Where have my Pods gone

[StephenA]

My tank had an abundance of Pods. Now I don't seem to have as many. My wife added a Striped/Green Mandarinfish to the tank. He managed to eat every(almost) single pod in the tank. He as since died. But the Pod population has not come back. There are a few in the sump and the drain but that's it! How do I get them back faster. My sand bad does not seem as healthy without them.

[Derek B]

How long had the tank been set up before adding theMandarin??? I added one after about a year in my 65, with no sump or refugium, and it thrived. Of course I did have some macros in the main tank that the pods used as a refuge. Pods never disappeared though.

I would recommend making a refugium area in your sump so the pods have a safe place to multiply.

[StephenA]

My tank was setup last June. Before the mandarin they were every where, the glass, rocks, sand, magnet cleaner, etc. I have some in the sump. Does it need a light in the sump? I do have some bits of live rock in there. I could always add more. Is there anywhere to get some to help jump start the reproduction.

[captexas]

A tank will only have as many pods as there is food for them to eat. If the food source decreases they will decrease. And as you found out, mandarins love to eat pods so that is another way to decrease the population. If you don't already have a refugium set up, I would recommend you doing so and putting some live rock and macro algae in it. This will help increase the population and add food for them. The quickest way to get more pods is to find someone with an established fuge that is looking to reduce their macro algae. Usually if you can get some macro from a fuge it will be loaded with pods. As you are in Cedar Park, try asking Tim Marvin. He usually has a good supply.

[StephenA]

How would you recommend I add a Refug to my current setup? I have the Oceanic 72Gal Bow Setup Reef Ready (http://www.oceanicsystems.com/products_aq_bow.html). I've got a 20G sump. But very little space in the room.