Paddy's Mandarin Paradise

[paddyob]

Based on some advice received through here... I have gone out to grab 2 pounds of live rubble and made a dedicated "pod pile" in the main display as well.

Not the most eye appealing... but this tank is about the Mandarins.

I already have the refugium filled with sand and rubble so hopefully this will help.

I also added "reef bugs" to the tank. Apparently its a good product so I figure I will give it a whirl.

Anyone used reef bugs before?


Still... bad pics. Be patient.

Thanks.

[Greenmaster]

I have used "reef bugs" before... I didn't have mandarin's but I did you dry rock. I noticed some "small life" within about a week or so, as well as most of my fish ate some of the stuff.

[paddyob]

The male never made it.

The female however, fat. She hides when she sees me still but appears motivated to move about when I drop NLS pellet in.

I believe she is eating this.

[Myka]

If you deposit the food onto a small tray (like a plastic mayonnaise lid) everyday the Mandarins will get used to going there for food.

[paddyob]

After many many months ... She finally stays out long enough for a photo.

[paddyob]

Rick in Morinville had to shut his system down and I grabbed his Royal Gramma.

She is beautiful and healthy. I figured it was a nice safe addition to the mandarin system. Should not be a threat or competition.

She has been in there some time now and both the mandarin and gramma are happy.

The Mandarin actually ventures around the tank more with the addition of a tank mate.

[paddyob]

New lights coming soon.

Upgrade long overdue.

Moving from dual 65w pc to 4 bulb T5.

Stay tuned.

[paddyob]

Gauging interest....

Might shut this system down.

Baby coming, this small tank is more work than my sump system.

Minus the fish.

[paddyob]

Sadly, I see a shut down coming.

No time for two tanks.

Considering adding my mandarin to my 70g display. Them selling the Royal Gramma and storing the tank.

Took time to get a good 20g set up so why sell it. I'll
Get the bug for more tanks. In fact, asides from the display tank... The rest will eventually be a part of a new build. In my bar.

Maybe sea horses and mandarin.

We will see.

Hoping the mandarin takes to my tank.

Maybe I'll acclimate her to my sump. Drop all the rock from my 20 in there too.

[paddyob]

The shut down has begun.

Starting moving all the rock to my other systems sump. Corals going today.

Gramma will be up for sale immediately and the Mandarin is going to make an entrance to my 70G system.

I may leave the tank running empty for a bit as I cannot seem to bring myself to dismantle the absolutely amazing refugium I have populated.

Might breed pods in there. Not much to think about.

I have high hopes of a new Mandarin build in the following year. BIGGER and built into my bar. Should be fun.



Thanks for following.