Low Pod Count

jktenpro

jktenpro

Member
I have a 90 gal FOWLR w/90 lbs of Fiji live rock, wet dry and protein skimmer. The tank has been set up for about 1 1/2 yrs.
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0 to 2
ph-8.2
sal-1.024
temp-80-81
I have 5 fish, purple tang, juv emporer angel, cinnamon clown, six-line wrasse, and a damsel. I have not lost anything except a few snails and hermits and the numbers have been consistent the whole time.
I just purchased a mandarin and after reading everywhere that an established tank with live rock after a year or so should have a beneficial pod count I figured it did. Not the case. The mandarin is getting thinner and thinner and I've had him for about 4 weeks. I also went on line and purchased pods from Adelaide 2 weeks ago and do not see an increase. I have 3 inches of sand but really do not notice any life after the lights are out. The mandarin will eat mysis but trying to spot feed with the fish I have is difficult. The turnover in the tank is about 15x.
I am wondering why the sand dosen't seem to be too alive after all this time because it was the 1st four or five months the tank was set up. I should have obseved the tank at night before buying the mandarin but just assumed after reading that the tank was abundant with life. Any suggestions would be great.
 
miaheatlvr

miaheatlvr

Active Member
Originally Posted by jktenpro
I have a 90 gal FOWLR w/90 lbs of Fiji live rock, wet dry and protein skimmer. The tank has been set up for about 1 1/2 yrs.
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0 to 2
ph-8.2
sal-1.024
temp-80-81
I have 5 fish, purple tang, juv emporer angel, cinnamon clown, six-line wrasse, and a damsel. I have not lost anything except a few snails and hermits and the numbers have been consistent the whole time.
I just purchased a mandarin and after reading everywhere that an established tank with live rock after a year or so should have a beneficial pod count I figured it did. Not the case. The mandarin is getting thinner and thinner and I've had him for about 4 weeks. I also went on line and purchased pods from Adelaide 2 weeks ago and do not see an increase. I have 3 inches of sand but really do not notice any life after the lights are out. The mandarin will eat mysis but trying to spot feed with the fish I have is difficult. The turnover in the tank is about 15x.
I am wondering why the sand dosen't seem to be too alive after all this time because it was the 1st four or five months the tank was set up. I should have obseved the tank at night before buying the mandarin but just assumed after reading that the tank was abundant with life. Any suggestions would be great.
I think the only way to consistently maintain a high pod count, unfortunately is with a REFUGIUM. That way they can grow, reproduce and thrive without being picked-off by tank predators.
 
my way

my way

Active Member
You need to build a "Pod Pile", this is simply a pile of rubble that is packed tightly enough that your fish can't get to the center of. It's sort of a refugium within your tank. Most people who do this, put the rubble pile behind their rocks so as not to ruin the look of your aquascaping. Make sure to provide food to the pile of rubble so the pods have something to feed off of. I also agree, your 6-line is probably doing a number on your population.
 
jktenpro

jktenpro

Member
I guess I will have to change the wet dry out for a fuge. I thought with the tank running this long even without a refugium that the mandarin would have a plentiful supply of pods for a lot longer. Noticing him loosing weight in the first 2 weeks is surprising. I thought maybe the turnover of water was high and causing a decline, which I had read. I only have had the six-line for 2 months but maybe he has devoured the population even though I haven't noticed any life on the glass for a long while. I figured enough was on the rock but the mandarin looks at me and shakes his head no.
Thanks
 
sign guy

sign guy

Active Member
Originally Posted by jktenpro
I guess I will have to change the wet dry out for a fuge. I thought with the tank running this long even without a refugium that the mandarin would have a plentiful supply of pods for a lot longer. Noticing him loosing weight in the first 2 weeks is surprising. I thought maybe the turnover of water was high and causing a decline, which I had read. I only have had the six-line for 2 months but maybe he has devoured the population even though I haven't noticed any life on the glass for a long while. I figured enough was on the rock but the mandarin looks at me and shakes his head no.
Thanks
add a fuge dont get rid of your w/d post a pic you may be able to turn your sump into a fuge
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
If your 6 Line is anything like mine he's devoured your pods.
bingo! not really a fish you want to have when maintaining a manderin.
 
S

sea_star

Guest
Off topic a little, but is it ok to have a mandarin w/o a fuge, as long as I know there are tons of pods that come out at night?
 
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