[eldalote2]

Im doing lots and lots of research before I get my 55 gal tank including joining this forum, wandering around my LFS with an employee in tow answering all my questions, as well as doing online research. I know mandarin goby's need larger tanks in order to survive because they eat the pods, but i am wondering how big? and if 55 gal just isnt enough, could i supplement it every so often to make sure its getting as much food as it needs? Im planning for this tank about 5 months in advance, but i have fell in love with the mandarin already! Any suggestions on how to keep one happy in a 55 gal?

[Marine1]

Can you go with a larger tank. I bought a 55 gal thinking it was a decent size. Now I wish I went even bigger at least 75 because the 55 is so narrow. Just a thought.

[patrick1234]

If you have a good fuge going your ok. And you can all ways add pods.

[eldalote2]

Yea, i noticed today that the 55 is really narrow... if i could get something thats the length of a standard 55 but wider that would be perfect!

[eldalote2]

oh man, thats one thing i didnt learn about at my LFS today... what a fuge was...

[patrick1234]

Really ez to make and will give you a place to grow pods.

[Marine1]

eldalote2, have you thought about going with a 75 gal tank - same length as a 55 48"L x 18"W x 21"T

55 is 48"L x 12 /2" W x 21" T

Oh yah, here is a pretty good DIY sump/fuge:YouTube - Reef Tank D.I.Y. Sump part 1

[eldalote2]

ok awesome, i will look into it, like i said, i have 5 months to learn learn learn!!!

[reefnoob1991]

The 75 gal is a minimum the mandarin should be kept in, because they eat so much. Most recommend not even thinking about adding one until after the tank has been setup over a year

[patrick1234]

you can keep them in smaler tanks you will just have to A have a fuge with lots of pods or B get copa pods of the net

[capitalb]

I managed to keep a mandarin in a thirty gal mini reef for a little over a year and lost him when I switched my tank.He wound up high and dry on a piece of live rock.Very disheartening.I have a pair now in my 90 gal reef that are doing great.They spawn every other night or more. They're eating frozen brine,and my pod population is thriving.I use reef bugs from Marc Weiss.I had to cut back on it because the pods were taking over.Too many.I can send you a little if you want to try it.You don't need much and you'll notice results almost immediately.Good luck! Bob

[gimmito]

I had a mandarin dragonet in my 55 gal and I highly recommend a fuge that is teaming with pods. You can try and train it to eat live foods such as brine shrimp (+ garlic extract , vitamins, & selcon). Eventually, you can switch over to frozen brine or mysis shrimp.

Choose your tankmates carefully...many other fish eat pod's !

Here's a pic of my old 55 gal

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...5gallon002.jpg

[ilovemash]

You have 5 months to plan for ur tank, but once you get everything running you still need to wait another 6-9 months before you can even consider putting one in your tank!

[eldalote2]

Yea, i know i have to wait to add the mandarin and to pick tankmates that leave pods alone. I heard about reef bugs on another chat in this forum and im thinking a pod breeding ground would be easiest for me.

[eldalote2]

awesome tank! the little mandarin is just chillaxing with his buddy's, very cool