On the contrary, I am already well within the addicted phase and plan quite an extensive setup. However it is going to be aimed more for fishcare than corals, so I should be able to save on what would be the most expensive part of the system. I know how much lights cost just to buy the balast etc. Add in the replacement cost of bulbs and I'm not enjoying the hobby anymore.
I have a decent size established tank and will have a refugium in the new system, mandarin should do fine.
Which brings me to another question, (sorry for the run-on thread); I have never seen any pods in my tank. Lots of featherdusters, small coral type things and a small amount of coralline growing throughout the tank but no signs of microfauna. I've checked at night with the flashlight and closely studied all areas of the rockwork. This is why I have not tried a mandarin yet, and won't until I get a good foodbase. But why don't I yet?

Maybe the fish you have ,or had in the past cleaned out the pod population.What kind of fish do you have?Have you never see any pods since you started your tank?
Maybe put some live sand or a piece of live rock in your refuge
and when you see that they've migrated to your main tank in large numbers ,then try a Mandarin.It might take some time,but if you're going
slow anyways it should work out.

Pods grow like crazy (if conditions are right) among macro algae and rock pilesand other places of shelter. There's a bunch underneath my LTA, for instance.

BTW, some lighting setups for sale this weekend on the board.
:biggrin:

Get yourself some phytoplankton and rotifers and buy a rock from someone infested. :biggrin:

I've always had luck getting the green spotted mandarins to take mysis as well.

As Deb says some Mandarins will eat prepared food. I have had a 1.5" Mandarin in my 50 for several months. There are pods in the tank, but the little guy fights my two very large Cleaner Shrimps for flake food of all things. :eek: :rolleyes:

I have had a flame angel for over a year. I had a sixline wrasse for a long time before she jumped out. I had a leopard wrasse for quite a while but it did not survive the move. I have never seen any pods.


Don't have a refuge. Yet.

I have lots of protected areas they should be growing but they are empty, checked lots.

Saw the lights, I want them, can't do it right now.

[quote]Thought of this. Like the idea. Why wouldn't some have been on or develop from live rock I have purchased in the past?

I have a juvenile niger trigger that is destined for the big tank. I want to wait until him and his rambunctious buddy hogfish are gone before I start with the little peaceful guys. I'm willing to wait until the environment is right.

As suggested, they may have just been predated to the point of extinction, I think.