Will my tank sustain mandarin pair?

[Nasrath]

Hi guys, I know this has been discussed before and I probably read it, but I still cant decide if my tank is (or ever will be) ready for a mandarin pair. I have 130gal total volume, 20gal refugium that is full of live rock, macroalgae and pods. Tank is 10 months old, started with true live rock and for last 2 months i started to see pods on glass in display. It is steadily growing in numbers, but far from thousands of pods like in my old nano, that i had before this tank. I have few minor competitors in tank, one fairy wrasse, one flasher wrasse, aptasia eating filefish and cole tang (not a pod eater, but nonstop sraping rocs and glass). I'm not able to get biota mandarins as they are not available around, so they would have to be wild caught. I prefer Synchiropus picturatus anyway, and my LFS has them available in small size right now, so please help me decide if my tank is ready. Wellbeing of my fish is priority here, they are part of family, so if You think my tank will never be ready, please say so. I'm only getting them if im 100% sure that they can live well in my tank. Thank You and happy reefing! Filip

 

[KrisReef]

Based upon the qualifiers, “Family” and “ 100% sure, to quote the great philosopher Billy Idol; there is nothing sure in this world .
But if you want a more realistic opinion, that accounts for the current reality of life?

Get a pair that you want and feed the tank plankton for the best possible outcome, to be determined.

If I could make water into wine like Jesus, I would be a bar tender.

 

[kevgib67]

I definitely think you’re set, go for it! I have a pair in my 105 g with a 40 g sump with refugium. My tank was set up at the beginning of the year as an upgrade from an over four year 32g.

 

[Nasrath]

Based upon the qualifiers, “Family” and “ 100% sure, to quote the great philosopher Billy Idol; there is nothing sure in this world .
But if you want a more realistic opinion, that accounts for the current reality of life?

Get a pair that you want and feed the tank plankton for the best possible outcome, to be determined.

If I could make water into wine like Jesus, I would be a bar tender.

Yeah, I know nothing is certain and You are right that 100% is a bit unrealistic expectation. On a second thought, I think I can live with “good enough”.

 

[KrisReef]

Yeah, I know nothing is certain and You are right that 100% is a bit unrealistic expectation. On a second thought, I think I can live with “good enough”.

Excellent thread, made me remember the other guy in the magic, Steve Steven’s-amazing musician!

 

[Nasrath]

I definitely think you’re set, go for it! I have a pair in my 105 g with a 40 g sump with refugium. My tank was set up at the beginning of the year as an upgrade from an over four year 32g.

Great to hear, thank You!

 

[afboundguy]

I would say you're fine since your list of fish didn't include any other pod consumers.

I agree with @KrisReef about dosing phytoplankton in your tank. That will help the pod population explode.