Jason and Ned came over tonight and we had a couple beers over aqua scaping the tank.

We got a pretty good base down and I'll work it from there. I am going to take the basic configuration and create more open spaces and passages between for the Mandarins to explore. I need to use the epoxy to ensure the pieces stay in place.

Do I have pics? Not tonight. Will I? Yes. See yah soon :twised:

Progress!
 

Well here are a couple progress pics... for some reason any pics I upload lately are seriously messed up.. pixely. Not sure why. Sorry in advance.

Here is the first go round with the rock work. I am going for a mini mass in the 20 so the Mandarins can swim all sides.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=4354


Refugium beginnings...

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=4353

Revamped Aquascape
 

Well, I think I am happy with the rocks now.

I did some shuffling and made some neat caves. Have a look and let me know what you think!

FTS:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=4364


The cave entrance....

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=4365


Also added two pounds of live rubble to my refugium. Looking good!

Also... added the second Koralia Nano.

One more and I am set.


I dropped a bag of carbon in the first chamber in the fuge. As they tank is cycling it is pretty green/yellowy. Gotta clear that up.


Looking for ideas on what to put in here. It is going to be soft corals. I have currenty a Kenya tree and GSP in there.

Anyone have any nice softies to contribute to the cause? Trades for?

Looks great Pat.

Thanks Brotha Man! See yah in a week.

I have a feeling. Feeling is telling me that I am probably going to move the rocks again. A little.

Something is not quite right.

Hey Patrick, this is a cool idea. I love Mandarins too! :D Have you kept a pair before? Do you plan to breed them?

I have not kept a pair before.

I do intend to try breed them. It is obviously being done elsewhere, and mandarins are known to tank breed.

I figure if I set up the tank to directly cater to them, no competition, then there is a chance they may.

I am open to suggestions if anyone has them, in regards to breeding Mandarins, raising fry, ideal conditions, etc.

I love Mandarins and hope to do well.

The tank is cycling. I will perform the first water tests today to see where its at. I will not be adding Mandarins until June-July.

To help my PODs reproduce in the meantime.... should I feed the tank anything specific?

If you plan to breed them you will need a taller tank. They make an ascent as they breed, and they won't be able to complete the act if the tank isn't tall enough. A breeding pair will probably need a bigger tank as they are quite aggressive to each other when not breeding. Separating them my be required.

For pods, I suggest an attached overflow style refugium to provide a safe place for pods to breed.