how to start and maintain a thriving pod population?

[Snakebyt]

I am wanting to keep a pair of mandrins in the future and i know i need pods. Any tips for starting and maintaining a good pod population?
I just ordered some cheato for my fuge and it will have some pods in it. where do i get more? I know they will breed, but the more the merrier right?
thanks

[mr9iron]

Originally posted by Snakebyt
I am wanting to keep a pair of mandrins in the future and i know i need pods. Any tips for starting and maintaining a good pod population?
I just ordered some cheato for my fuge and it will have some pods in it. where do i get more? I know they will breed, but the more the merrier right?
thanks

Snakebyt, keeping a fuge that has some macro and a decent amount of live rock is a good way to get your pod population going. Just remember not to put any pod predators in the fuge and all will be fine. Remember to give your system plenty of time to mature and let your pod population grow before you think about adding the mandrins as well. One more thing to consider is the size and amount of live rock that you have in your main display. If it's a small display a pair of mandrins may be pusing it.

Vince

[Snakebyt]

the main display is a 58 gallon, with a 20 long for sump/fuge.
pushing close to 100# LR total.
In the fuge, can i dose it or feed the pods to increase production?

I will wait several months before i add the fish, but i want them to do well so i want a thriving pod population first

[dugg]

You cannot successfully keep 2 mandrins in a 58 gallon tank. Each mandrin needs around 100 lbs of live rock to supply enough pods to feed it. You will be pushing the issue to keep 1 in a 58 gallon tank. You would need a 140 gallon or larger to keep 2 of them healthy.

[kbmdale]

Exactly what the ones before said..Fuge with macro and DOSE PHYTO...I have noticed a huge boost in pods after dosing once every 3-4 days with phyto..

[kbmdale]

Originally posted by dugg
You cannot successfully keep 2 mandrins in a 58 gallon tank. Each mandrin needs around 100 lbs of live rock to supply enough pods to feed it. You will be pushing the issue to keep 1 in a 58 gallon tank. You would need a 140 gallon or larger to keep 2 of them healthy.

I guess you don't wanna hear that I have one doing great in a 30g with about 40# of rock.....He use to be in a 20g....


You should be OK putting 2 in a 58g as long as you have a fuge and load up on pods first.

[Snakebyt]

i just got some DT's today and will start dosing with that. hoping that the cheato i have coming in will kickstart my pod production

[druce]

chaeto and phyto is how I got my vast population of pods in my fuge.

I also stocked with some pods from http://www.seapods.com for some insurance. Some people like them, some don't. I had luck FWIW.

[phergus_25]

stuff like that generalization really errg me, I mean I wouldent put a maderin in a 10 gal or most 20gals but I think you will be fine, I had one for 2 years, then he got bit by a powerhead... no more manderin. But i suggest getting a small pile of LR rubble and piling it somewhere so that the pods can hide from the fish, it helped in my tank a good bit.
-greg

[ebzhighestbidder]

You can culture them, you can read about it in the breeding section

[las]

you can keep a mandarin in a 3 gallon nano if its connected to a 50 gallon fuge.

[BradL.]

Leaving your tank free of fish for a couple months is a great way to watch your pod population explode. You can leave an air line size tubing syphoning into your refugium during this time to build up a really good population in there.Place the tubing in the back of your tank close to the bottom,enjoy.