6-8 months while regularly feeding phytoplankton.

My tank is 71 - 140 Gallons

We recommend a monthly subscription of our Half Gallon Reef Snacklebox. Wait 2-3 months before adding your mandarin. After six months, you should be able to reduce the subscription frequency to every two months.

To add your mandarin immediately, then change the frequency to every two weeks and continue for at least a year.

If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription, we'd suggest our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox and waiting 6-8 months while regularly feeding phytoplankton.

My tank is 141 - 200 Gallons

We recommend a monthly subscription of our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox. Wait 2-3 months before adding your mandarin. After six months, you should be able to reduce the subscription frequency to every two months.

To add your mandarin immediately, then change the frequency to every two weeks and continue for at least six months.

If you'd prefer not to setup a subscription, we'd suggest two of our One Gallon Reef Snacklebox and waiting 6-8 months while regularly feeding phytoplankton.

Please use code TWOGALLONS at checkout to save 20% when buying two gallons of Reef Snacklebox! (Does not stack with any other discounts.)