First Algae Barn Order -- Almost Nothing Inside

garbermatt · 09/23/2017, 11:26 PM

So I ordered my first shipment from Algae Barn this week. I got their 5280 pods and phyto (buy one get one free). The phyto looks good, but the pods were so tiny, I couldn't see anything even with a flashlight. Although I couldn't count them, there were very few. I didn't think much of it because I figured that they're mostly microscopic, but then I just watched another person's unboxing video tonight and it looked nothing like mine. All stages of development; much larger; and many, many more than my bags.

I bought these to propagate so I added some phyto to 5 gallon buckets and put an air line in there and seeing very little life today. Has anyone else had this experience?

scuzy · 09/23/2017, 11:31 PM

Try contacting them. Usually they don't propagate that fast. Give it a few days. You'll noticed your water clearing up from the light green tint.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Jon0807 · 09/24/2017, 12:37 AM

I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't.

garbermatt · 09/24/2017, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon0807

I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't.

Yeah, I'm the making maybe I'll try Todd's pods. Sounds like he's got good reviews.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rilelen · 09/24/2017, 09:09 AM

Interesting; I've been on the fence about ordering from them.

mfinn · 09/24/2017, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbermatt

So I ordered my first shipment from Algae Barn this week. I got their 5280 pods and phyto (buy one get one free). The phyto looks good, but the pods were so tiny, I couldn't see anything even with a flashlight. Although I couldn't count them, there were very few. I didn't think much of it because I figured that they're mostly microscopic, but then I just watched another person's unboxing video tonight and it looked nothing like mine. All stages of development; much larger; and many, many more than my bags.

I bought these to propagate so I added some phyto to 5 gallon buckets and put an air line in there and seeing very little life today. Has anyone else had this experience?

The pods are copepods which are very tiny. They do say they ship you pods ranging from nauplii to adult sizes.
As already mentioned, contact them. They do listen and respond.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon0807

I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't.

It will grow better if you have decent flow in your refugium.

garbermatt · 09/24/2017, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfinn

The pods are copepods which are very tiny. They do say they ship you pods ranging from nauplii to adult sizes.

As already mentioned, contact them. They do listen and respond.

It will grow better if you have decent flow in your refugium.

Thanks, I'll reach out to them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

homer1475 · 09/24/2017, 02:22 PM

Was going to say, I've order from them multiple times, and have never had an issue with their pods. You do realize copopods are mostly microscopic and can't be seen with the naked eye?

Put a couple drops of the water under a microscope, you'll be surprised. I had always thought I was getting ripped off to(sending just a bag of water), but I had a friend look at them under a microscope and I was pleasantly surprised.

With that said, I would never buy copopods from anywhere else but algaebarn.

homer1475 · 09/24/2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon0807

I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't.

There are many reason chaeto dies in a sump. if it was tightly packed and very green, it's your tank and not what they shipped you that is the problem.

Jon0807 · 09/24/2017, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

There are many reason chaeto dies in a sump. if it was tightly packed and very green, it's your tank and not what they shipped you that is the problem.

It was very dark green and coming out of the package, it was somewhat tightly packed. But as soon as I put in in my fuge, it sank to the bottom and broke apart, sending strands all over the place including my DT. I had to turn down the flow so that all the stray strands stopped swirling around and getting into my DT.

The fuge is about 15 gallons, lit with a kessil H80 set to bloom/100%. It stayed pretty dark green for a few weeks. I tried to turn it over manually once a week but then I started to notice it was getting white. And GHA was starting to grow in the fuge

homer1475 · 09/24/2017, 03:54 PM

Chaeto likes to tumble, constantly. I had the same issue, turning white, GHA growing in it, etc. Added a small PH to my sump so the chaeto tumbled, and it thrived. I have since switched to an ATS, it works loads better!

Yonp11 · 09/25/2017, 09:20 AM

Ordered from them multiple times, never had a problem. I've always held the bag up to the light you can see the tiny pods swimming and moving around.

AlgaeBarn · 09/25/2017, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbermatt

So I ordered my first shipment from Algae Barn this week. I got their 5280 pods and phyto (buy one get one free). The phyto looks good, but the pods were so tiny, I couldn't see anything even with a flashlight. Although I couldn't count them, there were very few. I didn't think much of it because I figured that they're mostly microscopic, but then I just watched another person's unboxing video tonight and it looked nothing like mine. All stages of development; much larger; and many, many more than my bags.

I bought these to propagate so I added some phyto to 5 gallon buckets and put an air line in there and seeing very little life today. Has anyone else had this experience?

Hi Matt, we are sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with your order. We offer a 100% Alive On Arrival Guarantee and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Please contact us at 772-444-7637, or support@algaebarn.com, or via live chat on every page of our website between 10am-6pm mst. It sounds like you may have just had a DOA which happens sometimes but rest assured we will take care of you and make it right with a free replacement. Ive also just left you a voicemail. Hope to hear from you soon, thanks!

AlgaeBarn · 09/25/2017, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon0807

I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't.

Hello, please contact us about this order. If we are unaware of the issue we cannot solve the problem. We are happy to send you a replacement free of charge if you were not satisfied. Hope to hear from you soon, thank you!

garbermatt · 09/25/2017, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlgaeBarn

Hello, please contact us about this order. If we are unaware of the issue we cannot solve the problem. We are happy to send you a replacement free of charge if you were not satisfied. Hope to hear from you soon, thank you!

Thanks very much for the response and sending the free replacement!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

StinkinTuna · 09/25/2017, 12:01 PM

Glad they are taking care of it and making things right, makes me feel confident about ordering from them on a new tank coming up. Maybe next time contact them first if there is a prob.

garbermatt · 09/25/2017, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkinTuna

Glad they are taking care of it and making things right, makes me feel confident about ordering from them on a new tank coming up. Maybe next time contact them first if there is a prob.

Yeah I didn't realize there was anything they could do since I didn't think it was DOA. Will do next time though if something happens.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ktownhero · 09/25/2017, 01:59 PM

I ordered mixed pods from them and it was great. Tons of life, but they ARE nearly microscopic... Keep that in mind. You have to really focus your eyes right to see them.

Jon0807 · 09/25/2017, 08:34 PM

Yeah that is very good to hear. I thought since I waited too long that it was too late to do anything about it. I'll contact them and see what they say

Jon0807 · 09/27/2017, 07:35 AM

So I contacted Algae Barn and they responded the very next day. Chaeto was out of stock but offered to ship the pods now and the chaeto when it was back in stock or offered me a refund or store credit. I told them to just ship it all at once when it came in. I'm very happy with their customer service. It's what usually keeps me coming back to a company. Hopefully this batch does better than the first. I'll keep you guys posted.

09/23/2017, 11:26 PM	#1
garbermatt Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 58	First Algae Barn Order -- Almost Nothing Inside So I ordered my first shipment from Algae Barn this week. I got their 5280 pods and phyto (buy one get one free). The phyto looks good, but the pods were so tiny, I couldn't see anything even with a flashlight. Although I couldn't count them, there were very few. I didn't think much of it because I figured that they're mostly microscopic, but then I just watched another person's unboxing video tonight and it looked nothing like mine. All stages of development; much larger; and many, many more than my bags. I bought these to propagate so I added some phyto to 5 gallon buckets and put an air line in there and seeing very little life today. Has anyone else had this experience?

09/24/2017, 12:37 AM	#3
Jon0807 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 293	I had a very similar experience. I also got some chaeto which did nothing but sink to the bottom of my fuge and crumble. It's now dying. I don't know if it's user error, or if the stuff I got was bad. But this was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd wait it out and see if stuff started growing but it hasn't. __________________ 40g breeder DT, 40g breeder sump

09/24/2017, 09:09 AM	#5
Rilelen Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 245	Interesting; I've been on the fence about ordering from them. __________________ 72g: Percula pair, Foxface, Kole tang, Midas Blenny, Blue/green chromis, Yellow & green clown goby pairs Office Nano Tank System (29 Gallon + 20 Gallon): Saltwater mollies + fry

09/24/2017, 02:22 PM	#8
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Was going to say, I've order from them multiple times, and have never had an issue with their pods. You do realize copopods are mostly microscopic and can't be seen with the naked eye? Put a couple drops of the water under a microscope, you'll be surprised. I had always thought I was getting ripped off to(sending just a bag of water), but I had a friend look at them under a microscope and I was pleasantly surprised. With that said, I would never buy copopods from anywhere else but algaebarn. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/24/2017, 03:54 PM	#11
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Chaeto likes to tumble, constantly. I had the same issue, turning white, GHA growing in it, etc. Added a small PH to my sump so the chaeto tumbled, and it thrived. I have since switched to an ATS, it works loads better! __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/23/2017, 11:31 PM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Try contacting them. Usually they don't propagate that fast. Give it a few days. You'll noticed your water clearing up from the light green tint. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09/25/2017, 09:20 AM	#12
Yonp11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 260	Ordered from them multiple times, never had a problem. I've always held the bag up to the light you can see the tiny pods swimming and moving around.

09/25/2017, 12:01 PM	#16
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	Glad they are taking care of it and making things right, makes me feel confident about ordering from them on a new tank coming up. Maybe next time contact them first if there is a prob.

09/25/2017, 01:59 PM	#18
ktownhero Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,426	I ordered mixed pods from them and it was great. Tons of life, but they ARE nearly microscopic... Keep that in mind. You have to really focus your eyes right to see them.

09/25/2017, 08:34 PM	#19
Jon0807 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 293	Yeah that is very good to hear. I thought since I waited too long that it was too late to do anything about it. I'll contact them and see what they say __________________ 40g breeder DT, 40g breeder sump

09/27/2017, 07:35 AM	#20
Jon0807 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 293	So I contacted Algae Barn and they responded the very next day. Chaeto was out of stock but offered to ship the pods now and the chaeto when it was back in stock or offered me a refund or store credit. I told them to just ship it all at once when it came in. I'm very happy with their customer service. It's what usually keeps me coming back to a company. Hopefully this batch does better than the first. I'll keep you guys posted. __________________ 40g breeder DT, 40g breeder sump