Hey Jim, Just getting caught up with things after getting back from MACNA. Six months is an ok place to start. At this point it is a minimal maintenance thing, like stirring the top 1" on the sand. Allow whatever comes up to mix with the water. It is a good source of food for filter feeders. Pods. Yes, I have purchased them from Adelaide Rhodes at Ocean Pods - Aquacultured Copepods for the hobbyist, here's another source, PRODUCTS CATALOG AT SACHS SYSTEMS AQUACULTURE!, although I haven't tried them yet. There are probably more. Did they work? Sure. The purpose of the cultures is to replenish the brood stock in your refugium. If you want a continuous supply you have to culture them seperately. Dick