How to Assess Pod Population?

eastfernstreet · 04/12/2013, 08:20 AM

I have a six month old 90 gallon setup with 100+ pounds of live rock and a 1.5 inch sand/crushed coral substrate. (Sump w/out fuge.)

In another six months or so (when the tank is a year+) I'd like to add a Mandarin. How, exactly, does one figure out if the pod population is good?

Do you just assume that after a year there's a sufficient amount? I'm pretty clueless (and it show, I know).

Thanks!

HumbleFish · 04/12/2013, 08:32 AM

Well first, you need to add pods (maybe you've already done this?) If not, get a rock or some chaeto w/ pods already in it... or buy some "pods in a bottle" (Mandarins prefer Tisbe) to seed your tank. In 6 months or so, when you're ready to buy a Mandarin; take a flashlight at night and have a look at your rocks/glass. You should see tons of tiny pods crawling all around if you're ready for a Mandarin. But honestly, you're probably going to have to add a fuge to support a Mandarin. They have high metabolisms and insatiable appetites; they will decimate even a very large pod population in no time. A fuge provides a safe haven for pods to reproduce, where they can't get eaten.

eyesinthedrk · 04/12/2013, 01:27 PM

you need a fuge of some sort, be it a remote fuge with macro algae and/or live rock. or pod nurseries in the dt made out of rubble. its not so much about numbers. its more about sustainability.

MARINECRITTERS · 04/12/2013, 01:39 PM

Here this will work, just throw them in the DT or sump http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=pod+condo
BTW, these will probably not be good enough for a mandarin, even a refugium sometimes won't cut it. Best to leave them in the ocean or find one that eats prepared food.
If you are stuck on one, you can try live brine shrimp

04/12/2013, 08:20 AM	#1
eastfernstreet Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 150	How to Assess Pod Population? I have a six month old 90 gallon setup with 100+ pounds of live rock and a 1.5 inch sand/crushed coral substrate. (Sump w/out fuge.) In another six months or so (when the tank is a year+) I'd like to add a Mandarin. How, exactly, does one figure out if the pod population is good? Do you just assume that after a year there's a sufficient amount? I'm pretty clueless (and it show, I know). Thanks! __________________ Learning Patience In hobby since 09/12. Current Tank Info: 90 gal., 2 2x54w T5 w/ATI's, 100+ lbs. LR, 125 Coralife SuperSkimmer, 2x Maxspect Gyre XF250, 2 O. Clowns, 1 Longnosed Hawk, 1 Tomini Tang, 1 Flame Angel, 1 Green Mandarin, Rics, Fox, Montis, GSP, Zoas, Gorg, Birdsnest, Shrooms, Shrimp, Crabs, etc.

04/12/2013, 01:27 PM	#3
eyesinthedrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 675	you need a fuge of some sort, be it a remote fuge with macro algae and/or live rock. or pod nurseries in the dt made out of rubble. its not so much about numbers. its more about sustainability. __________________ Everybody knows you never go full retard. Current Tank Info: SPS dominated, 125 gallon dt with 3 Apollo reef LED pendants, Apex Controler. 100 gal basement sump, 100 gallon basement fuge, euro reef skimmer, reef octopu s cr140 calcium reactor. Phos an reactor.

04/12/2013, 01:39 PM	#4
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	Here this will work, just throw them in the DT or sump http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=pod+condo BTW, these will probably not be good enough for a mandarin, even a refugium sometimes won't cut it. Best to leave them in the ocean or find one that eats prepared food. If you are stuck on one, you can try live brine shrimp __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

04/12/2013, 08:32 AM	#2
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	Well first, you need to add pods (maybe you've already done this?) If not, get a rock or some chaeto w/ pods already in it... or buy some "pods in a bottle" (Mandarins prefer Tisbe) to seed your tank. In 6 months or so, when you're ready to buy a Mandarin; take a flashlight at night and have a look at your rocks/glass. You should see tons of tiny pods crawling all around if you're ready for a Mandarin. But honestly, you're probably going to have to add a fuge to support a Mandarin. They have high metabolisms and insatiable appetites; they will decimate even a very large pod population in no time. A fuge provides a safe haven for pods to reproduce, where they can't get eaten.