MikeYQM
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 489
So, after my Mystery Wrasse left the tank, I decided to add a cover & a Green Mandarin. I have a healthy pop population already, and have upgraded my refugium in sump to include live sand and more macro algae. I'll be adding a bottle of Dons Tiger Pods to help further grow out the population during training.
I'm trying to train the mandarin to eat prepared foods in a breeder trap. I started with a simple in tank breeder net, but after 2 days, it's just too dirty to keep going so I upgraded the setup. I bought a large Marina breeder box (Hang On) and modified it to run off my return line instead of an air pump. My hopes with this are two fold: it allows more water movement than the air pump, and it should allow some pods to escape the refugium into the breeder box for the mandarin to eat during training. I also added a small length of 1" flex tubing to help train him on the feeding station concept and give a little shelter.
Temp in the box is a steady 79 degrees, and has a pretty decent water exchange rate. The brine shrimp float around in the trap, but there's not TOO much current.
After 2 days he just started eating small frozen brine soaked in vitamins & garlic. Been picking about every 10s for 20mins. Off to a good start. Once he starts eating average sized brine shrimp, I'll introduce to the feeding station idea. Maybe if this works, I can get him a lady friend!
I'm trying to train the mandarin to eat prepared foods in a breeder trap. I started with a simple in tank breeder net, but after 2 days, it's just too dirty to keep going so I upgraded the setup. I bought a large Marina breeder box (Hang On) and modified it to run off my return line instead of an air pump. My hopes with this are two fold: it allows more water movement than the air pump, and it should allow some pods to escape the refugium into the breeder box for the mandarin to eat during training. I also added a small length of 1" flex tubing to help train him on the feeding station concept and give a little shelter.
Temp in the box is a steady 79 degrees, and has a pretty decent water exchange rate. The brine shrimp float around in the trap, but there's not TOO much current.
After 2 days he just started eating small frozen brine soaked in vitamins & garlic. Been picking about every 10s for 20mins. Off to a good start. Once he starts eating average sized brine shrimp, I'll introduce to the feeding station idea. Maybe if this works, I can get him a lady friend!