mandarin

There is one thing you could consider for your tank...a refugium. I don't have a sump on my reef tank so I converted an old aquaclear 110 filter into one. I just ditched the sponge and cut the basket to hold the chaeto from flowing into the tank. I threw some LR rubble in the bottom and pulled chaeto from the sump on my 210g. I run t5's that are high enough to illuminate the fuge and the chaeto is growing like crazy. This was a lot cheaper that buying a HOB fuge or converting my tank for a sump. I have pods like you wouldn't believe crawling around for my mandarin and scooter. They also eat brine but without the pods they would have starved a long time ago. This is just a suggestion you may want to consider if you don't have/ don't want a sump but want to keep an ample pod population.

 

yeah when i have the 135 set up, i have a 55 gallon sump, and i am making like a 3rd of it or more a fuge, so like 15-20 gallons of it, but for now i have the same aqua clear laying around somewhere, can you take some pics of the one you did?

 

The other great thing about this is the pods fall into the tank via gravity, they dont have to go through a pump/impeller setup where their likely to get turned into minced pods

 

I have no desire to keep a mandarine although they are a very nice addition to any well established tank I would suggest a fuge aswell.

 

yeah, we will see about them, idk i think they are just one of the most beautiful fish i have ever seen.

 

I tried to take a couple of pictures with my old digital camera but they didn't turn out well enough to see. My son has my new one on vacation. Figures..lol. Anyhow, it is really easy to convert. Just remove the basket, ditch the sponge filter and cut the basket. I cut it in 4 pieces along the corners. I put one of the small side pieces against the intake so chaeto wouldn't get in the chamber. I then took one of the long sides and put it high in the front so the chaeto wouldn't fall into the tank. Some still does but it is a small amount. I have heard of some that glue everything together but I didn't have to. The LR rubble pretty much holds everything in place. Flow isn't really strong enough to make these move. The other 2 pieces I kept for some unknown reason. Hope this helps and when my son gets back maybe I can get some decent pictures.

One a side note...when I was trying to get pictures I saw what must have been 100 baby brittle stars. So, not only do you get pods, you get mini cleanup crews