starting a nano and need guidance

[gobytron]

I kept my pair of Mandys in a 12 gallon aquapod for over a year, never fed this tank even once.

The key?

the tank was already established for 2 year and the left most rear chamber was jam packed with LR rubble in the bottom 2/3 and chaeto in the top 1/3.
This chamber creates a microfauna paradise that the predatory fish cannot access and deplete the reproductive potential.

At lights on, the sand literally looke alive due to all the micro fauna this system produced.

If you're serious about doing a mandarin in a nano, the aquapod or biocube is a fantastic way to go.

you will not be adding any fish to it for at least 6 months though.